In the Moment: Moving from automatic reaction to intentional communication

​Ever walk away from conversations wishing you'd said things differently?

​Ever walk away from a tense moment realizing you just agreed to something you didn't want, apologized or over-explained unnecessarily?

​In uncomfortable social or professional moments, it's easy to default to automatic protective habits. We react just to relieve the immediate tension, rather than choosing a response that actually moves the conversation towards what we want.

The best way to replace old habits with new skills is to try different options face-to-face. This session is designed to be a low pressure space to learn and practice new approaches.

​The Plan:

• ​Discuss: What do you usually do when there's pressure or confusion?

• ​Debrief: Look at real conversations to see where communication breaks down.

• ​Practice: Try out new ways to understand and be understood in a low-pressure setting.

​This is for people who want to:

• ​Advocate for yourself in awkward or difficult situations.

• ​Understand what a conversation needs in the moment and how to find the words

• ​Leave conversations feeling satisfied with how you showed up as a listener, partner, friend, community member

​Hosted by: Alissa Ballestrin
I’ve been people improve their communication and conflict navigation skills for over 10 years, focusing on the moments where conversations break down, and people aren’t sure what to do next.

​I don’t believe there’s one “right” way to communicate. We’re all different, and I'm dedicated to helping people navigate those differences in the most constructive way for the individuals involved. That includes building the skills to handle disagreement, give and receive feedback, and stay engaged in conversations that feel uncomfortable.