Q&A Playbook

Description

PSEA has partnered with The Humphrey Group to deliver a tailored workshop, the Q&A Playbook, to leaders in the post-secondary sector.

BC’s public post-secondary institutions are navigating one of the most disruptive periods in recent history. The federal cap on international student study permits, introduced in 2024 and tightened further in 2025, has created cascading impacts across the sector, including layoffs, program suspensions, hiring freezes, and structural deficits.

Leaders within institutions, including academic administrators, HR professionals, and labour relations practitioners, are being asked to lead difficult conversations, navigate strained employee and union relationships, and support their teams through prolonged uncertainty and heightened emotions. When faced with difficult or unexpected questions, particularly when clear answers may not yet exist, many leaders can feel unprepared.

For more than 35 years, The Humphrey Group has helped leaders become stronger, more confident communicators. Their singular focus on leadership communication brings a depth of expertise that equips participants with practical tools they can apply immediately.

Goal:

This workshop is designed to help participants navigate challenging questions while ensuring people feel heard, respected, and understood.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn and practice a simple, repeatable methodology to respond to challenging questions with clear, composed and audience-centred answers.
• Build confidence through guided practice in a low-risk environment.
• Develop strategies to manage emotion, stay on message, and respond effectively in real time, even in difficult situations.

Facilitator:

Elissa Lansdell has over 15 years of experience in media and communications. She has helped professionals refine their messages, captivate audiences, and lead with confidence. 

Ellissa incorporates powerful mindset techniques that help clients reframe limiting beliefs and build the confidence to communicate authentically and with impact. Her facilitation style is dynamic, insightful and infused with warmth and humour, creating a space where clients can refine their presence and connect with their audience on a deeper level. 

Elissa holds an Honours BA in Political Science and English from the University of Toronto. She is also a Certified Emotion Code Practitioner and a certified Psych-K Practitioner.