How to constructively avoid crucial conversations

Course ID: 191101
3.0 ACCENT credits /Not eligible for CME credit
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Morning course | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. US Pacific Time
Anaheim Marriott (next to Anaheim Convention Center)

This three-hour course helps participants strengthen self-awareness and communication effectiveness – essential soft skills that are becoming increasingly critical as AI takes on more of the analytical and data-driven work in laboratory medicine. The first hour focuses on better understanding yourself by introducing the Enneagram framework to identify personal motivations, stress behaviors, and growth pathways. The second hour explores communication preferences using a DISC “bird type” model, helping participants recognize how their style shapes professional interactions. The final hour integrates both frameworks through guided practice, allowing participants to apply their insights in small-group, high-engagement exercises. Faculty will demonstrate practical identification techniques, followed by an interactive “speed assessment” exercise where participants evaluate peers’ Enneagram and communication styles. Each attendee will have the option to complete several freely available self-assessments and will leave with a personalized communication profile and strategies to adapt interactions for improved collaboration and leadership effectiveness.

Faculty

Moderator: Frederick Strathmann, PhD, MBA, DABCC, MOBILion Systems
Rebecca Wilson, PhD, DABCC, NRCC, Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Adding a ticketed event to an existing registration

To add a ticketed event to your existing registration, log in to the Registration Resource Center and update your registration. For questions about ADLM 2026 registration, please call 508‑743‑8506 or email adlm@maritz.com.

Course details

After participating in this course, participants will be able to:

Identify their Enneagram type and DISC communication style to improve self-awareness and professional growth.
Analyze how personality and communication differences influence team dynamics and workplace effectiveness.
Apply adaptive communication strategies to improve collaboration, reduce conflict, and enhance leadership impact within laboratory environments.

(5 minutes) Welcome and introduction (Frederick Strathmann and Rebecca Wilson)

The faculty presenters will start with an overview of course objectives, structure, and materials with emphasis on the interactive nature of the session. Participants will be oriented to self-assessments, group discussions, and applied exercises to support active engagement throughout.

Course objectives, structure, and materials
Expectations for participation in assessments, discussions, and exercises

(45 minutes) Understanding the Enneagram framework (Frederick Strathmann)

Dr. Strathmann will provide an introduction to the Enneagram framework and its nine personality types, with a focus on workplace behaviors, motivation, and stress responses. Participants will complete a brief self-assessment, interpret their results, and reflect on strengths, blind spots, and triggers through guided exercises and small group discussions to compare insights and observations.

Enneagram types and workplace application
Online assessment and interpretation
Small group discussion and reflections

(5 minutes) Break

(45 minutes) Communication styles using the DISC Bird Model (Rebecca Wilson)

Dr. Wilson will provide an overview of the four DISC communication archetypes: Eagle (direct), Parrot (expressive), Dove (supportive), and Owl (analytical), and how these styles influence communication in professional settings. Participants will complete a short online DISC self-assessment and discuss how communication style affect decision-making, feedback, and teamwork. Participants will then engage in a partner activity to practice adapting tone and messaging to different communication styles using short workplace scenarios.

DISC communication archetypes and characteristics
Self-assessment and worksheet exercise
Impact on decision-making, feedback, and teamwork
Partner activity to practice adapting tone and messaging in workplace scenarios

(5 minutes) Break

(50 minutes) Applying self-knowledge to team dynamics (Frederick Strathmann and Rebecca Wilson)

Drs. Strathmann and Wilson will integrate Enneagram and DISC insights to help participants identify effective interaction strategies across diverse personality and communication styles. Faculty will demonstrate verbal and nonverbal cues that reveal underlying personality and communication preferences. Participants will then engage in an interactive “speed assessment” activity, rotating in two-minute intervals to identify others’ Enneagram and DISC types using guided prompts and observation. Individual scoring sheets will be completed to assess accuracy and reflect on observation skills. The section will conclude with a group debrief to discuss lessons learned, recurring patterns, and strategies for improving interpersonal communication.

Applying Enneagram and DISC insights across styles
Recognizing verbal and nonverbal communication cues
“Speed Assessment” exercise with guided observations
Reflection on accuracy and interpersonal effectiveness

(10 minutes) Closing and Q&A (All)

Faculty will summarize take home messages, emphasize practical applications, and encourage continued self-development using provided resources.

Key takeaways and recurring themes
Practical application strategies and next steps

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