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\u201cWhere do you feel s<\/span>tuck<\/span><\/i>?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a question often echoed in training rooms around the world as leaders and professionals from all variations of industry work to master a new approach to communication through VitalSmarts\u2019 Crucial Conversations training. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe ability to talk to almost anyone about almost anything!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a powerful tag line, and one that VitalSmarts delivers on as their curriculum is currently being used in 300 of the Fortune 500 companies in countries around the world and now\u2026.for the first time ever\u2026at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga through the Center for Professional Education. <\/span><\/p>\n Through a strategic partnership with VitalSmarts, the Center for Professional Education (CPE) is able to deliver this training to organizations of all sizes who previously would not have had access to the material. It\u2019s a unique partnership for VitalSmarts as they typically only allow their products to be licensed within individual companies. Their educational partnership with UTC is somewhat different in that the CPE is allowed the market the course and make it available to companies across the region and even the nation. <\/span><\/p>\n Now the CPE is breaking new ground once again as they take this proven, well researched program from the business world applying it to the realities of the non-profit social services sector. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n CPE Assistant Director Duggan expands on the idea as she explains the approach. \u201cWe know that Crucial Conversations is effective. Sound research and a proven track record show us that. But it\u2019s not <\/span>just<\/span><\/i> about the corporate clients. It\u2019s also about creating opportunities for the CPE to provide services for those professionals who have great need for the skills but not access to the training. We want to eliminate these barriers as we find ways to create engagement and reach new audiences.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n It sounds ambitious, yet they are doing just that. After careful research the CPE team uncovered a need within another state agency, the OCJP. Where the CPE had the training, the certifications, the instructor and the materials, OCJP had the staff in need of a fresh approach to a common problem. CPE and OCJP decided to target the training to directors and employees of Domestic Violence Shelters across the state of Tennessee to enhance their communication skills. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThese individuals are highly skilled and highly dedicated,\u201d adds John Freeze, the Director of the Center for Professional Education. \u201cYet every single day they are dealing with conversation after conversation that has the potential to become crucial at any moment. We recognize this need and are thrilled to help them gain new skills and insights as they work to balance the needs of both their internal and external customers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This partnership not only extends past the reach of UTC, but it also clearly demonstrates the CPE\u2019s ability to customize their approach to fit the unique needs of the customer.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs we prepared to launch this series of courses, we really took the time to understand the true time needs of the employees involved,\u201d Carrie Woods, the VitalSmarts Certified Instructor for CPE talked excitedly about the partnership and its nuances. \u201cIt was extremely interesting to learn that <\/span>yes<\/span><\/i> they did face some unique conversations due to their roles, but they also balanced that with some of the same day to day issues we find in our corporate clients. Teamwork, communication, clarity and accountability\u2026.these are all things professionals face at work regardless of what logo happens to be on the wall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n It is clear talking with this group that they are excited about the possibilities this partnership brings. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJust look at the reach,\u201d points out Duggan. \u201cWe already have programs running from February through May of 2019 and covering over half of the geography of Tennessee. And those are only the OCJP sessions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about giving our participants the ability to take action and find success,” Woods adds. \u201cProfessional education is very different. For us, it\u2019s not about the end goal of the course credit or the degree, instead it is about helping individuals find success. It\u2019s about giving them tools and techniques they can apply <\/span>today<\/span><\/i> that have the power to generate immediate results. And Crucial Conversations has the ability to do just that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The CPE is certainly making a name for itself. Not just with the OCJP grant, but also with the closer relationships and clear results they are generating within professionals and organizations throughout the region. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe strive to offer our clients the best possible solutions for their biggest obstacles,\u201d sums up Freeze, and the statement seems to fit. It may be that OCJP is just the beginning.”<\/span><\/p>\n
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