Difficult Conversations in the Workplace – Burnaby

You interact with or manage people. There will be times when you need to speak with individuals about any number of topics and you think will not be received well. And sometimes we simply put those uncomfortable conversations off, until things come to a boiling point. Maybe you tried but things went badly. Or maybe you fear that talking about an issue will only make things worse. While you cannot control the reactions of others, you can prepare, anticipate, deescalate and keep the conversation going to a productive outcome.

In this session you will learn:

• How to prepare yourself for a difficult conversation

• How to anticipate possible responses from the other party and what to do when they come
• And some important skills that will help in any conversation

Presenter: Christian Codrington, CPHR

Christian has held senior management roles with a number of significant employers throughout his career prior to starting Forum HCM. In his previous engagement, Christian built the human resource function at the Industry Training Authority (ITA). This has included updating and implementing a revised compensation framework, marketing and updating the benefits plan and developing a performance management system.

Prior to this role and while at the Chartered Professional in Human Resources – BC (CPHR), he led teams responsible for professional development, metrics, and the office of the registrar for the CHRP designation. Christian was also responsible for government relations, starting the association down its path to become a self-regulated profession.

Before CPHR, Christian was with Best Buy Canada, leading a human resource team. He has also worked at Starbucks Coffee, as an employee/labour relations specialist and coach to senior leaders and staff; the Children’s & Women’s Health Centre of BC (C&W), and Service Canada in various HR/LR roles. In his previous jobs he has been responsible to deliver many human resource related initiatives, negotiated, interpreted and managed within the parameters of numerous collective agreements, as well as represented each organization at administrative tribunals, such as the Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal and small claims courts.

He has appeared in dozens of radio, print and television features including the Vancouver Sun/Province, Globe & Mail, Business in Vancouver, Global News, CBC News, the Current, the Early Edition providing expert commentary on human resource related subjects.

Christian graduated from Simon Fraser University with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration concentrating in Organizational Behaviour. He also supplemented those learnings with two certificates from the Justice Institute of BC. One in Conflict Resolution and Third Party Negotiation and another in Mediation.

What previous participants have said:

“Everything presented was on point. I chose this workshop because of the topic and was happy with it.”

“Very personable and involved those attending well through conversation.”

“Engaging!”

“Very experienced and knowledgeable presenter.”