2025 STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Conversations that Count: Thriving Through Workplace Tension
Whether you’re navigating team conflict, delivering tough feedback or addressing sensitive topics, difficult conversations are a critical part of professional life, and how you approach them makes all the difference. In this interactive session, you’ll explore the vital role these conversations play in the workplace and discover how your mindset, preparation and communication style can influence outcomes for better or worse. Walk away with practical strategies and tools to set the stage for constructive dialogue, manage emotional responses and turn challenging discussions into opportunities for clarity, connection and growth.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand what makes some conversations hard and why they matter at work
- Learn why it’s important to face tough topics instead of avoiding them
- Build simple and effective strategies to handle emotions and keep conversations on track for positive results
Presenter:
Jason Estep, J.D., Public Service Associate, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, University of Georgia
Jason Estep is a public service faculty member at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. While focusing on youth leadership development, he has considerable experience with curriculum development, program design and implementation, and evaluation of programs serving diverse audiences, whether youth or adult. Prior to joining the Fanning Institute, Estep served Georgia 4-H as the state specialist for leadership and civic engagement, responsible for planning, facilitating and evaluating dynamic educational programs for youth ages 9-19. Before working in youth development, Esteppracticedlaw with large firms in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He helped train, coordinate and supervise attorney teams working on corporate litigation, antitrust matters and government enforcement actions.
Session 1 Options
- Balancing Work and Home: How to Thrive
- Public Impact to Posts – Social Media Strategies to Tell Your Story
- Better Together: Boosting Team Communication through Self-Awareness and Feedback
- Managing Your Own Professional Development
- Microsoft Teams – Tips and Tricks
- Integrating AI and GenAI Solutions into Work Routines
- Introduction to Microsoft’s Power BI
- Using Data to Make a Difference
- Fundraising@PSO: An Overview and Guide to Being Involved
Session 2 Options
- Never Not Working: Why Our Always-On Culture is Bad for Business and How to Fix It
- Making it Click: How to See and Take Great Photos
- Conversations that Count: Thriving Through Workplace Tension
- Retirement 101
- How Can I Get the Most Out of MS Excel?
- Integrating AI and GenAI Solutions into Work Routines
- Introduction to Microsoft’s Power BI
- Navigating Change in the Workplace
- Opportunities for Creative Engagement in PSO