In Partnership with Lange International
Strategies to listen and react during tough and unexpected conversations
How do you prepare for challenging conversations? Are you managing your tough questions with poise and confidence? Being prepared with strategies for navigating these key moments will build your confidence, create and maintain long lasting relationships, and drive understanding and action in those around you.
Upcoming course dates
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 12:30-3:00pm PT
Benefits of attending this online course
- Build and practice reflective listening skills and strategies
- Practice how to manage difficult conversations using a template for delivering bad news
- Learn strategies for maintaining relationships after tough conversations occur
- Manage key “moments of truth” with confidence to inspire action
Course Overview
Crucial to all levels of personal and professional development, being a good listener is a key communication skill. It builds trust, deepens relationships, and strengthens connections. Participants will learn and practice reflective listening strategies, as well as how to ask open-ended, high-value questions, to ensure alignment with others, uncover motivation, and create engagement. You will practice how to manage difficult conversations using a template for delivering bad news and consider strategies for maintaining the relationship after the conversation occurs.
This course is offered on its own or as part of the Business Communication Certificate.
Registration and Fees
Registration deadline: September 16, 2026
Program fee includes instruction and learning materials. Payment must be made by credit card or UW budget transfer prior to the program. Discounts are not applicable to UW Executive Education online classes. It is strongly encouraged that you register early as space is limited. See cancellation policies.
Course Facilitator
Christy Abele is a leadership coach, communication consultant, and facilitator who is committed to creating lasting transformation in her clients. She excels in helping executives find their unique voice and confidently navigate high-stakes communication moments. Clients partner with Christy to enhance their leadership communication skills, focusing on executive presence, audience connection, and creating clear and memorable messages.
She is an ICF-certified coach and Enneagram practitioner with a BS in Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and an MA in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. Having lived and worked in Spain and Mexico City, she is fluent in Spanish. Before joining Lange, Christy worked in the telecommunications industry in sales and field marketing, where she customized and executed training programs across the US, Europe, and Asia.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Christy enjoys hiking in Marin County and visiting her kids in New York and Fort Worth, while adjusting to life as an “empty nester” with her husband.
Partnership with Lange International
Lange International transforms leaders into great communicators. Their primary goal is to ensure each client is confident and prepared to make the most of every communication moment.
They help clients improve the WHAT and HOW of communication. From content creation and story development to executive presence and event coaching, they are experts in guiding leaders to connect and compel.
Since 2003, they have delivered communication workshops, leadership programs, executive coaching, and keynotes around the globe.