A reality of working with people is the periodic need for difficult conversations. Using storyboards allows the author to more easily predict how the other person will respond due to the conversational nature of the storyboard format. More time spent planning increases the chance of a successful resolution. Storyboards are also helpful when mentoring someone: walking them through a difficult conversation to help them see both sides of a situation.
Pro Tip: Sharing your storyboard with a third party often helps tone down the approach from confrontational to collaborative.
The difficult conversation framework is a structured approach that includes Context, Approach, and End Goal. Teachers can use it to plan and navigate challenging discussions with students, parents, or colleagues by clarifying the reason for the talk, choosing the right tone, and aiming for a positive outcome.
Storyboards visualize the flow of a conversation, allowing educators to anticipate responses, refine their approach, and practice empathy. This method helps make discussions more collaborative and less confrontational, increasing the likelihood of a successful resolution.
For a student conflict: Context: Address a disagreement over group work; Approach: Use calm, clear bullet points to discuss behaviors; End Goal: Both students agree on steps to improve teamwork. Storyboards can help map out each step.
The best way is to use the context–approach–end goal framework: define the purpose, plan key points and tone, and set a constructive outcome. Sharing a storyboard with a colleague can also help refine your approach for greater effectiveness.
Storyboards help educators mentor and resolve conflicts by visually presenting both sides of a situation. This makes conversations easier to understand and improves empathy, leading to better solutions in challenging scenarios.