Mastering Hard Conversations
How do you say what needs to be said when emotions run high, intentions get questioned, and the other person sees things completely differently?
Join us for Mastering Hard Conversations, a hands-on workshop led by William Falcão, PhD. This session goes beneath the surface of conflict to explore why conversations become difficult and how to move through them with clarity, curiosity, and confidence.
Whether you're addressing a tension with a colleague, giving difficult feedback, or finally having the conversation you've been avoiding, you'll leave with a practical framework and a reusable planning tool you can apply in both professional and personal situations.
Why this matters
Hard conversations are rarely difficult because of the facts alone. They become difficult when different interpretations, emotions, assumptions about intent, concerns about fairness, and questions about identity all enter the same room. Avoiding them often costs more than having them, but having them well requires more than good intentions.
This workshop gives you those tools in a supportive, no-pressure environment designed to help women strengthen both competence and confidence in the moments that matter most.
About the Speaker
William Falcão, PhD, is an educator, researcher, and consultant specializing in negotiation, communication, and people management. He has taught negotiation at Concordia University's John Molson School of Business and has also taught at McGill University, HEC Montréal, Université de Montréal, and several colleges. Across his academic career, he has taught thousands of post-secondary students, developing an approach that combines evidence-based frameworks with practical application, discussion, and experiential learning.
Through Capacitas Enablement, Dr. Falcao designs and delivers training that helps professionals strengthen negotiation, communication, influence, and interpersonal effectiveness. His work includes training for professionals, young people entering the workforce, small business owners, and organizations seeking practical tools for complex workplace interactions. He has also collaborated with the Brazilian Consulate in Montreal to prepare Brazilian small and medium-sized enterprise owners to expand into the Canadian market and navigate cross-cultural negotiations.
His facilitation style is interactive and application-focused. Rather than treating difficult conversations as scripts to memorize, he helps participants understand the dynamics beneath conflict, practice concrete communication skills, and build adaptable tools they can use in real situations.
Who we are:
Troisième Cercle is a private members club for professional women who want deeper conversations, real connections, and thoughtfully curated experiences around the city where ambition meets authenticity.
What to Expect:
9:00 AM: Arrival & Coffee
Coffee, pastries, and fruits to fuel the conversation.
9:15 AM: Analyze: Why Conversations Become Hard
Uncover the layers beneath a difficult conversation: competing stories, assumptions about intent, blame, feelings, and identity. Reflect on a conversation of your own (no need to share it).
10:05 AM: Reflect: What's Going On Beneath the Surface
Learn to distinguish genuine feelings from judgments and interpretations, and identify the underlying needs driving each person's reactions.
10:45AM: 15 minute break
11:00AM: Communicate: From Understanding to Dialogue
Practice opening a conversation without triggering defensiveness using the "Third Story," asking genuine questions, and listening until the other person feels understood, because understanding isn't the same as agreeing.
11:50AM: Practice: Having the Hard Conversation
Put it all together in a two-sided simulation where each person holds a legitimate but incomplete perspective, and discover the other side's story through dialogue.
12:30PM: Wrap-Up & Takeaways
Share insights and leave with your own Hard Conversation Planner, ready to reuse for the conversations ahead.
This session is interactive, approachable, and designed for all levels. No prior participation in previous workshops is required.
No Shows/Cancellations:
If you’re unable to attend, please let us know at least 48 hours in advance by emailing info@troisiemecercle.com. Cancellations before this deadline are eligible for a refund.