# Using AI to Prepare for Difficult Conversations Course Online Canonical URL: ## Overview 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. ## What you'll learn - 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 ## Curriculum #### 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. ## Instructors ### Reid Johnson — Instructor Reid isn't just someone who knows CAD and BIM; he's a licensed architect and contractor who deeply integrates these technologies into every facet of his career. His hands-on experience as a practitioner building real-world projects provides him with an invaluable understanding of how BIM and CAD streamline workflows and enhance design. This practical foundation led him to Autodesk, where he shared his expertise, helping others effectively leverage these powerful tools. Throughout his professional journey, Reid also dedicates himself to education, consistently teaching university courses and shaping the next generation of design professionals by equipping them with essential CAD skills. His unique blend of practical experience, industry knowledge gained at Autodesk, and passion for teaching positions Reid as a true specialist in BIM and CAD technology, capable of bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. **Credentials:** - Autodesk Fusion Certified User - Autodesk Revit Certified Professional - Autodesk Certified Instructor - Licensed Architect - Licensed General Contractor ### David Nguyen — Instructor David is the AEC Software Specialist at VDCI, with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and an Associate’s degree of science in Drafting and General Design from ITT Technical Institute. A San Diego native with over 12 years working in the Design Industry and construction industry, David brings his construction and design expertise to help all students achieve their goals in the field. Outside of his professional life, David loves attending concerts, festivals, playing his guitar and restoring and repairing all types of vehicles. **Credentials:** - OSHA 30 hr. Construction Safety Certified - Construction Software: SketchUp, Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Suite (AutoCAD, Fusion, REVIT) - Mechanical Software: PTC CREO Parametric, Solidworks, MasterCAM ## Pricing **Tuition:** $899