Good work is hard, and sometimes other people make it harder. Tough project conversations that hinder our ability to move forward together. Difficult feedback that rattles our self-confidence. Disagreements that damage our job satisfaction. Women as leaders need the skills to keep challenging work relationships from getting the best of them. This interactive talk presents tools to strengthen your ability to deepen the relationships that test you. Learn how to recognize the need for more resiliency, what support to look for, and a journal format to prepare for that next conversation.

1. Resilient Relationships

2. Agenda
• Relationships that test us at work
• How to know when more resiliency is needed
• Tools you can try
• Recognizing resilient relationships

3. Allison Pollard
Allison Pollard connects people and
ideas to create more engaging
workplaces. As Technical Director for
Improving, she is a curator of agile
frameworks and coaching methods.
Allison elevates organizations and
communities by sharing her knowledge
and experience. She is also an avid
reader, a foodie, and proud glasses
wearer.

4. Susan Fojtasek
Susan Fojtasek drives strategic initiatives
and bridges the gap between business
and technology. She currently serves as
Senior Vice President of Operations at
Improving and has over 20 years of
experience in consulting. Susan was
previously named a silver Stevie Women
in Business honoree for Maverick of the
Year. Outside of work, Susan enjoys
spending time with her family & friends,
participating in outdoor activities, and
traveling to new places.

5. How do you know if a work relationship
is getting the best of you?
Go to menti.com and use the code 9292 2155

6. Our Story
Image by DerWeg from Pixabay

7. How well can you act with Authenticity, Intimacy
and Respond-ability in this relationship?
What’s in the way of you being real in this
relationship?
When you clear assumptions, you can clean the
AIR:
• Authenticity
• Intimacy
• Respond-ability
Resiliency Check
From Co-Active Training Institute Leadership program
Image by Hoàng Đăng from Pixabay

8. • Someone who will tell you the truth
• Aligned with where you want to go
• Has relevant experience
• Help you walkthrough the situation to see it
differently
Talking to a Trusted Mentor
Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

9. Journaling
• Slow down
• Challenge your assumptions
• Pre- and post-game filming
• Focus on desired outcomes

10. A) MENTAL REPLAY B) REFLECTION DATE:
PARTICIPANTS:
Situation: Describe what happened
Results: Consequences/Implications Inner State: What I was feeling
My Thoughts: What I was thinking … My Behavior: What I said
B) SELF - AUTHORING
Key Insights: Triggers, patterns
Angry Defensive In Flow Pessimistic
Anxious Disappointed Inspired Proud
Appreciated Embarrassed Irritated Relaxed
Brave Enthusiastic Liberated Sad
Burned Out Excited Loving Satisfied
Calm Frustrated Non-attached Stressed
Confident Grateful Open Supported
Conflicted Happy Optimistic Unappreciated
Confused Hurt Passionate Vulnerable
Desired Outcome: What do I really want?
Action: My next step is … Next time I will …
Contemplation What could I do differently?

11. Conducting Conversations: SBI
• Situation
• Behavior
• Impact

12. • 360s
• One-on-ones
• Retrospectives
Soliciting Feedback on How You’re Doing
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

13. • Long-lasting
• Able to withstand / recover quickly
• Flexible
• Unbroken by hard feedback
Our Definition of Resilient Relationships
Image by icsilviu from Pixabay

14. Allison Pollard
allison.pollard@improving.com
www.allisonpollard.com
Susan Fojtasek
susan.fojtasek@improving.com
Thank You