Using This Information Packet: This packet includes (1) an overview of the training, (2) a short biography of Sharon Strand Ellison, the creator of the Powerful Non-Defensive Communication process, (3) a partial client list, (4) comments from participants in business and corporate settings, and (5) a summary of numerical scores from 495 participants in one Fortune 500 company.

The overview starts with the introduction from the landing page and then continues with more information. You can start with "More . . ." if you've already read the introduction. You can also return to the landing page to access additional information about workshops, training topics, conferences, and coaching.

Training Context & Overview
Biographical Information
Partial Client List
Comments from Professionals in Business & Corporate Settings
Evaluations from One Fortune 500 Company
Some Unsigned Comments from Participants

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Training Contex & Overview

Introduction from Landing Page: Dramatic changes in recent decades, including becoming more diverse and team driven, have made traditional communication methods obsolete and ineffective in the workplace. Training in communication is moving out of the category of a “soft skill.” Data confirms that microinequities — small insults that do damage — play a major role in eroding employee performance, satisfaction and retention; trust is now gaining recognition as a key element in strong working relationships.

More . . . Using the Powerful Non-Defensive Communication process Sharon has developed gives people in small business and corporate environments the ability to eliminate defensiveness and needless power struggles that undermine productivity, polarize teams, and cause friction with clients. Supervisors will be in a position to use their authority effectively, creating understanding across lines of personal, as well as cultural, difference. Employees/staff can learn skills for responding to each other, as well as even the most difficult customers/clients without getting defensive. Managers and employees alike can be honest while showing respect, take initiative and perform with excellence, thereby fostering a strong sense of community and loyal clients.

Biographical Information

Sharon Strand Ellison, an internationally recognized communication consultant, is an award-winning speaker and the author of Taking the War Out of Our Words. Sharon is a pioneer in the development of methods for eliminating defensiveness and was a nominee for the Leadership for a Changing World Award, sponsored by the Ford Foundation and the Advocacy Institute. She works with corporations and small businesses, as well as professionals from many other fields such as law, healthcare, education, and government. While she has developed cutting-edge theory, her methods are hands-on, practical and straightforward. She is honest and direct, motivating people tp take accountability and be proactive in their skill development.

Partial Client List

Sharon's clients include: Lockheed Martin, Nordstrom, Hewlett Packard, Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Silicon Graphics, Howmet Corp Winsted Machining Center, Wells Fargo, General Dynamics, Genoa Restaurant, Shell Oil, Aegis Capital Management, Sheraton, BioMarker Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cassis Leaf & Petal Boutiques, Crossroads Trading Company, CCG Systems, International Game Technology (IGT), St. Cloud Small Business Association, Precision Castparts, Resort Condominiums International, Xerox, Weyerhaeuser, and the Forum of Executive Women. Sharon has been an invited guest speaker at The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.

In the vital area of cultural competence, Sharon has provided training programs for organizations such as Hewlett Packard, Harassment, Discrimination and Diversity Training (in conjunction with HP attorneys); Nordstrom Nationwide Regional Diversity Managers; and the UC Berkeley Staff Diversity Facilitator Network. Sharon often works with a team of outstanding consultants, including professionals working in the field of diversity and cultural competence. She is dedicated to enhancing performance, creating leadership with integrity and building strength of community in every environment.

Comments from Professionals in Business & Corporate Settings

Powerful Non-Defensive Communication is the missing link that bridges the gap between our desire to communicate effectively and our ability to actually do so. The immediacy and ease of application to difficult professional and personal situations is remarkable.  

—Robert Brownstone, Corporate Educational Specialist, Fortune 500 Company, Silicon Valley, CA

An innovative and practical process with unlimited potential. Ellison has developed a powerful method which will strengthen interpersonal relationships, increase organization effectiveness, and contribute greatly to building a more productive and harmonious society.

—Diana Chesterfield, Corporate Diversity Affairs Manager, Nordstrom

Sharon Ellison conducted a retreat on how to communicate non-defensively for all staff employees. Her style in presenting powerful principles so impacted all employees that we still reference and practice them to this day. In fact, yesterday some of our software development staff discussed how much difference practicing what they learned in the workshop was having in their daily lives, both at work and at home. I personally reference and practice on something we learned from Sharon and her book almost daily in our workplace.

Sharon’s passion and obvious expertise for her subject area are so contagious that her gentle style lends even more power to her ability to help participants grasp and embrace the changes needed in order to communicate more effectively and with greater caring. We have had many powerful presenters and learning workshops that both informed and entertained, but we have never had one that taught us so well how to be more aware of what we are doing and how to change to improve. Sharon demonstrated the ways to communicate non-defensively by "catching" us in the act, as well as using the challenges we presented from real situations in our daily activities.

Finally, as referenced earlier, the impact of what we learned has not diminished but actually increased. I cannot imagine any other investment that would pay such high returns and I have certainly never known a professional who lives and demonstrates so powerfully principles that, if practiced, change the way we relate and the quality of our working and living together.

—Pamela J. Nelson, CEO, CCG Systems, Norfolk VA

First of all, thank you for your excellent presentation. I found the materials and exercises informative and interesting. Too many HR type formats are devoid of real content, often “packaged” in a way for wide audiences. They lack application in a particular environment. Yours, however, seemed quite appropriate and we didn’t just work with artificial models but found a real live opportunity to observe and practice your techniques. I found your style to be very professional and dynamic, and I gained a lot by watching you in action.

I also realize that the skills you advocate for non-defensive communication do not come easily. It seems like we all have a very natural response to protect and defend ourselves when we sense potential for conflict or confrontation. And we often don’t realize how we can actually trigger those events simply by assuming a defensive posture and attitude. Your method requires first recognizing when we use those behaviors and how those behaviors can get in the way of effective communication. Secondly, one needs to experience your approach to appreciate the immediate effect a non-defensive position has on the outcome of a conversation, debate, or negotiation. I can also see that you are a master of your own technique and that it will require some time and effort to learn and practice your methods. I believe the rewards are there for those who truly want to become more proficient in effective communication.

—Paul C. Watkins, VP Business Development, BioMarker Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Taking your workshop has made a world of difference in my management skills. As the owner/manager of two women’s clothing boutiques, I am faced with issues regarding supervision of employees and customer issues on a daily basis. In the short time since taking the workshop I am achieving success in dealing with the people problems at work. Furthermore, my staff has noticed, is impressed, and is now coming to me for advice.  If they have a "bad" exchange they come to me to discuss how they could have handled it differently.

When staff come to me with a need around interactions with either customers or other staff, I feel I have something tangible to offer them. I feel as though I have actually become a source of wisdom at work. I see the staff feel gratitude and respect towards me and I think they feel relieved and in possession of their own self-respect.  What we all like about this process is that we don't have to make concessions.  We can be honest and yet not hurtful.

—Carol Cruikshank, Owner, Cassis and Leaf and Pedal Women's Clothing Boutiques, Palo Alto, CA

The goal of the Customized Training Department at Precision Castparts Corporation is to help our employees become not only better employees but better human beings as well. Sharon's workshops have met that goal. Our staff has responded to Sharon's training program with a high degree of enthusiasm and they learned very practical skills in a short period of time which they are able to use both at work and at home. The process she teaches can help employees develop excellent teamwork skills and strengthen family relationships as well. In fact, I think every person on the planet can benefit from the skills Sharon teaches.

—Lisa Tomlin, Training Coordinator, Precision Castparts, Portland, OR

There would be much less pain, insecurity, dishonesty, etc. in our society if people learned to communicate in a non-defensive manner. Among the scientists I work with, I've seen a person's years of work come under attack, and that person coming out of it greatly hurt and definitely on the defensive. Such conflict only serves to lessen the atmosphere of scientific cooperation and creativity it takes to make a company like mine survive. Your insights on our society's ways of dealing with conflict in all avenues of life left me incredulous at how much energy we are constantly wasting in using a war-model form of communication. Your ideas mapped out a way to handle tough situations in life without having to resort to becoming involved in power struggles.

—Biomedical Research Associate, Advanced Medicine, Inc., Palo Alto, CA

Your presentation was wonderful! It touched a nerve for everyone. It was well received by the more knowledgeable group members, and by those who usually criticize and challenge speakers. It was one of the best presentations in the five years the Forum of Executive Women has been in existence. 

—Jeanie Wilkens, Forum of Executive Women, St. Cloud, MN

Not a day goes by that I do not reference Sharon Ellison's work. I am convinced that it is the clearest path to understanding and positive change. It is breathtaking.

—Frish Brandt, Co-owner and Director, Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Sharon demonstrated a quick grasp of the needs of our individual business. She followed through with developing and implementing an appropriate training program that helped to avoid the pitfalls of habitual power games. We felt especially happy with Sharon's consulting abilities. She helped each person in our business improve communication, stressing that even staff members who do not have direct customer contact have an effect on what the customer experiences. Sharon Ellison has a valuable service to offer to all employees in businesses whose life-blood is customer satisfaction.

—Kerry DeBuse, Co-owner, Genoa, ranked Portland, Oregon's # 1 restaurant, Zagat Survey, 4 consecutive years

Evaluations from One Fortune 500 Company

Out of 495 participants, 95% gave the top two scores for having learned new skills, as well as learning new information.

Some Unsigned Comments from Participants

The concept is just brilliant and very insightful. Breathtaking from the very first words.

At first I was doubtful that this approach was realistic in the real world of modern aggressive behaviors in order to get results. By the end of this workshop I realized it was possible to be non-defensive and not be weak or timid, or giving in to the aggressor.

Class was very intensive but went extremely fast. Great, practical content.

Excellent. Ms. Ellison is brilliant, and a very effective teacher. This was a real breakthrough for me. I wasn't even aware of my own defensiveness before, and now believe I can be significantly more effective.

This is a professional survival seminar and keeping the class small is excellent for best examples. The instructor succeeds in creating an intimate atmosphere where people feel comfortable to bring real examples and honestly work toward resolutions.

This process is fantastic in connection with other management and diversity coursework. Great class!

Need to makes this a core class.

EXCELLENT! Possibly the best class I have taken through our in-house training program. Sharon was great! Fantastic instructor.

My entire life I've been trying to sell people that my opinion is fact and that they should agree with me and when they don't agree with me, then I get defensive. This class has taught me how to react more positively and not be defensive when someone doesn't agree with me.

Your instruction really helped expose the everyday "minefield" of our defenses and self-protective tendencies. The techniques are invaluable.

The workshop was not what I had anticipated. The fundamental skills and techniques are easy to follow, yet revolutionary.

The single most powerful workshop I've taken here in 16 years. Thank you for giving me so very much. What powerful tools. I love your global view.

The Institute for Powerful Non-Defensive Communication
Phone: 800-714-7334 or 510-655-8086 • Email: info@pndc.com
Powerful Non-Defensive Communication is a trademarked name. © 1994-2009 Sharon Strand Ellison