The Conversation Compass & Canvas
Difficult conversations are part of working life, yet too often, they are avoided, rushed, or handled in ways that damage trust. Scripts and “magic phrases” rarely help, because real conversations are shaped by context: power, pressures, emotions, and history.
The Conversation Toolkit: Compass & Canvas offers a structured but flexible way to prepare, navigate, and reflect on the conversations that matter. Built on doctoral research into workplace dialogue, it combines two powerful tools:
The Conversation Compass – a reflective framework of 8 guiding lenses (the 8 Ps) that help you orient before, during, and after a difficult conversation.
The Conversation Canvas – a practical, two-page planning and reflection tool that turns insight into action, with space to capture notes and reflections for each of the 8 Ps.
Together, they form the foundation of the Conversation Toolkit: a system that helps you replace rigid scripts with maps, tools that respect complexity and make dialogue sustainable.
What’s included
Compass Overview – explanation of the 8 Ps (Purpose, People, Pressures, Pattern, Presence, Protection, Practice, Post).
Compass Reflection Pages – for each P: goals, reflective questions, insights, and examples.
How to use the Toolkit
Individually – prepare for a high-stakes conversation and reflect afterwards.
As a manager/leader – model transparency and use the framework to support team dialogue.
As a coach/HR professional – guide others through preparation and reflection with structured prompts.
In workshops/teams – use the Compass and Canvas to explore barriers and design better dialogue together.
Compass Action Pages – practical checklists, conversation starters, and pitfalls to avoid.
Canvas (2-page printable) – large writing spaces for each P to capture notes before, during, and after a conversation.
How-to Guide – instructions on how to use the Compass and Canvas together, individually or with others.
Summary & Support Page – recap and links for further training or guidance.
Format: Printable PDF workbook – download instantly, print for workshops, or use digitally as a fillable tool.
With the Compass and Canvas, you’ll never walk into a difficult conversation unprepared. These tools help you orient, prepare, and reflect, turning moments of hesitation into opportunities for clarity, trust, and progress.