Dr. Jane Long currently serves as the Director of Learning, Development and Coaching at the American Dental Association, providing development opportunities to 362 staff members. Since 2003, she has worked with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks creating online learning opportunities and served as the Director of Professional Development for four years. Prior to her work with non-profits, Dr. Long spent 18 years in higher education as both a faculty member and high-level administrator. She has presented education sessions at national, state, and local conferences and taught online and on campus for several colleges and universities across the country. She finds great joy in facilitating sessions that provide others with new knowledge and tools. 

Many ‘defining’ moments in life come from having crucial conversations, as they create significant shifts in attitude and behavior. This course focuses on techniques for holding such conversations in a positive space when surrounded by highly charged emotions. The content of this course and the accompanying book are based on 25 years of research with 20,000 people. You will learn the steps necessary to remove your emotions from the conversation and move toward a healthy dialogue to resolve any type of conflict.

Through engagement with the course concepts provided in Crucial Conversations, learners will:

• Recognize and hold high-stakes conversations in which there are differing opinions and strong emotions.

• Stay in dialogue under pressure

• Create psychological safety

• Separate facts from stories

• Communicate clearly and persuasively

• Listen effectively

• Turn dialogue into action