Polarizing Conversations - How to Talk About Triggering Topics

Facilitated by Andrew Wychnenka - ACHIEVE Trainer

The workplace has undergone significant changes over the last decade. Important conversations about gender and equity, race, the environment, the pandemic, and remote work have shown us how crucial it is to talk about these topics thoughtfully.

This webinar will help you get a handle on the dynamics of polarizing conversations and how we naturally react to challenging discussions. You’ll learn skills to manage your own emotions while talking about different viewpoints, so you can turn heated discussions into productive and respectful ones. The goal is not to convince others to see things your way, but to listen, empathize, and validate their perspective to foster healthy communication.

Format: Live online session (Zoom)
Topic: Polarizing Conversations with Andrew Wychnenka
Date & Time: December 17, 2025 | 12–1 p.m.

ACHIEVE Trainer:

Andrew is a conflict management professional with over a decade of experience in delivering conflict management services such as mediation, coaching, and training in a variety of sectors. He is passionate about helping people understand conflict and find solutions to problems that seem insurmountable on their own.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Conflict Resolution Studies and Psychology and holds a Chartered Mediator designation through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada. He has conducted over 100 mediation processes in court, family, workplace, and community settings, and has over 18 years of service as a leader in the Canadian military, which includes a deployment to Afghanistan. He also spent five years as a conflict management expert for a government department where he offered internal mediation services, training, and group processes.

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