Best Practices for Approaching Crucial Conversations: Tips and Tricks for Having Difficult but Collaborative Discussions
Presenter:
Ezra Crawford, Senior Business Development Director, Crowell & Moring
Reasons for Presenting:
I was actually on the planning committee for the first LMA Half-Day Program that we hosted in DC about 13 years ago, so this conference always catches my eye and I try to attend when work and life allow. This year, when I saw the Call for Presenters, I decided to submit a speaking proposal as a way of ensuring I would be able to prioritize the conference and, as luck would have it, I was selected. So I’m really looking forward to participating and reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones.
Program Points of Emphasis:
My presentation will focus on having difficult, but collaborative, conversations. It doesn’t teach how to win arguments, though—it focuses on getting to a place of common understanding when you all ultimately share the same goal as the other person/team/department. So I hope people will leave with some practical tips for engaging in discussions that have the potential to go sideways, but really shouldn’t in the first place.
One Desired Takeaway for Attendees:
To feel empowered and prepared to approach high-stakes conversation with skill and confidence.
What Attendees Can Expect:
I hope it will feel like a conversation. I’ll make some key points, offer up various scenarios, and have mini-breakout sessions so if it feels like a lecture, I’ve done something wrong.
Most Looking Forward to:
The programming looks really terrific, of course, but I’m really looking forward to being in the same space as so many other legal marketing professionals.
Other Thoughts:
If you haven’t registered yet, I strongly encourage you to do so! And if you see me at the conference, please come up and say hi.