Navigating Tough Conversations

What’s the one conversation you know you need to have?

Uncomfortable conversations are inevitable and your success is often shaped by how willing you are to have them and how well you handle them.

This interactive workshop focuses on one of the most essential leadership skills: navigating difficult dialogue with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Grounded in research on workplace conflict, you’ll explore the real cost of avoidance and its impact on teams, culture, and outcomes. Through practical tools, real-world examples, and candid stories, you’ll gain a repeatable framework to prepare for, navigate, and follow up on challenging conversations.

Learn how to:

Prepare with intention and clarity
Manage emotional triggers and respond effectively
Communicate directly while maintaining trust
Navigate conflict productively
Follow through to drive understanding and results

You’ll leave with a clear, practical blueprint and the confidence to finally have the conversations that matter most.

Facilitated by Jessica Pfister, Senior Director of Operations for The Ohio State University’s Outpatient Care Centers, this session draws on her leadership experience in complex healthcare environments, along with her background in speech-language pathology and business. Jess is a passionate coach and national speaker on leadership, communication, and inclusion.

1:45pm – 2:00pm Security Check-In (bring photo ID)

2:00pm – 4:00pm Workshop