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Communication Mastery

ALIGN Conversations for High-Stakes Dialogue

Most leadership breakdowns are not strategy failures. They are conversation failures. Hard conversations get avoided, rushed, or derailed. Feedback lands poorly. Misalignment goes unresolved.

Communication Mastery teaches a practical, repeatable conversation model, grounded in real practice, so leaders can navigate conflict, deliver feedback, and align teams with confidence.

Practice-Focused

Live role-plays with real scenarios from your organization

Framework-Driven

Built on the ALIGN Conversation Framework™

"The ALIGN conversation model gave me a structure I did not know I needed. I went from avoiding hard conversations to leading them with clarity."

- Director of Engineering, 85-person technology company

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The Challenge

You are experiencing:

  • ✔ Avoided conversations where leaders delay hard feedback until it becomes a crisis
  • ✔ Rushed dialogue where important issues move too fast without real resolution
  • ✔ Defensive reactions where feedback triggers shutdown instead of learning
  • ✔ Misalignment where people leave conversations thinking they agreed, but they did not
  • ✔ Manager anxiety driven by uncertainty about how to navigate difficult dialogue

This is costing you:

  • ✔ Interpersonal blowups as unaddressed tension surfaces
  • ✔ Slow conflict resolution when conversations lack structure
  • ✔ Talent loss when feedback is absent or poorly delivered
  • ✔ Strategic misalignment due to unclear conversations

Built For

  • ✔ New managers learning to give feedback
  • ✔ Experienced leaders seeking greater confidence
  • ✔ Leadership teams needing a shared language
  • ✔ Cross-functional teams with frequent misalignment

The ALIGN Conversation Model™

A practical, repeatable framework for navigating high-stakes conversations with clarity and follow-through.

A

ASSESS THE SITUATION

Clarify the purpose, context, and desired outcome before engaging.

L

LISTEN AND INQUIRE

Create psychological safety by listening fully and asking thoughtful questions.

I

ILLUMINATE PRIORITIES

Name what matters most and bring focus to the real issues at hand.

G

GENERATE COMMITMENTS

Translate clarity into shared ownership and clear commitments.

N

NAVIGATE NEXT STEPS

Close with explicit actions, timelines, and follow-up.

How It Works

Choose the format that fits your team. All formats include tool cards, conversation templates, and a manager guide.

4 hours

Half-Day Workshop

  • Core ALIGN model teaching
  • Two to three live role-plays
  • Tool card practice
  • Q&A and application planning
7 hours Most Popular

Full-Day Workshop

  • Core ALIGN model teaching
  • Four to six live role-plays
  • Small-group practice sessions
  • Advanced techniques for defensiveness and escalation
  • Action planning walkthrough
3 × 2 hours

Multi-Session Series

  • Session 1: Assess + Listen and Inquire
  • Session 2: Illuminate + Generate
  • Session 3: Navigate + Integration
  • Real-world application between sessions

Delivery: In-person, hybrid, or fully virtual. In-person recommended for maximum practice intensity.

Customization: Role-plays built around your actual challenges. Adapts to team size and industry context.

The Shift

Before

"I dread giving critical feedback. I avoid it or rush through it. Conversations go sideways and people get defensive."

  • Interpersonal blowups
  • Slow conflict resolution
  • Manager burnout from unresolved weight

After

"I have a model now. I prepare. I know how to open, listen, and navigate defensiveness. Conversations are still hard, but I am not winging it anymore."

  • Fewer interpersonal blowups
  • Higher manager confidence
  • Increased psychological safety

Part of the ALIGN Ecosystem

Communication Mastery is the skill layer that supports Cohesion Lab, Culture by Design, and ALIGN OS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to equip your leaders with confidence in high-stakes conversations?

Schedule a 30-minute discovery call. We will discuss your communication challenges and recommend the right training format.

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