Building Trust Through Better Conversations

master class 2604

How You’ll Benefit:

  • Build trust and rapport more quickly through meaningful conversations.
  • Move beyond small talk to deeper, more productive dialogue.
  • Create a safe, empathetic, and engaging environment for conversations.
  • Use questioning strategies that show interest, foster respect, and strengthen relationships.
  • Apply a simple 3-step conversation tool to increase likability and influence.

Who Should Attend:

  • Project managers leading cross-functional teams.
  • Engineers and technical professionals who must collaborate beyond their immediate groups.
  • Rising leaders and mid-level managers seeking to grow influence and credibility.
  • Sales and client-facing professionals who build trust with customers.
  • Finance and operations leaders who work across departments to align on goals.

Program Overview:

Strong business relationships are built on trust, and trust begins with quality conversations. This workshop gives professionals the tools to move beyond surface-level interactions and create meaningful dialogue that fosters rapport, respect, and collaboration. Participants learn how to recognize barriers to trust, ask powerful open-ended questions, and apply the three levels of conversation to deepen connections. Through practical tools like the 3-step conversation model, they will practice showing empathy, creating safety, and demonstrating genuine interest—skills that help them become more influential, respected, and trusted in the workplace.

Download Outline
MC2604 3 levels of Conversation
MC2604 3-step Conversation Tool
MC2604 Empathy model

Tools You’ll Receive:

Question Types – Open, closed, and alternative-choice questions and when to use them.

Three Levels of Conversation – Move from small talk, to interests/opinions, to values/beliefs for deeper trust.

Building a Conversation Environment – Use empathy, safety, and interest to create meaningful dialogue.

3-Step Conversation Tool (Ask–Affirm–Follow-Up) – A practical method to show care, deepen conversations, and build trust.

Concepts we’ll teach you (Objectives):

  • How to identify and overcome barriers that prevent trust.
  • How to create an environment of safety, empathy, and interest.
  • How to structure conversations that strengthen relationships.
  • How to use open-ended and follow-up questions to build rapport.
  • How to practice and apply tools to develop trust in real business interactions.

Activities:

Question Type Drill: Practice open, closed, and alternative choice questions.

Three Levels of Conversation: Move from small talk to deeper values-based dialogue.

Environment Builder: Exercises to demonstrate empathy, create safety, and show interest.

3-Step Conversation Tool Practice: Apply Ask–Affirm–Follow-Up model in role plays.

ISE Activities: Engage in personal and business conversation scenarios to practice trust-building.

Agenda

Topic 1: Introduction to Trust and Conversations – Why conversations matter in building strong relationships.

Topic 2: Question Types – Open, closed, and alternative choice questions.

Topic 3: Three Levels of Conversation – From small talk to values-based discussions.

Topic 4: Building a Conversation Environment – Empathy, safety, and interest.

Topic 5: The 3-Step Conversation Tool – Ask, affirm, and follow-up.

Topic 6: Practice Exercises – Personal and business conversations (ISE activities).

Topic 7: Reflection and Application – Identify personal takeaways and action steps.

Topic 8: Implement to Improve – Commit to applying tools for continuous improvement.

Delivery Format:

  • Virtual

Duration & Structure:

  • 2 hours
  • 30 participants

Targeted Reinforcement:

  1. Short Cut Card (Included)
    • Quick reference guide of the tools and tips learned in class.
  2. iSpeak U Tool Library (Included)
    • Access to the iSpeak U library with tools and examples.
  3. AI iSpeak Coach for 30 days (Additional Charge) 
    • Scenario 1: Building Trust Through Quality Conversations: Practice using the Ask-Affirm-Follow-Up model to build trust and establish a strong working relationship with a new team member.
    • Scenario 2: Building Trust with a New Client: Practice using the Ask-Affirm-Follow-Up model to rebuild trust and establish rapport with a hesitant client by guiding the conversation from small talk to meaningful dialogue.