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Schedule

Stanford Root

Schedule

GSBGEN 568

Managing Difficult Conversations

UNITS:2
GRADING:GSB Student Option LTR/PF
LEVEL:Graduate
GER:—

This elective 2-unit course is designed for those who aspire to improve their ability to deal effectively with difficult professional and interpersonal conversations. The course is case/vignette-based and classes usually include frequent role-playing in authentic business, entrepreneurial, professional (e.g, consulting, law, medicine, non-profits) and other difficult interactions as was as selected interpersonal situations. Outside guests with experience relevant to the vignette theme will often participate as our guests. All students are also asked to prepare their own vignette from their own actual professional or personal experience, which will be role-played during the course. Students will be expected to attend all classes unless excused in advance. Class preparation will include reading of assigned cases/vignettes; analysis of the cases/vignettes and recommendations as to how to confront specific difficult conversations (consistent with assigned study questions); and reading of assigned background material. All students are expected to participate actively in class role plays and discussions.

Syllabus for selected term:
View Autumn 2026 Syllabus

Sections

1 Term
Case Study 1Open
ID: 28116
0 / 15 enrolled
DAYS:Tuesday
TIME:4:25 PM – 6:10 PM
LOCATION:GSB Faculty East 103
INSTRUCTOR:
Detter, Tony, Prober, Charles
2units

GSBGEN 568: Managing Difficult Conversations

2 units · GSB Student Option LTR/PF

This elective 2-unit course is designed for those who aspire to improve their ability to deal effectively with difficult professional and interpersonal conversations. The course is case/vignette-based and classes usually include frequent role-playing in authentic business, entrepreneurial, professional (e.g, consulting, law, medicine, non-profits) and other difficult interactions as was as selected interpersonal situations. Outside guests with experience relevant to the vignette theme will often participate as our guests. All students are also asked to prepare their own vignette from their own actual professional or personal experience, which will be role-played during the course. Students will be expected to attend all classes unless excused in advance. Class preparation will include reading of assigned cases/vignettes; analysis of the cases/vignettes and recommendations as to how to confront specific difficult conversations (consistent with assigned study questions); and reading of assigned background material. All students are expected to participate actively in class role plays and discussions.

Offered in Autumn 2026 at Stanford University.

Autumn 2026 sections

  • Case Study — Tuesday 4:25 PM – 6:10 PM — GSB Faculty East 103 — Detter, Tony, Prober, Charles (Graduate)

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