Preferred registration deadline: October 2nd

3 CEs

Many workplace challenges are quickly labeled as resistance. Employees are described as disengaged, teams are viewed as difficult, and conflict is often framed as a lack of cooperation. However, what appears to be resistance is frequently the result of a misalignment in expectations, communication, values, roles, and/or organizational culture.

This interactive workshop invites participants to rethink how they understand and respond to tension in helping professions. Through discussion, reflection, and practical skill-building, participants will explore the root causes of workplace misalignment and how it impacts team functioning, employee well-being, and service delivery. Particular attention will be given to the role of psychological safety, communication, leadership, and equity in creating healthy workplace environments. Drawing from experiences in healthcare, mental health, and community-based settings, this session will provide actionable tools for navigating difficult conversations, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and addressing conflict with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Participants will leave with strategies they can immediately apply to strengthen relationships, improve team dynamics, and cultivate more responsive and equitable workplace cultures.

This is an interactive synchronous distance learning course via Zoom.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 45.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Intermediate

Target Audiences: Social workers, healthcare professionals (nurses, physicians, therapists, behavioral health providers, case managers, patient advocates), nonprofit professionals, program managers and directors, supervisors and team leads, community health workers, public health professionals, educators and trainers, and organizational leaders interested in workplace culture, equity, and team effectiveness. This content is particularly relevant for those leading teams.

Agenda:

• Welcome, Introductions - 5 mins
• Setting the Stage - 15 mins
• Understanding Misalignment: What We Often Mistake for Resistance- 30 mins
• The Impact of Communication, Culture, and Leadership on Team Dynamics - 30 mins
• Psychological Safety, Trust, and Workplace Tension - 30 mins
• Practical Strategies for Navigating Difficult Conversations - 30 mins
• Moving from Defensiveness to Curiosity: Building Collaborative Teams - 30 mins
• Translating Insight into Action, Closing Reflections & Next Steps - 10 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Differentiate between resistance and misalignment by identifying common organizational, interpersonal, and systemic factors that contribute to workplace tension and communication breakdowns.
• Apply strategies for navigating difficult conversations that promote psychological safety, curiosity, and collaboration across teams with differing perspectives and roles.
• Identify an action plan to address misalignment within their workplace through improved communication, role clarity, and equity-centered leadership practices.

Course Completion Requirements:

The Brown School is an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois. To earn credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. You may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs if you miss part of the training. CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available.

For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancellation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries, please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.