"Artificial intelligence is going to do many things for us in the decades ahead, and replace humans at many tasks, but one thing it will never be able to do is to create person-to-person connections. If you want to thrive in the age of AI, you better become exceptionally good at connecting with others,” writes David Brooks in How to Know a Person. In this 1.5-hour workshop, you’ll participate in an exercise that creates connection and develops skills that improve working relationships and outcomes.

Testimonials from attendees:

• "This experience accelerates relationship building."
• "Short listening sessions can be so impactful when you are totally present."

When you participate in this customized 1.5+ hour session, you will learn to identify and practice an essential skill that will help you collaborate more effectively, find common ground, demonstrate respect, and possibly change the world.

Testimonials from attendees:

• "We learn more when everyone owns a piece of the conversation."
• "I'm reminded others struggle with similar issues."

Testimonial from attendee:

• “The presenter and the material were very effective and impactful for helping our department with better communication skills.”

Learn how to speak persuasively, foster teamwork, and make better decisions, based on the best-selling book, Crucial Conversations®. This 6-8 hour online self-paced course includes downloadable tip sheets and e-book, plus 1:1 UNM Ombuds Services coaching, support, and check-ins.

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Testimonials from attendees:

• “Great content. Really appreciated working with the ombuds, who is clearly an expert in this work. Eager to learn more and implement it personally and professionally.”
• “I really like the Crucial Conversations course because it offers some very practical tips and resources that I can tap into when I need them.”

This course teaches a process and skills for managing performance, from coaching through behavior challenges, to helping people get back on track when performance falters. Anchored on the foundations of holding impactful dialogue (Crucial Conversations®), this course focuses on skills for candidly and respectfully holding others accountable. This 6-8 hour online self-paced course includes downloadable tip sheets and e-book, plus 1:1 UNM Ombuds Services coaching, support, and check-ins.

It is recommended you take Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue® (above) first.

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Testimonials from attendees:

• “This course helped me out to come out of my comfort zone and think about having crucial conversations in my life, which I always have been avoiding.”
• “I have already recommended this course to two other colleagues. Thank you for such a great learning opportunity!”

This customizable session can support groups and teams. Groups focus on their culture in order to support their mission, goals, and strategies. Teams come together to identify and share their internal and/or external core values and behaviors.

This session is based on the research Dr. Brené Brown shared in her book, Dare to Lead.

Testimonials from attendees:

• “The process really pulled our group together to focus on common values and goals."
• "We started a problem-solving process that will continue, built on a very solid foundation.” 
• “This process guided me to conceptualize what is satisfying about my job, what is frustrating, what I have the power to do to help affect change, and then enact a plan to place these steps in motion.” 

Times of change are often defined by wrestling with the unknown and what’s out of our control. In this two-hour workshop, you and your team explore how to find solid ground in these uncertain and often stressful times.  Available to groups upon request.

Testimonials from attendees:

• "I have a new relationship instead of an acquaintance."
• "Conversations in a safe space are needed."

Brief introduction to how Ombuds Services can support you and your team. (15 minute presentation with 5 minutes for Q and A).

In this one-hour interactive workshop, you'll learn to identify the opportunities presented by each conflict that arises, as well as the skills useful in realizing those opportunities.

Specifically for Crucial Conversations graduates and mediators, join the Ombuds Services staff and your colleagues for an enriching hour of (low pressure) skills practice. The focus of the session is to practice skills that empower effective problem-solving. To attend this one-hour session, enjoy good company, and have fun practicing skills, email Anne Lightsey at alight01@unm.edu.

Testimonials from attendees:

• "I look forward to the Skills Practice sessions – every time I am reminded of how helpful these skills are in life overall, not to mention the workplace." 
• "I was reminded how this practice truly improves conversation outcomes and how warming it is to listen and to be heard. I look forward to doing this again."
• "I love these sessions and look forward to many more ahead.  The hour kept me high flying the rest of the day!"

In this 1-hour workshop, you will reflect on the multiple variables that impact how to respond when someone wants to disclose to you an account of sexual misconduct. You’ll explore 8 of these variables and learn how to communicate your decision supportively. 

Note: Although we do not talk about the details of sexual violence, we do talk about disclosures of sexual violence.

In this hands-on 45-minute workshop, you will learn how to let someone know, in a clear and supportive way, that you are a Mandated Reporter. Mandated Reporters include UNM Faculty, Staff, Student Employees, Teaching Assistants, and Graduate Assistants. This designation requires that any report of sexual misconduct made must be reported to the Office of Compliance, Ethics and Equal Opportunity (CEEO).   

Note: Although we do not talk about the details of sexual violence, we do talk about disclosures of sexual violence.

In this 30-minute presentation, you'll learn the essential DOs and DON'Ts for listening supportively without causing unintentional harm. You'll be introduced to 4 basic tools to help you foster a safe and supportive environment for those speaking up about sexual violence and misconduct.

Note: Although we do not talk about the details of sexual violence, we do talk about disclosures of sexual violence.