Course Overview: Mastering Difficult Conversations with AI
Course details: https://stanford.io/4qjWTCk
Think back to the first time you had to tell a direct report their work wasn’t good enough, or persuade your supervisor to change course. For most new managers, those difficult conversations might not have gone as planned. But research shows these early moments can shape the trajectory of your entire career. The good news is you don’t have to wait for the next high-stakes conversation to get it right.
In this course, Stanford faculty combine decades of research with the emergent superpowers of generative AI to give you a “practice field” for leadership. You will rehearse critical conversations in a low-stakes environment and gain the skills and confidence to lead with authority and empathy.
You will learn to:
- Craft clear, respectful communication strategies that shift outcomes
- Give and receive constructive feedback that accelerates growth
Using generative AI, you will role-play high-pressure situations such as confronting difficult team members, motivating diverse talent, or disagreeing with your manager. Each practice round gives you structured, real-time feedback on tone, presence, and empathy so you can iterate and improve.
The course begins with three preset scenarios drawn from the experiences of Stanford alumni.
For each, you will:
- Observe: Hear how young leaders confronted real challenges
- Practice: Role-play with an AI partner as your conversational counterpart
- Get Feedback: Receive personalized feedback from our tough conversation AI coach
-Reflect and Repeat: Apply insights, refine your approach, and try again
Finally, you will design your own AI conversation partner for a current workplace challenge, building a personalized tool you can use beyond the course. Along the way, Stanford faculty share research, alumni share lived experiences, and you gain the playbook to shift your career trajectory.
Please note: This course requires a free ChatGPT account to participate in practice activities.
