Emotional Intelligence Practice Lab Seattle

Difficult Conversations: Practice Lab (Live Rehearsal Session)

This session is focused on one thing: practicing real conversations before (or after) they happen.
If you have a conversation coming up that you’re unsure about (or one that didn’t go the way you wanted) this is a space to work through it in a structured, supportive environment.

What to expect:
This is a hands-on session with minimal theory.
1. Quick Check-In (brief)
We’ll start with a short reset and, if relevant, reflections from anyone who tried applying ideas from previous sessions.
2. Real Situations (focused)
Participants can bring:

• an upcoming difficult conversation
• a recent interaction that didn’t go as expected
• something they’ve been avoiding

We’ll select a few situations to explore more deeply.
3. Live Roleplay & Rehearsal (core)
We’ll actively practice conversations:

• try different approaches
• notice what changes
• repeat and refine

After each roleplay, we focus on:

• what was noticed
• where the interaction shifted
• what alternative responses might change the outcome

This is not about getting it “right.” It’s about experimenting and building awareness.

How this is different:

• This is a practice session, not a discussion group
• We work with real situations, not abstract advice
• We focus on patterns and responses, not critique

You don’t need to have attended any previous session to join.
If you’ve ever thought:

• “I need to have this conversation, but I don’t know how”
• “That didn’t go the way I expected”
• “I wish I could try that again differently”

This session is designed for exactly that.

Do you find it uncomfortable meeting new people? We've all been there.
This is a simple, structured space to practice one thing:
getting comfortable talking to someone you’ve never met before.
No pressure. No performance. No expectations.
Just real conversations with real people.

***

What to expect
We’ll keep things light and practical.

• You’ll be paired with another participant in a breakout room
• Each conversation lasts about 10 minutes
• Then you’ll switch and meet someone new

By the end of the session, you’ll have spoken with several different people.

***

How it works
The goal is not to impress or “get it right.”
It’s simply to:

• get words out of your mouth
• stay present in a conversation
• get more comfortable starting and continuing interactions

If the conversation stalls, you’ll have a few simple prompts to help keep things moving - but feel free to let it flow naturally.

***

A quick note on boundaries
This is a practice space for conversation skills, not a dating or networking event.

• Keep interactions respectful and low-pressure
• No need to share personal details or contact information
• If a question or topic doesn’t feel right, simply steer the conversation elsewhere

***

Who this is for

• If you sometimes feel unsure how to start a conversation
• If you find small talk awkward or draining
• If you just want a low-stakes way to meet new people

You’re in the right place.

***

Come as you are.
You don’t need to prepare anything. Just show up and be willing to try.

The Courage to Be Disliked: Practice Session (Book Club + Live Roleplay)
This is not a typical book discussion.
In this 90-minute session, we’ll use The Courage to Be Disliked as a starting point—but the focus is on applying the ideas to real situations, not just talking about them.

What to expect:
We’ll move through three phases:
1. Focused Discussion (short and interactive)
We’ll explore a key concept from the book and connect it to real-life situations—where it works, where it breaks down, and why.
2. Real Situations & Reflection
Participants are invited (optional) to share recent experiences involving conflict, miscommunication, or emotionally charged conversations.
We’ll look at patterns, triggers, and alternative ways the situation could have unfolded.
3. Live Roleplay Practice
We’ll practice handling difficult conversations in a structured way.
Participants can volunteer to roleplay a scenario, or work with common examples. The goal is not performance—it’s experimentation and awareness.

How this is different

• This is a practice space, not a lecture or theory discussion
• We focus on real situations, not hypothetical advice
• We observe patterns and explore alternatives; not critique individuals

You don’t need to have finished the book to attend, but familiarity with the core ideas will help.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking:

• “I wish I’d handled that conversation differently”
• “Why did that escalate so quickly?”
• “What could I have said instead?”

…this session is designed for exactly that.
Join us to experiment, reflect, and improve how you handle difficult conversations in real life.

Difficult Conversations: Practice Lab (Live Rehearsal Session)

This session is focused on one thing: practicing real conversations before (or after) they happen.
If you have a conversation coming up that you’re unsure about (or one that didn’t go the way you wanted) this is a space to work through it in a structured, supportive environment.

What to expect:
This is a hands-on session with minimal theory.
1. Quick Check-In (brief)
We’ll start with a short reset and, if relevant, reflections from anyone who tried applying ideas from previous sessions.
2. Real Situations (focused)
Participants can bring:

• an upcoming difficult conversation
• a recent interaction that didn’t go as expected
• something they’ve been avoiding

We’ll select a few situations to explore more deeply.
3. Live Roleplay & Rehearsal (core)
We’ll actively practice conversations:

• try different approaches
• notice what changes
• repeat and refine

After each roleplay, we focus on:

• what was noticed
• where the interaction shifted
• what alternative responses might change the outcome

This is not about getting it “right.” It’s about experimenting and building awareness.

How this is different:

• This is a practice session, not a discussion group
• We work with real situations, not abstract advice
• We focus on patterns and responses, not critique

You don’t need to have attended any previous session to join.
If you’ve ever thought:

• “I need to have this conversation, but I don’t know how”
• “That didn’t go the way I expected”
• “I wish I could try that again differently”

This session is designed for exactly that.