In technical environments, communication breakdowns can derail projects, strain teams, and lead to costly misunderstandings. This course introduces a structured approach to workplace conversations, helping participants align on business outcomes, manage emotional triggers, and communicate with clarity and confidence. Through real-world examples and a step-by-step model (5S-5F-3A), attendees will gain tools to navigate difficult discussions, resolve conflict, and lead with influence.

• Apply a structured model (5S-5F-3A) to plan and deliver high-stakes conversations.
• Recognize emotional triggers and use recovery techniques to keep conversations on track.
• Use storytelling, questioning, and listening skills to align conversations with business goals.

• Engineers and technical professionals aspiring to leadership roles
• Project managers and team leads working across disciplines
• Experienced managers seeking to improve communication and conflict resolution

Establishing a mutual goal

• Getting aligned to a shared business outcome
• Eliminating detracting secondary goals

Recognizing what makes a conversation emotional

• Trigger words to avoid
• The role of unshared context

Understanding the advanced 5S-5F-3A communication model

• Critical elements of advanced communications

Making it emotionally safe to speak the brutal truth

• Advanced conversation skills, including listening and questioning

Mastering storytelling

• Understanding the games we play
• Defusing the games they play

Difficult conversations—dealing with the really tough cases

• Dealing with high conflict situations
• What to do when things go badly
• Toolkit  of opening and recovery phases

Closing well – Getting agreed outcome and action plan

Trevor Manning

Trevor Manning is an accomplished author, leaderhsip consultant, and trainer with extensive international experience leading technical teams. He has held roles such as chief engineer, technical director, Chief Operating Officer, and board advisor.

With a diverse background spanning various companites including a large government-owned utility, a US-headquartered manufacturer, an international London headquartered start-up, and a privately owned telecommunications operator, Trevor offers valuable insights into real-world business operations.

Trevor leads three training courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on practical insights derived from his wealth of experience.

Effectively Managing Technical Teams

Leadership Beyond Your Team: Managing Up and Across

Critical Conversations: Results-based Communication

Trevor has published several technical and leadership books and lives in Brisbane, Australia.