Using AI to Prepare for Difficult Conversations Course Online

This course includes

8 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Access to class recordings (30 days)
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution

This course is offered by ADR Vantage, Inc., a leading conflict resolution firm with more than 30 years of experience partnering with federal agencies and other organizations to develop programs that strengthen collaboration, manage conflict, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

No magic wand exists for difficult conversations, but this course comes pretty close. Using Claude and other free, publicly available AI tools as your personal preparation coach, you will learn how to prepare for and navigate the conversations many people avoid, delay, or mishandle at work and in life. Hard conversations do not get easier with time. Walking in unprepared or relying on language that does not sound like you can make them even more challenging.

Whether you are addressing a performance issue, working through conflict with a peer, delivering feedback to someone who does not receive it well, preparing for a high-stakes conversation with leadership, or navigating a difficult situation outside of work, this course offers a clear, step-by-step approach to using AI effectively. You will learn to prompt AI in a way that reflects your own voice, anticipates how others may respond, and allows you to practice before the actual conversation takes place. You will finish with a personalized plan and a repeatable approach you can turn to whenever a difficult conversation arises, whether at work or in everyday life.

Full Tuition

$899
Due before the class starts

This course includes

8 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Access to class recordings (30 days)
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution

Why Learn at VDCI?

Hands-on training

Work on projects proven to boost retention

Time-tested curriculum

Refined over many years for an optimal learning experience

This training will definitely help my career. I was able to show my supervisor and co-workers what the software programs have to offer and what I'm capable of when the time comes for creating that construction design team in the future. I was able to provide documentation to my employer that the money spent was well worth it. The training I received at VDCI will become an asset moving forward.
—Donahue Chase

Learn from AEC industry experts

Experienced educators who are driven to help you succeed

Receive support from course instructors

Get help when you need it

100% Online. Start Anytime

24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in VDCI online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Expert Instructors

Our instructors are industry experts and experienced educators, driven to help you succeed.

Reid Johnson

Instructor

Matt F.

Instructor

David Sellers

Instructor

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

Shareable on

Sample credential for completion of Using AI to Prepare for Difficult Conversations Course Online

male student at computer workstation taking revit course

Using AI to Prepare for Difficult Conversations Course Online Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Prompt AI effectively to receive coaching level guidance rather than generic advice
Develop a personal communication style profile so AI output genuinely sounds like you
Anticipate how the other person is likely to respond in a difficult conversation and prepare accordingly
Shape and refine an opening and approach that invites dialogue rather than escalating tension
Practice in real time using AI role play and evaluate your own performance through debriefing
Walk away with a complete, personalized conversation plan ready for immediate use

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Why AI? Setting the Stage

The avoidance cycle and what it costs us.
What AI can and cannot do in conversation preparation.
Overview of tools: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Pi.
The personalization gap and why generic prompts produce generic results.
Your first prompt, including unguided practice and debrief.

Module 2: Teaching AI Who You Are

The four dimensions of communication style: directness, warmth, formality, and emotional expression.
Building your Communication Style Profile.
Putting your profile to work through before-and-after comparison.
Common profile mistakes and how to fix them.

Module 3: Teaching AI About the Other Person

Why the other person's profile matters.
Building a Person Profile, including style, triggers, interests, and what makes them receptive.
Using AI to anticipate reactions and stress-test your approach.
Understanding the limits: AI sees only your perspective.

Module 4: Preparing Your Opening Statement

The three-part anatomy of an effective opener.
Five common opener mistakes and why they backfire.
Drafting multiple versions with AI feedback.
Refining your opener through iteration and peer review.

Module 5: Practice Mode — Role-Playing with AI

Why practicing a conversation is different from rehearsing a monologue.
Setting up a realistic AI role-play.
Running a five-exchange practice simulation.
Debriefing with AI: what you noticed and what to adjust.

Module 6: Your Personal Conversation Plan

The six-part Conversation Plan framework.
Building your plan with AI section by section.
Using AI after the conversation through the post-conversation debrief prompt.
Closing reflection and next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the target audience for this course?

This course is a strong fit for individual contributors, HR and people operations professionals, managers, supervisors, team leads, and anyone who regularly navigates conflict, performance issues, team or interpersonal dynamics, or high stakes communication as part of their work.

Is this course open to beginners?

Yes, this course is open to beginners. Students must be comfortable using a computer. No other prior knowledge is required.

Do you offer payment plans or student financing for this course?

This course does not qualify for payment plans or student financing. See our Payment Options FAQ to find related programs that qualify.

How long do I have access to the course materials?

This course is available for 30 days.
You can choose when to start your access period. Once you activate, you will have 30 days to complete it (access the course materials, quizzes, projects and videos). You may request one extension of seven (7) days. Other extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Videos are not downloadable.

What is the cancellation and refund policy for this single course?

For this course, you are entitled to a 90% refund (your payment less the nonrefundable 10% registration fee) within 30 days of purchase if you have not accessed the course materials.

What’s included with my tuition?

A hands-on learning experience working on projects and exercises, which is proven to boost comprehension, retention, and engagement
Expert instructors who are industry professionals and experienced educators that are driven to help you succeed
Expert support with answers to your questions from real instructors throughout your learning journey
Top-notch curricula that have been tried and tested over many years and are consistently improved for an optimal learning experience
30-day access to class recordings to review material at your own pace
A certificate of completion to verify your accomplishment
The confidence of learning at an accredited institution

Are there any additional fees or expenses?

There are no extra fees or taxes for our courses. The price you see on this page is the maximum you’ll pay us.

However, you may need to obtain required software. We’ll help you get set up with a free trial of paid software prior to the class. Most of our coding classes utilize freely-available open-source software. For most of our design and motion graphics courses, we will help you get set up with a free trial of Adobe Creative Cloud. If you attend the course in-person, we will have a computer already set up for you with all of the required software for no additional cost.

Do you offer any discounts for this course?

We don’t currently offer discounts as we do our best to affordably prices our courses.

Corporate & Onsite AI Classes Online Training

Purchase group class vouchers at a discount for our regularly-scheduled group classes, or create a custom training program at your offices.

Private Training

Available onsite at your location
Modern computer labs available at our offices
Customize or choose from our existing courses
Free instructor consultations to finalize content

Group Class Vouchers

Send employees to our group classes
Extensive offerings and flexible scheduling
Simple billing and logistics
Computers and training resources provided

Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$899.00	Total You Pay