World-class faculty
Our faculty have applied these skills under pressure at crucial moments in their careers - including preparation for Olympic competition.
VIRTUAL / IN-PERSON DELIVERY
3x4 Coaching: Mastering Challenging Conversations.
Learn and master the skills and tools great coaches use to communicate effectively through pressure and conflict.
Trusted by the best
Our partnership with the Smith School of Business at Queen's University has delivered our coaching programs to executives for over 20 years.
Sticks under pressure
Participants not only learn a structural approach for a productive conversation - they learn crucial emotion regulation skills for when the heat inevitably rises and tempers flare.
A practical model for confronting
Challenging conversations are unavoidable in life and in business. 3×4 Coaching: Mastering Challenging Conversations is a comprehensive communications course that equips leaders to be effective in any conversation they need to have, challenging or otherwise.
This program provides a comprehensive, step by step, process for preparation and delivery of a difficult conversation and teaches the communication skills required to keep the conversation on track and maximise the opportunities inherent in a potentially conflictual intervention.
A key skill in any difficult conversation, no matter how mild or severe, is the ability to manage reactivity in oneself and in the other. A combination of all of the above skills is what allows a leader to be an effective communicator, and coach, in situations that range from mildly uncomfortable to very difficult. In other words, this program will equip leaders to communicate effectively in any situation where they may be feeling some pressure themselves.
On completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Reflect deeply on their own responses to uncomfortable conversations, using tools like the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument to understand their personal conflict-handling styles.
- Recognize behaviors that negatively impact conversations, and replace them with approaches that encourage positive outcomes.
- Master communication skills vital for effective dialogue, including active listening, effective questioning, blending and non-verbal acuity.
- Monitor and control their own emotional reactions in real-time, preventing personal biases from derailing discussions.
- Adapt to resistance and emotional reactions from others by employing strategies that defuse tension and promote understanding.
- Leverage peer coaching to analyze and plan for a real challenging conversation they need to have.
Meet the facilitators
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Garry Watanabe
Garry Watanabe is an expert on coaching and performance psychology with a wealth of experience working under the peak of pressure in both business and sport. Learn more
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Karyn Garossino
Karyn is an Olympic figure skater with a Master's Degree in psychology and adult education - and boundless enthusiasm. Learn more
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Jacques Charuest
Jacques Charuest has thirty years of Human Resources experience, working with, and for, organizations of all shapes and sizes. Learn more
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Dane Jensen
Dane is the CEO of Third Factor, an acclaimed speaker, instructor at the University of North Carolina, and a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review. Learn more
Learn more.
Get the fact sheet on Managing Challenging Challenging Conversations.
Our perspectives
Trusted by
The gold standard for coaching education
3x4 Coaching has been recognized by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for meeting the highest standards in coaching professional development. The Continuing Coach Education (CCE) accreditation is awarded through a rigorous review process and demonstrates that 3x4 Coaching has met the ICF’s strict educational and ethical requirements.
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3 plays. 4 skills. 1 mindset.
In our 30 years of working with world-class coaches we've observed that, as unique as coaches are, the best of the best all consistently execute 3 plays using 4 communication skills rooted in a strong bias toward developing others.
When people have clarity on what's expected of them and why it matters, the competence to do their job well, and recognition for their efforts, both performance and engagement flourish. By asking effective questions and actively listening to their people, giving competent, relevant feedback and confronting problem behaviours when necessary great coaches unlock potential and spur growth.
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Developmental bias.
At the heart of great coaching is a mindset that we call a 'developmental bias.' Great coaches focus on empowering and strengthening the people they coach. They build a relationship rooted in high standards and caring, and align themselves with the part of the person they are coaching that wants to improve.
The developmental bias is what unlocks the power of the plays and skills. When people believe the coach has their best interests at heart they are much more receptive to feedback and open and honest with their answers to questions.
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The 3 Plays: Clarity. Competence. Recognition.
In every conversation that a coach has they focus on one of three core plays: building clarity around what high performance looks like and why it matters, building the competence and confidence of the performer to reach those expectations, or providing recognition for effort and progress.
These three plays form the virtuous cycle of great coaching. By setting high standards, giving people the support to strengthen their competence and reach those standards and the satisfaction that their efforts are appreciated, great coaches can continually raise the bar on results while at the same time building commitment and engagement.
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The 4 Skills: Questioning. Listening. Feedback. Confronting.
Great coaches master four core communication skills to execute the three plays: asking effective questions, actively listening, giving competent, relevant feedback, and confronting when necessary.
While asking questions and listening are the dominant skills of a coach, coaching is about more than just asking questions. High performers are thirsty for feedback on how to improve, and great coaches don't let people under-perform in ways that are limiting them - they know how to confront poor performance from a place of development and caring.
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Get the whitepaper.
Still curious? We thought you might be.
This whitepaper, authored by Third Factor CEO Dane Jensen and Director of Training Peggy Baumgartner take you inside the 3x4 Coaching model for a close look at each of the 3 plays and 4 skills of great coaches.
Swipe to learn more
Upon completion of the 3x4 Coaching Virtual Learning Journey, participants will be able to:
- Define coaching and use the 3x4 Coaching model to drive high performance in others
- Recognize the role of emotion and imagination in coaching
- Execute an action plan to build and deepen relationships
- Create self-awareness and responsibility in others through effective questioning and active listening
- Deliver competent, relevant, meaningful feedback
- Recognize people in a manner that is targeted, relevant and reinforces the behaviours that drive performance
- Overview a method for confronting people who need to change behaviour and/or improve performance
- Build the competence and confidence of their people
- Use a coaching map to GROW others and build their commitment to a solution
- Create an action plan to transfer skills to the workplace, building in support and accountability
Upon completion of the 3x4 Coaching 2-Day Classroom Workshop, participants will be able to:
- Define coaching and use the 3x4 Coaching model to drive high performance in others
- Recognize the role of emotion and imagination in coaching
- Execute an action plan to build and deepen relationships
- Create self-awareness and responsibility in others through effective questioning and active listening
- Deliver competent, relevant, meaningful feedback
- Recognize people in a manner that is targeted, relevant and reinforces the behaviours that drive performance
- Overview a method for confronting people who need to change behaviour and/or improve performance
- Build the competence and confidence of their people
- Use a coaching map to GROW others and build their commitment to a solution
- Create an action plan to transfer skills to the workplace, building in support and accountability
Upon completion of the 3x4 Coaching 1-Day Classroom Workshop, participants will be able to:
- Define coaching and use the 3x4 Coaching model to drive high performance in others
- Recognize the role of emotion and imagination in coaching
- Execute an action plan to build and deepen relationships
- Create self-awareness and responsibility in others through effective questioning and active listening
- Deliver competent, relevant, meaningful feedback
- Use a coaching map to GROW others and build their commitment to a solution
- Create an action plan to transfer skills to the workplace, building in support and accountability
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I can’t recommend 3x4 Coaching highly enough! The sessions have been described as 'the best we’ve ever been to,' 'very impressive,' and 'time well spent.' Our leaders are already asking for more—a true testament to the program’s impact and Third Factor’s expertise in designing and delivering exceptional learning experiences.
Kent James
Senior Manager, Learning and Talent Development CSX
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3x4 Coaching is instrumental in evolving our leaders’ (Mangers – Partners) roles from managing to developing people. We strive to embody a coaching culture that emphasizes personal growth and candid feedback, and that's exactly what this program delivers. Despite the time commitment required from our leaders, they unanimously say it’s well worth their while. Third Factor's approach seamlessly integrates with our unique and dynamic work environment, enhancing leadership effectiveness and fostering a more human connection.
Megan Long
Learning & Development Lead Monitor Deloitte
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3x4 Coaching is one of the best leadership development experiences I have seen. It is at the heart of large programs that we deliver in some of the world’s leading energy, banking, and manufacturing companies and we consistently get exceptional feedback. The model is practical, grounded in both research and practice – and when it’s brought to life by Third Factor’s world-class facilitators, the results are transformational.
David Hofmann
Senior Associate Dean UNC Executive Development
Meet our world-class faculty
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Garry Watanabe
Garry Watanabe is an expert on coaching and performance psychology with a wealth of experience working under the peak of pressure in both business and sport. Learn more
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Peggy Baumgartner
Peggy Baumgartner is a respected educator, thought leader and coach who has facilitated the development of top performers in business and sport for over 25 years. Learn more
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Kim Fulton
Kim is a leadership expert and strategic advisor to organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to non-profits. Learn more
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Karyn Garossino
Karyn is an Olympic figure skater with a Master's Degree in psychology and adult education - and boundless enthusiasm. Learn more
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Chris Farris Zabaneh
Chris Farris Zabaneh is a consultant and coach with an eclectic background and deep expertise in leadership and communication. Learn more
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Jacques Charuest
Jacques Charuest has thirty years of Human Resources experience, working with, and for, organizations of all shapes and sizes. Learn more
Whitepaper: The 3 Plays and 4 Skills of Exceptional Coaches
Third Factor CEO Dane Jensen and Director of Training Peggy Baumgartner take you inside the 3x4 Coaching model for a deeper look at how great coaches operate and how we can all learn and master their playbook.
DownloadUpcoming open enrollment programs
Queen’s Leadership Program
Experience an intensive 5-days of self-discovery, one-on-one coaching, classroom discussions and team exercises that will change the way you think about leadership and the way you are perceived as a leader.
Coaching for high performance – Queen’s Executive Education
Develop your coaching skills in our flagship online 3x4 Coaching learning journey delivered in partnership with Queen's Executive Education.
Apr 2 - Apr 3, 2025 — Register
Our perspectives
Ready to learn more?
Download the brochure with more info about how to develop world-class coaches in your organization.