Breaking the behavioural barriers to difficult conversations

About this event

Why do we avoid hard conversations? Explore how 'discounting' & 'passivity' can help shape HR’s toughest moments.

Join John Parr, psychologist and creator of the Emotional Assertiveness model to learn more about:

• The types of difficult conversations HR professionals must lead — including truth-to-power, restructuring, and performance management.
• How unconscious behaviours such as Discounting and Passivity show up in themselves and others during high-stakes conversations.
• The psychological and organisational consequences of avoiding or softening difficult messages.
• Navigating difficult conversations with clarity, courage, and compassion.
• How your own behavioural patterns may reinforce or challenge organisational dynamics.

We are delighted to welcome our guest speaker, John Parr.

John has worked in the field of emotional intelligence and psychotherapy for over 40 years. His career began in the Royal Navy as an electronics engineer before transitioning into more people-focused roles in the 1970s.

John has managed a rehabilitation centre for substance abusers, worked as a Senior Probation Officer, and as an HR manager in a multinational company. Since 1988, John has run his own consultancy, specialising in management and training solutions for multinational organisations, with a strong focus on stress management,emotional intelligence, communication skills and workplace relationships.

In the 1990s, John intoduced The Emotional Assertiveness Model, a unique approach to fostering healthy, respectful, and productive relationships in both personal and professional settings.

John is the author of a number of books:

• 'Fore-Play, Fair-Play & Foul-Play' - a book on The Emotional Assertiveness Model (Emotional Assertiveness®)
• 'What’s Love Got to Do With It?: Harnessing the Power of Love in Your Relationships' - a captivating exploration of how love is vital to survival and well-being.
• 'Parlez-vous Personality' - a book introducing the Process Communication Model® (PCM).

Please note:

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5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.
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