Testimonials

I completed the “Delving into Difficult Discussion” course facilitated by Jenny Barkan, and I couldn’t be more impressed. The content was incredibly timely, offering fresh ideas and practical approaches that felt immediately applicable. Jenny’s facilitation style fostered a high level of engagement and interaction among participants, making the learning experience both dynamic and insightful. Her expertise and approachable demeanor created a safe space for open dialogue and meaningful exchanges. I highly recommend Jenny as a facilitator; her ability to guide complex discussions with clarity and empathy is truly exceptional.

Zdravko (Z) Gunjevic

Sr. Learning & Development Program Manager
TextNow

I had the pleasure of participating in Jenny’s Delving into Difficult Discussions online class over the past few months. The sessions were very insightful and inspired great group discussions with the class. The material was delivered with passion and enthusiasm. This is an excellent course for those who are new in their leadership roles.

Jennifer Smith

Human Resources Director
Keilhauer

“Recently, I participated in the “Delving into Difficult Discussions” program that was facilitated by Jenny Barkan. I have to say that it was a great experience. First of all, the reading materials are comprehensive yet very clear and straight to the point. And secondly, Jenny was able to create a safe environment, where all the participants were willing to share their thoughts, wins and fails and real-life examples. The conversations flowed almost effortlessly but with a lot of purpose and learning points.

As an HR professional, I highly recommend this program to anyone, especially to people in leadership positions.”

Anna Boshoer, CHRL

Sr. Learning & Development Program Manager
TextNow

I had the privilege of participating in the Delving Into Difficult Discussions program led by Melanie Taylor. This experience was truly transformative. Melanie’s approach is both interactive and informative, making the learning process engaging and practical.

Throughout the program, I learned valuable strategies for navigating challenging conversations. Melanie’s emphasis on emotional intelligence and assertive communication resonated with me. The sessions were thought-provoking, encouraging self-reflection and growth.

What stood out to me was the program’s focus on turning conflict into an opportunity for positive change. Melanie’s guidance helped me approach difficult discussions with confidence, leading to better outcomes both personally and professionally.

If you’re seeking a consultant who combines expertise with a genuine passion for helping others, I wholeheartedly recommend Melanie Taylor. Her program has equipped me with essential skills that I continue to apply in my daily interactions.

Lorrie Guggisberg

HR Manager
Step Software

The Delving into Difficult Discussions course has helped my difficult discussions feel much less difficult.

I really enjoyed the course format—the self-reading, reflection, and sharing with the team. Initially, I would have preferred a one-day course, but I now realize the value of having time between sessions to put the lessons into practice. Additionally, I wondered about the sharing component; it’s not typically something I’m overly comfortable with. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was pretty easy to open up and not feel judged.

I really liked the energy and perspective Melanie brought to the program. She helped all of us reframe our situations and apply essential concepts like listening, being careful with phrasing, pausing, setting boundaries, and remembering to take a break if things are going off the rails.

Marnee Colman

Head of North American Commercial Business
Delta Commercial / Masco Canada

The strategies presented help me to self-reflect. Going through this program, I am more aware of my strengths and weaknesses.

Good discussion about the lesson’s ideas and it is easy for me to participate when my first reaction is usually to sit still and listen.

I like the prompts and examples provided to help guide us through upcoming difficult conversations. I feel this training program has already been beneficial from a work and personal perspective.

I like that we get the opportunity to think over the material before joining the conversation. This allows me time to reflect on my experiences and prepare some questions/ideas to share to better expand my understanding of the material.

I enjoyed how to program took relatable situations and made us look at them from a completely different perspective.

In addition to providing “theory”, it also operationalized the concepts into useful techniques that could be used on a regular basis. It is so applicable! I’ve used the techniques and information many times in the last few weeks since completing the last session.