Course Overview
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.
Who Should Attend
- 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
Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Course Outline
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
Instructor
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.
Upcoming dates (1)
Critical Conversations Results-based Communication
Location: Madison, WI
Course #: RA01567-E187
Fee: $1,695
interpro.wisc.edu/RA01567
Fee
- $1,695
In-person course fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, and course materials.
Discounts
10% discount per person for participants registered in the Technical Leadership Certificate series. Promo code needed during registration.
When three or more sign up from the same employer, they receive 10% off the registration fee per person.
Credits
- CEU: 1.4
- PDH: 14
Schedule
Registration Date/Time:
5/19/2027 07:30am Central Time
Event Dates/Times:
- 5/19/2027 8:30am - 4:30pm Central Time
- 5/20/2027 8:30am - 4:30pm Central Time
Course Notes
Recommended Reading
Purchase of the Help! I Need to Master Critical Conversations book is strongly recommended. The book can be purchased here.
This course is taught in-person only in Madison, WI. Active attendance is required to receive the course certificate. Seats are limited. Please enroll now if you are interested and to avoid being waitlisted.
This course uses the Canvas course management and Zoom platforms. A UW NetID is required to access Canvas and supplemental course materials and resources. Your registration confirmation email will walk you through the NetID process and how to access the Canvas course website.
Please watch your registration email (including spam/junk folders) for course updates from a “wisc.edu” address.
Hotel Room Booking Options
The reservation links for several hotels are listed under the Location and Lodging tab above. These links offer our students discounted room rates. Please note that prices may change or the rooms may sell out as the course start date gets closer. The links will stay active until all rooms are booked. If you do not see any available rooms, the hotel is fully booked.
Instructor
Trevor Manning
Location
Accommodations
Room: rates start at $160
Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.
Accommodations include: Enjoy complimentary business center, WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, 42-inch HDTV, and executive desk. Parking available $15/night.
Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.