“I just don’t know how to handle these conversations effectively.” This was a recurring theme at our recent Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus retreat for Assistant and Deputy Principals in Wellington last week. Whether dealing with staff resistant to new initiatives, managing peer conflicts, addressing parent concerns, or supporting student engagement – these crucial conversations consume enormous emotional energy and stand as a key challenge for educational leaders.
The traditional approach to developing these skills typically involves workshops where strategies are introduced and practiced through role-play exercises. While these sessions provide valuable frameworks and techniques, our participants highlighted a persistent gap: the challenge of building genuine confidence in applying these skills back in their schools.
Role-play has long been the go-to method for practicing these conversations. Participants pair up or work with facilitators to simulate challenging scenarios, offering a safe environment to practice without real-world consequences. However, our APs and DPs shared a common frustration: these simulations often feel artificial. When people feel self-conscious about “acting,” the learning potential diminishes. More importantly, traditional role-plays struggle to capture the complex dynamics, histories, and emotional nuances that make real workplace conversations so challenging.
This is where innovation is transforming how we develop these crucial leadership skills. Over the past few months, I’ve been working with Ian Zhu, a US-based entrepreneur, to bring an exciting solution to New Zealand educators. NIMO, an AI-based conversation platform, is revolutionising how we practice these challenging conversations.
The inspiration for the design of this platform came from the need to see more support for the development of the kinds of competencies/capabilities they will need as they become adults and as they go through life – things like persevering, learning from mistakes, trying new approaches and knowing how you learn. In the US these are becoming referred to as Durable Skills and include a combination of how you use what you know – skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity – as well as character skills like fortitude, growth mindset, and leadership.
NIMO isn’t yet available more widely, but is being trialled in a number of locations in the US, and now in NZ via the FutureMakers website. Thus we were able to introduce our group of APs and DPs to the product and let them loose on trying the different scenarios that are available. After some initial reticence at having to ‘speak to a computer’ the participants became fully engrossed in the scenario they had chosen, determined to use the skills and experience they have accumulated in their current leadership roles in schools to work towards a resolution of the particular issue or concern being represented.
Using NIMO is pretty straight forward. On the FutureMakers trial page you’ll find a number of scenarios – one of which is illustrated to the left here. There’s a green button below this that you use to launch the simulation.
You’ll need to ensure you have a computer or laptop equipped with speakers and microphone, as from this point you will be ‘speaking’ with an AI agent that has been trained to take on the role of the individual described in the scenario.
You will be briefed on what your task and role is when you launch the simulation, and from there you simply begin engaging with the character in the simulation.
There’s no pre-determined design to the process you’ll follow. The AI agent has been trained to listen to the feedback you provide, the questions you ask, the tone of your voice etc. and provide responses based on what is heard – pretty much as you’d expect to find in a ‘real life’ scenario. The best part here is that you get to practise rather than go straight into what is often a high stakes situation involving various levels of uncertainty, misunderstanding or conflict.
The participants in our workshop worked in pairs to engage with the particular scenario they chose – with one person focused on holding the conversation and the other observing and making notes along the way.
At any point during the conversation – or when you have reached a point where there’s a mutually agreed solution – you can click on the ‘end simulation’ button and you are provided with a complete transcript of what has been spoken, and a call analysis (see right) that provides AI-generated insights into the key moments in the conversation where these skills have been demonstrated or where they could be improved. The analysis provides plenty of ‘next steps’ suggestions for now you might refine your approach or where you might use an alternative strategy.
The analysis concludes with a summary of the durable skills that are relevant to this scenario and provides an assessment of how these have been demonstrated by you through the whole of the conversation.
The participants in our programme found this extremely useful and spent some time reading and reflecting on what was provided, with many then opting to have a second go at engaging in the simulation to see how the might improve the outcome. Many of the group came back the next morning reporting that they’d spent more time overnight trying out different strategies and endeavouring to improve their approach. Some even invited their spouse to experience what it was like to engage in these sorts of conversations and some very positive feedback was received from one who saw immediate application for use in his business environment.
The power of AI-based simulations like NIMO lies in their ability to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application. By providing a responsive, judgment-free environment where educators can practice and refine their communication skills, these tools offer something traditional role-play scenarios simply cannot – authentic, dynamic interactions that adapt to each participant’s approach while providing detailed, actionable feedback.
The enthusiasm shown by our workshop participants – from their initial skepticism to spending extra time practicing overnight and even sharing the experience with family members – demonstrates the compelling nature of this approach to professional development. This isn’t just about learning new skills; it’s about building the confidence to apply them effectively in real-world situations.
Could you be ready to transform how you approach challenging conversations in your school? Join the growing community of educators enhancing their leadership capabilities through AI-supported practice:
- Visit the introducing NIMO page on the FutureMakers website to access the NIMO trial
- Start with a simple scenario to familiarize yourself with the platform
- Share your experience with colleagues and build a community of practice
- Contact me to learn more about incorporating NIMO into your school’s professional development program
Don’t let the challenge of difficult conversations hold you back from being the educational leader your school needs. Take the first step today and experience how AI can support your professional growth.
2 replies on “Open to learn conversations”
A great demonstration of the power of NI+AI! Natural Intelligence amplified by technology for those with open minds prepared to experiment and harness the best of both.
This is GREAT application of AI as a tool for improving one’s confidence in having the difficult conversations.