Testimonials
Thousands of managers, leaders and other professionals have attended Bill Cropper's Dealing with Difficult Discussions clinic over the past few years with overwhelmingly favourable feedback. Here's a selection of comments from just some of those who've attended…
"Fabulous learning experience. Anyone who has to deal with difficult discussions should do this course. Bill is a dynamic facilitator who deals with participants contributions in a positive and learning way." Georgina McGrath – Nursing Manager, Princess Alexandra Hospital
"The course really hit the mark with me – it was well structured and flowed naturally from concept to concept. Concepts were highly relevant and easy to understand and activities were interesting and relevant to the learning., The highlight for me was the "ugly story. All the content was worthwhile and presented in a way which allows easy application in real life and knowledge constructed into models which facilitated easy and effective learning. The guidebook has good supporting material and is a good reference for future. I enjoy your training style and like the way you put knowledge together to develop relevant, easy to apply and easy to learn models. Two days full of enjoyable learning. I have already applied some of what I have learned to improve my weakness in DDs and since had a very constructive DD" Lisa Cochrane – Queensland Police
"This was a really valuable course. It was well-structured, built on activities and emphasised learning through participant interactions. It gave me a greater understanding of available tools and techniques for dealing with difficult discussions. The presenter was knowledgeable and confident in course content and competent in discussing and applying it to various situations. It was really good." Karen Gault, Office of the Director-General, Department of Communities
"Your workshop provided some great skills. I've applied the leanings already, achieved a very positive outcome - and it has reduced my stress considerably. Thank you very much for your guidance." Duncan Bigg State Development Corporation
"The clinic gave me some insight into my previous difficult discussion behaviours, the confidence not to avoid difficult discussions and has helped me to believe that I can be constructive in these situations. I enjoyed the presenters style. Very evident he knows his ‘stuff'. A lot of information provided very concisely over 2 days with a very good guide to use as a future resource. Keep up the good work." Deborah Stiles Manager – Queensland Health
"Excellent. You don't realise how many communication bloopers we make in every day life. Fantastic presenting, Bill. Tips on how to start a difficult discussion were most beneficial You are extremely approachable and deliver the information well. It is easy to learn in your interactive classroom, thanks" Stephen Dendle, Queensland Sport & Recreation
"Great structure and content, presented in everyday language with no highfalutin psychological terminology or theories with an easy-to-follow guidebook that's a valuable reference. I wish I'd attended programs like this when I was much younger. I would have been a more effective worker, advocate, community participant and manager not to mention possibly a better husband and father." Bill Ohl Dept of Employment & Training
"An excellent course all very well presented and relevant – and the guide book is very well done. Going through how to use the "toolbox" effectively and practicing was great and I really enjoyed the challenge of thinking of things from another perspective. Very thought provoking. It's quite a revelation to find out that not everyone thinks the same as I do!!! This course would be of enormous benefit to anyone who supervises / manages staff." Sandy Walsh, Central Queensland Institute of TAFE
"The clinic opened my mind up to planning how you are going to say something rather than just what you're going to say. It was very effective from my work-related experience. I operate in a very legalistic field and my conversations must be direct, factually concise, but somehow be delivered in a congenial manner. The tools will be very useful and help me become a more professional communicator. Thank you for a very informative two days." Steve Hearn, Manager Investigation Services, Ethical Standards Unit Office of the Director-General - Queensland Health
"This was a very worthwhile, very engaging program that was very relevant to me. I wanted to feel better equipped to have the tools to handle any difficult discussion better and be able to recognise the difficulties. It helped me identify various stages of difficult discussions and common mistakes we all fall into when involved in a them. It was very well presented, well-paced, very enjoyable throughout with clear and useful reference tools" Mike Phillips – Manager - Remote Communities Housing Service Centre
"The training session was very well structured with the right balance of whole group and small group work. The stories and scenarios were helpful as was the reflection that occurred as a result. Lately I'm staying more open-minded and things have improved. I've been having the right difficult discussions with people – about ways/ideas in relation to how we raise issues with each other in the workplace and I refer to the guide now when planning difficult discussions." Rebecca Hand, Director - Dept of Communities
"I thought the structure and contents were great with clear, concise explanations and the methods used were good for drawing out feelings and thought about certain areas. The Guidebook is a great resource and I have used it to go over concepts with different staff and have used diagrams to help staff remember how to deal with clients. I think Bill is a great facilitator and coach." Leone Deighton – Manager - Queensland Health Health
"I sent 5 staff to Bill's program and they've given me excellent feedback. They all personally gained a great deal and they'll be great advocates for the program." Maree Barton, Director, Dept.of Employment and Training
"Difficult Discussions was well worth the time and very good value. The training provided was of a very high standard which reflects your in-depth knowledge in this area. Your good sense of humour was appreciated and it kept the group`s energy level and interest high." Ken Day - Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation
"A winning combination! The course materials are well-written, comprehensive and easy to navigate. The facilitator knows and uses the course content inside out, but not as a script to follow… The conversational style adopted throughout the 2 days put attendees at ease, so they willingly shared personal experiences (good and bad) for the sake of the group's learning journey. I found myself as both student and tutor, learning from the trainer, other attendees and, most importantly, from myself…" Tony Rolls – State Development
"I found this clinic easy to follow and useful I thought the structure worked well. The game show was a good way to energise and It was good to spend time on the case example and really work it through with changes. I found the concept of zone of tolerance very useful for explaining some differences which I can now empathise with more. I also enjoyed your informal approach and adult learning style. The humour was appreciated and the resource guide is a great set of tools for ongoing work. I think it really has informed some of my conversations in the past week." Cathie Peut – Centrelink
"One of the best courses I have attended. I get bored very easily if I have to sit all day but didn't have time to experience those feelings. Very relaxed atmosphere and presentation and movement between one group and several groups for various activities enhanced focus. Time just vanished. Well done. Great to include your personal experience, felt it put us on the same level rather than think, "it couldn't happen to the presenter" Patricia Neale Manager – Child Safety Service Centre
"Very enjoyable, insightful and most of all useful in everyday life. I've been refreshing what I learnt on arrival back in the workplace and trying to use this in all my dealings now and not just in difficult discussions. I found the book very easy to read and have used a number of the concepts even in everyday life. I enjoyed the relaxed open environment that you so quickly seemed to create with the group. Thanks" Naomi Pradella Project Director Queensland Health |
