Critical Conversations for Technical Leaders

2-0-4 units · Graduate

Introduces frameworks for recognizing and engaging effectively in critical conversations in technical environments, including: situations involving competing incentives; complex organizational dynamics; and implications for safety, cost, and relationships. Instruction provided in assessing these situations through understanding stakeholder interests, recognizing sources of resistance, and developing approaches that sustain trust and steer conversations toward constructive outcomes. Class examples illustrate key moments conducive to critical conversations, such as: design reviews, failure reviews, proposal evaluations, and cross-functional interactions in technical contexts. Students engage in real and simulated dialogues and receive structured feedback on conversational effectiveness. Limited to 24.