Navigate Difficult Conversations

This course will be held in-person at UNC School of Government, Knapp-Sanders Building from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Navigating difficult conversations is a core leadership skill. Healthy conflict gives us an opportunity to express our ideas and learn more about others’ perspectives so we can come up with solutions that last. Working through conflict can make us stronger, more resilient, and more accepting. This one-day course will help you find the opportunities for personal and professional growth presented by conflict.

We’ve all taken workshops that give you basic communication techniques—but they can be difficult to implement in the heat of the moment. This course focuses on real-time practice and application, with feedback and coaching. You won’t just leave with a list of ideas to try later--you’ll walk away already using skills that will effect positive changes in your workplace and community.


Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards registration fees for programs offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:

  • March 1: for programs starting between April 1 and June 30
  • June 1: for programs starting between July 1 and September 30
  • September 1: for programs starting between October 1 and December 31
  • December 1: for programs starting between January 1 and March 31
  • Chapel Hill, NC
    March 6
    School of Government
    400 South Rd
    Chapel Hill, NC 27514
    View Scholarship Information


    Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards registration fees for programs offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:

    • March 1: for programs starting between April 1 and June 30
    • June 1: for programs starting between July 1 and September 30
    • September 1: for programs starting between October 1 and December 31
    • December 1: for programs starting between January 1 and March 31
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before February 26, 2026 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after February 27, 2026, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    $495.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
For all registration questions, resetting passwords, or login issues please contact:

Dale Zuckert

Assistant Registrar
919.966.4414
For questions regarding course details, including location, schedule, materials, and continuing education credits, please contact:

Ling Rudicil

Program Manager, Management, Administration, and Leadership Group
919.843.4958
Albert and Gladys Coates Distinguished Professor; Professor of Public Administration and Government; Director of Strategy, Programming, and Research, Center for Public Leadership and Governance
Assistant Professor of Public Leadership