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Coaching Consulting Training

Inspiring Workforce Excellence

What is SMART Conversations®?

SMART Conversations® is a facilitated training that builds advanced communication skills resulting in increased organizational effectiveness – one conversation at a time. Our principles, concepts and skills create the “psychological safety” needed to foster inclusivity and create best places to work. Once you have the common language of SMART Conversations® in place, your teams will get things done more easily, get along, be authentic, demonstrate respect, strengthen trust and stay. When your culture lives and breathes the four core conditions of SMART Conversations®, everything is possible.

1. Shared Meaning – are we talking about the same thing?
2. Authenticity – are we being ‘real’ with one another?
3.Respect – Are we demonstrating respect by listening to all perspectives?
4. Trust – are we willing to extend trust to each other?
Our Value

How would your organization benefit if your teams were performing at peak levels consistently?

How do you position your organization to deliver and sustain team effectiveness? What is the organizational value of attracting and retaining top talent?

We can ensure that you produce these organizational benefits by teaching you what SMART Conversations® are and how to have them. Whether your organization is in the private, public, or non-profit sector, our specialized facilitated training is a platform for culture transformation and a practical results-based tool to significantly:

ENHANCE TEAM EFFECTIVENESS

ENHANCE RECRUITING & RETENTION

INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY & PROFITABILITY

GROW SALES

IMPROVE CLIENT SERVICE

Our Past Performance

Previous Clients

Testimonials

Our customer reviews

“As a team leader, I very much value the insight of these SMART Conversations® modules.  I’ve taken them twice, and both times there were points where I’ve paused and thought “Ooh! Have I done that?” Or “ “Maybe I should try this approach…”  This training has been invaluable.”

Dr. Paula Sturdevant Rees

Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, College of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Your organization’s success depends on effective teamwork, mutual respect and the ability to resolve conflict. There is a solution, a fantastic solution.  I know because I twice participated in a learning program that shaped how I interact with co-workers, clients, family and friends.  In fact, more than 30,000 people have participated in SMART Conversations® learning programs. You will be glad you did too.

Doug Reed

CEO, Meridian Associates

We have been working with SMART Conversations® (SC) for about 5 years now and, during that time, we have found their SC learning programs to be very popular amongst our staff. We are currently going through a growth phase and getting everyone on the same page with our Core Values (CV) is important to us.  

Paul and Michele incorporated our core values into their SC culture-shaping learning program creating a great program called “Living Our Core Values (LOCV)”. The program centers on socializing and embedding our CV into our staff’s day-to-day work, and it has shown great results here.  

Qualitatively, we knew people loved the LOCV course and felt they could apply it to their jobs immediately.

But what was most gratifying is the results of our recent employee engagement survey, which was up significantly from last year, despite a very challenging year brought on by the COVID pandemic.  We are in the midst of an enterprise-wide approach, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.

Steven Snyder

VP of Human Resources, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center

In my career, I have managed several corporate Project Management Offices (PMOs) and SMART Conversations® is another great tool in a project manager’s (PM) toolbox.  PMs are responsible for managing teams, facilitating buy-in, driving results, removing obstacles, and motivating team members.  SMART Conversations® provides the perfect complement to project management and aids in building high-performing, collaborative teams.  I believe in the five principles and four core conditions of SMART Conversations® so much so that I have been certified as a SMART Conversations® facilitator and integrated the tools and techniques into my personal and professional ‘tool box’.

Jill D’Arbeloff

President, Strategic Planning Healthcare Consultant

I highly recommend enrolling in this meaningful program. We received a MA Express Grant to assist with the SMART Conversations® training. The preparatory exercises and program actively engaged everyone at our company.  Many people emphasized the value of discussing important topics in small focus groups with their colleagues, and the insight that resulted. Our staff provided an overwhelming positive rating of 94% good to excellent for the program.

George G. Preble

PE, LSP, President, Beals + Thomas
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Workforce Training Fund Program

The Express Program provides employers fast, simple access to grant-funded training, helping businesses in Massachusetts respond to emerging needs.

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The Difference

What’s different about SMART Conversations®?

Unlike other communications programs, SMART Conversations® gives people a valuable toolkit that revolves around five principles. Why is that important? Difficult situations require cool heads that manage the tendency to go into “avoid” or “attack” trigger styles. By applying the principles of SMART Conversations®, you are always prepared to go into a conversation with the skills you need to have a productive outcome. That is why SMART Conversations® is, well, smart and practical. You don’t need to memorize a litany of acronyms to apply in different situations. Our engaging principle-based—rather than situation-based—formula empowers you to respond with candor and compassion—even in the heat of the moment.

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