The Grounded Professional – NVC for High-Stakes Conversations
The Grounded Professional – NVC for High-Stakes Conversations
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The Grounded Professional – NVC for High-Stakes Conversations
Presence at Work
Embodied Nonviolent Communication for Professionals
In my experience, boardrooms, wards, classrooms, and trading floors all share one thing: the moments that matter most are usually the ones under the most pressure. I’ve spent years delivering Nonviolent Communication and Embodied Relational Presence training inside organisations including the NHS, Google, Microsoft, and Cambridge University, and as a guest lecturer at the Møller Institute — this course distills that experience into six weeks for individual professionals.
I believe NVC is a practical, learnable approach to infusing empathy, honesty, strength, and compassion into professional relationships. Here, I apply it directly to the conversations that make or break a working week: feedback, appraisals, meetings under time pressure, and disagreement across a hierarchy.
Why This Course, Why Now
A few reasons I think this course matters, and why now:
- Enterprise-Tested — I’ve delivered this same framework inside the NHS, Google, Microsoft, and Cambridge University; now I’m opening it to individuals
- I also draw from my ongoing guest lecturing at the Møller Institute, a leading Advanced executive coaching education centre
- Crisis-Grade Listening — shaped by my years as a Samaritans volunteer and high pressure front line mediation work as an envornmental activist
- 35+ Years of Combined Experience — CNVC Certified Trainer, BFA Certified Focusing Teacher, and former Associate Mindfulness Teacher at Cambridge University
- Built for a Working Week — I’ve designed conveeient short sessions around lunchtime or early evening, fitting a working schedule
- Directly Transferable — in my experience, de-escalation, clear requests, and grounded presence make the difference in meetings, appraisals, and difficult conversations
Format & When
I run this as a six-week Zoom course, one 75-minute session a week.
Dates: see Ticket Tailor for the next cohort | Time: 12.15 – 1.30 | Place: Zoom
The Curriculum
Here’s what we’ll work through together, week by week:
| Wk | Focus | What You’ll Practise |
| 1 | Grounded Presence Under Pressure | Arriving grounded before a high-stakes conversation begins; telling reactivity apart from response |
| 2 | Observation Over Judgment at Work | Separating fact from evaluation in feedback and appraisals — without it landing as criticism |
| 3 | Feelings and Needs, Professionally | Naming what’s really going on without oversharing; translating frustration into clear need-language |
| 4 | The Art of the Workplace Request | Action vs. feeling requests in meetings, delegation, and speaking up the hierarchy |
| 5 | De-escalating Conflict in Real Time | Grounded mediation-lite skills for meetings that go sideways; hearing the need inside an attack |
| 6 | Sustaining Presence, Long Term | Appraisals, repeated difficult dynamics, and integrating the sequence into everyday working life |
Who It’s For
I’ve written this with a few people in mind:
- Managers and team leads navigating feedback, appraisals, and performance conversations
- Clinicians, educators, and public-sector professionals working under sustained pressure
- Anyone who wants workplace-specific NVC without waiting for their organisation to commission it
- Graduates of the Three Doorways trilogy ready to apply NVC directly to their working life
Pricing
| Option | Price | Notes |
| Individual Professional | £145 (£125 concession) | Includes recordings & community space |
| Small Team (2–8, per person) | £125 each | We’ll focus on Team Task and Individual |
| Doorways Trilogy Graduate Rate | £115 | For alumni of the Three Doorways trilogy |
| Organisational / In-House | Bespoke — contact directly | As delivered for NHS, Google, Microsoft, and Cambridge University |
I’ve tried to keep this accessible without undervaluing the work — if cost is a barrier, get in touch and we’ll find a way.
What Participants Are Saying
“Learning about NVC with Simon is a delight! His warm, playful energy and teaching through doing builds connection and confidence. This is not another training by PowerPoint online after a long day at work. It is meaningful, engaging and practical.”
— Lizzie Guinness, NVC Foundation Skills course participant
Book Your Place
I’d love to have you join — full details and booking on Ticket Tailor: Click link below
FAQs
How is this different from the Three Doorways trilogy?
In my view, the Doorways trilogy is foundational, general-purpose NVC. This course takes that same grounding and applies it directly to workplace scenarios — appraisals, meetings, feedback, and organisational conflict.
Can my organisation book this in-house instead?
Yes — I regularly deliver this in-house for organisations.
Do I need prior NVC experience?
None at all — in my experience the course works well for complete beginners, though graduates of the Three Doorways trilogy often find it a natural next step.
Will this count toward my professional development?
Many participants tell me they log this toward their own CPD or professional development records; I’m happy to provide a certificate of attendance on request.
What if I miss a session?
I record every session, so you can stay on track even if your working week gets in the way.