Audit team training focuses on challenging conversations

Last weekend the six-monthly meeting of the audit team of the Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (VA, the Dutch Martial Arts Authority) took place. The auditors shared experiences and received additional training, this time on challenging conversations.

The auditors meet twice a year to bring each other up to date, to learn from one another and for additional training. After a joint discussion of the audits carried out at events and gyms in recent months, a compelling presentation on difficult conversations during audits followed.

Mark van Dieren and Ruben Assmann of React Advies & Training explained which techniques can be used to make a challenging conversation go well. Among other things, they discussed the role of non-verbal communication, both your own and that of the other person.

The specialists in aggression management also discussed how to respond to someone who becomes (too) emotional during a conversation. What signs show that someone is becoming agitated, even before that agitation is expressed verbally? How do you create a situation in which all those involved can have a calm and constructive conversation? The presentation was followed by role-playing and exercises.

The VA organises this type of additional training to give auditors even more tools to conduct conversations and audits in a positive manner.