Module 2

Speaking Truth to Power

Module length: 90 min

Study time: 3 hr

Accelerator Short Course:

Master Mentors explore how to navigate the impossible or impassable corner, where there are no easy answers and where your role requires you to tell your superiors that, in your professional opinion, the options to achieve their goals are slim or costly. In other words, what are the best ways to tell them what they may not want to hear?

A person with glasses wearing a headset, with a blurred background of a framed winter scene with trees.
Man wearing a blue shirt in a room with bookshelves in the background.

Core concepts

Sharing bad news

Ways in which difficult or unpopular decisions can be presented to a Mayor, Council, Minister, DM or CAO.

Creating a safe environment for staff

Creating an environment where staff at all levels can share the information they need to share with their colleagues and superiors.

Managing up

Working with a difficult Mayor, Councillor, Minister, DM or CAO.

Building rapport

Developing trust with the Minister/Mayor and their staff.