**Next Offered Sept 2 - 11 am - 11:45 pm ET**

What IS an ombuds and how can they help me "get unstuck" with challenges and conflicts I face at UT?

The Office of Ombuds Services helps to empower graduate students, staff, and faculty to navigate challenges related to their experiences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In this interactive session, participants will be introduced to our voluntary free consultation, education, and coaching services to individuals, leaders and teams. Come learn about our uniquely independent, impartial, informal, and confidential services that are designed to help you, your team, and our academic community innovate and thrive.

No challenge too small or too big - we are here to help!

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next Offered 9/22/26 - 11 am -12 pm EST***

To enhance your ability to navigate conflict, we provide an overview of conflict processes as well as an opportunity for informal self-assessment. Specific strategies offered include "person vs problem"; "managing assumptions;" and "cooling threat responses." If time, we will discuss both helpful and unhelpful behaviors in conflict as well as specific “hot buttons” that tend to draw out unhelpful behaviors.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

***Next Offered Oct 13th, 2026 at 1:30 pm***

Registration for this workshop CLOSES on 9/15/26

Does conflict make you uncomfortable? Do you feel like you want to lash out or would you prefer to avoid the situation altogether?

While many would say yes, destructive conflict behaviors undermine relationships and lead to ineffective solutions. Constructive conflict management, however, can lead to personal and team growth, innovation, and improvement.

Before the session date, participants will complete an online Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) self-assessment pre-survey to reflect on their typical behaviors in workplace conflict situations. Then, during the workshop, you will use your CDP Report to explore your most helpful and unhelpful behaviors in conflict as well as your specific "hot buttons" and how to “cool” them. You will leave with a plan and several strategies to enhance your personal ability to navigate conflict.

NOTE: After registration closes on 9/15 registrants will receive emails with information on how to take the online self-assessment pre-survey for free. You will be expected to complete this online survey by 10/6.

Session Zoom link sent to those who complete the pre-survey in a timely manner.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

Use this linked form to Register for this workshop - do not click the "Join Waitlist" button below. Registration deadline October 16, 2026.

This 12-hour workshop is next offered Fall 2026 over 4 weeks with ~1.5 hours independent online work each week due before each of the four 90-minute Zoom sessions held October 27 and November 3, 10, 17 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm.

This intensive training provides strategies and builds skills for constructively engaging in difficult conversations —rather than stepping over or around it— in order to turn disagreements into dialogue. A Crucial Conversation is a discussion between two or more people where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. When conversations turn crucial, people tend to follow one of two ineffective paths: they either speak directly and abrasively to get the results they want but harm relationships, or they remain silent with the hope of preserving relationships only to sacrifice results.

Workshop details:

• Time Requirements: Over 4 weeks, participants will complete 1-2 hours of asynchronous online activities from Crucial Learning Online (~6 hours) prior to engaging in each of four 90-minute virtual discussion and skills practice sessions (6 total hours via Zoom) for 12 total PD hours. More about CCMD training content.
• Materials Cost: $270 online materials access fee per person. Consult with your unit/department/college for funding – this is typically paid via internal transfer through Campus Shared Services. Limited funding support available.

You must register for this training using the SEPARATE SPECIAL registration form (linked above and here):
Use this linked form to Register for this workshop - do not click the Join Waitlist button below.

Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

***Next Offered October 7th, 2026 at 10:30 am ET***

Based in Donna Hicks' Leading with Dignity: How to create a culture that brings out the best in people (2018), this session will briefly summarize key concepts of dignity and how it can affect team productivity and innovation. Participants will then anonymously assess how well dignity is honored in their work environment and in their own actions.

During a short breakout activity participants will then explore several strategies for fostering dignity-conscious teams. Strategies may include: fostering a growth mindset, modeling vulnerability, activating empathy, cultivating trust, zooming out, & taking responsibility. Lastly, participants will be encouraged to set a goal to foster dignity consciousness for themselves and their team.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next offered 9/8/2026 - 1pm-2pm ET**

Join us to discuss improving interpersonal communication around performance feedback dialogue where both parties give and receive feedback. Together we will examine effective communication strategies within these dialogues, such as: planning for feedback, managing emotions, seeking first to understand, communicating intent, and common feedback pitfalls.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next Offered August 26th - 11 am - 12pm EST **

This is a 45-60 minute overview of both:

• our Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue (CCMD) intensive workshop (12 hours over 4 weeks), and
• our Employee Conflict Navigators (ECN) Certificate program.

• CCMD builds skills for constructively engaging in challenging conversations —rather than stepping over or around them. This intensive multi-session course outlines proven processes and strategies for turning disagreement (or avoidance) into constructive dialogue. More on Crucial Learning

• The ECN Certificate program, open to all full-time employees with a utk.edu NetID, develops communication, conflict management, and relationship-building skills. Participants independently complete 20 hours of workshops & follow-up coaching with the 12-hr CCMD workshop as a requirement. More about Conflict Navigators.

While we strongly recommend those interested in CCMD or ECN participate in this intro, it is not required. If you cannot attend one of these sessions and you have questions, make a 30-minute appointment to speak with the Ombuds Ed Coordinator or email ombudsed@utk.edu.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

***Next Offered 11/18/26 - 1:00-2:30 pm EST***

Based in Amy Edmundson’s book The Fearless Organization (2018), this session will briefly summarize key concepts of psychological safety and how it can affect individual and team satisfaction and performance. Participants will then anonymously assess how psych safety is fostered and what challenges may be present within their work environment.

Then, during a short breakout activity, participants will explore several strategies for fostering psychologically safer teams. Strategies can include: appreciative listening, clarifying shared expectations & purpose; pro-active inquiry; destigmatizing failure; modeling inclusivity; & continuous renewal. Lastly, participants will be encouraged to set a goal to foster increased psychological safety for themselves and their team.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next offered 9/15/26 1:30-3pm ET**

Struggling with how to effectively assert your needs, opinions, and boundaries?
Worried you'll sound rude? Or may not be firm or clear enough?
Don’t know how to say “this is not OK with me” or feel guilty when you do?

During this virtual session we will explore a continuum of communication styles; discuss the benefits of assertive communication; examine common barriers to communicating assertively; and try out specific verbal and non-verbal strategies for communicating clearly, respectfully, and assertively. Our goal is to empower you to honestly communicate what you think, feel, and want in a way that honors dignity and contributes to psychological safety.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next Offered 10/21/26 - 1:00-2:00 pm EST***

Have you found yourself struggling with how to effectively assert your needs, concerns, opinions, and/or boundaries? Join us to discuss what assertive communication is - and is not - and strategies for honestly communicating what you think, feel, and need in a way that honors dignity and contributes to psychological safety for both you and others.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next Offered Spring 2027**

We all have an inherent value (dignity) that drives our need to matter and belong. Attending to feelings and experiences of dignity is crucial to building relationships of trust and mutual understanding. Violations of dignity are often the root cause of anger, resentment, mistrust, and destructive conflict.

In this session, you will explore the importance of dignity in workplace relationships; discuss how to honor dignity & avoid violations; and strategize ways to uphold the dignity of yourself and others. This interactive workshop includes self-reflection, breakout discussion, and action planning activities.

Objectives:
o Understand human dignity as an inherent value and vulnerability at the core of how we find a sense of mattering and belonging in a community.
o Examine beliefs and behaviors that honor dignity as well as those that can harm our own dignity and that of others.
o Apply these concepts to university workplace scenarios.
o Create an action plan for increasing dignity-consciousness to your own workplace interactions.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

***Next offered Spring 2027***

Do you find receiving workplace feedback a challenging experience?
Are you comfortable requesting and holding feedback dialogues?
What strategies do you use to advocate for your career goals and needs?
If receiving feedback is unpleasant, frustrating, or simply missing in your workplace experiences, you are not alone!

Join us for a 90-minute virtual session where we will discuss the receiver’s role in fostering constructive feedback experiences. During this session you will:

• Examine your current reactions and responses in different types of feedback situations.
• Learn strategies for engaging in constructive feedback dialogue to strengthen relationships, improve performance, and foster personal growth.
• Make a plan to advocate for your professional goals as part of feedback dialogue.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next offered Spring 2027

Are you frustrated with, or challenged by, giving feedback in the workplace?
Do you wish for more engagement in workplace feedback conversations?
Looking for strategies you can use to support others' growth and career success?
We can help!

In this 90-minute virtual session, you will examine the complexity and risks - to all parties- in giving workplace feedback. Framing feedback discussions as a dialogue with both parties giving and receiving, we will discuss your role in building trust and a sense of safety for receivers. We will examine effective communication strategies within these dialogues, such as: clarifying purpose, focusing on facts vs stories, seeking first to understand, communicating intent, and common pitfalls in communication. Participants will practice strategies for starting a safe and constructive feedback conversation and create a plan for improving their workplace feedback experiences. This interactive workshop includes self-reflection, breakout discussion, and action planning activities.

During this virtual session, we will use breakout rooms for discussion and practice; access to microphone and camera recommended. Attendance via phone not recommended for virtual sessions.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

***Next Offered Spring 2027 ***

Normal reactions to issues causing tension & uncertainty can often lead to interpersonal conflict, increased stress and burnout, and delayed or reduced success. Join us for a 60-minute discussion on how we can reframe our approach to tension and uncertainty to foster constructive dialogue, individual growth, and team innovation. Topics include: common assumptions in conflict, managing neurological threat responses and growth mindset. This interactive workshop includes self-reflection, breakout discussion, and action planning activities. Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu. For virtual sessions, we will use breakout rooms for discussion and practice; access to microphone and camera recommended. Attendance via phone not recommended for virtual sessions.

***Next Offered Spring 2027

For those holding a Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue certificate, this is a 45 minute overview of both:

• our Crucial Conversations for Accountabilty Add-on (CCA) intensive workshop (8 hours over 3 weeks), and
• our Employee Conflict Navigators (ECN) Certificate program.

Plan for an interactive 30 minute presentation with at least 15 minutes for Q&A.

• Building on CCMD concepts, this workshop takes a deeper dive into accountability conversation skills for closing the gap between expectations and performance. Not just for supervisors, this experience provides employees the skills to respectfully speak up when they see something, improving team performance. CCA Video explanation & example.

• The ECN Certificate program consists of 20 hours of workshops & follow-up coaching to develop participants communication, conflict management, and relationship-building skills. Open to all full-time employees with a utk.edu NetID, previous completion of the CCMD workshop (12 hours) is a requirement of this program. More about Conflict Navigators.

While we recommend those interested in CCA Add-on or ECN participate in this intro, it is not required. If you cannot attend one of these sessions and you would like more information, make a 30-minute appointment to speak with any ombuds educational staff or email ombudsed@utk.edu.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

**Next offered Spring 2027 **

You may also request this workshop for your dept, unit, or group on your preferred date using the Ombuds Workshop or Outreach Session Request form.

Have you ever felt afraid to speak up or share your ideas for fear of repercussions or causing conflict? Do you feel uncomfortable expressing or being yourself in the workplace? Are you concerned about staff or peers who have expressed similar concerns? You are not alone!

In this virtual session, you will discuss the importance of psychological safety in open and honest workplace communication, take steps to self-assess your own psych safety needs, and learn strategies to engage in respectful dialogue with peers about increasing psych safety in the workplace. Topics include: workplace culture, belonging, interpersonal risk-taking, compassionate dialogue, and the effects of increased psychological safety on workplace effectiveness and innovation. This interactive workshop includes self-reflection, breakout discussion, and action planning activities.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

You may request this workshop for your dept, unit, or group on your preferred date using the Ombuds Workshop or Outreach Session Request form.

Human-centered high-quality research environments are a team effort resulting in lower stress, fewer errors, better collaboration, and increased innovation. Join us to explore concepts, strategies, and resources for building more psychologically safe research environments through PI, team leader, and peer mentoring. National research practice recommendations note that open communication including many different perspectives builds interpersonal understanding and trust that is key to practicing better science. This workshop on nationally recommended research mentoring practices was developed by staff from Ombuds Services, ORIED, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs,