The School Business Communications 101 Micro-Certificate is a self-paced online program designed to help school business professionals strengthen their communication and conflict management skills through practical, real-world strategies. Led by nationally recognized negotiation and communication expert Kwame Christian, Esq., M.A., this six-module program provides actionable tools to help participants overcome conversation avoidance, communicate more effectively, and approach challenging interactions with greater confidence and emotional intelligence.

Through engaging instruction, reflection activities, peer discussions, and knowledge checks, participants will learn how to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism, compassion, and assertiveness while building stronger working relationships across teams and departments.

Ideal for CBOs, directors, managers, supervisors, fiscal and HR professionals, purchasing and payroll staff, executive assistants, and other school business professionals, this program supports both professional growth and personal development by helping participants become more intentional, confident, and effective communicators.

Participants will gain practical communication strategies they can apply immediately in their daily work, helping them better manage conflict, establish healthy boundaries, foster collaboration, and communicate more clearly in high-pressure situations.

Program Format:
Online CASBO SBU (Self-Paced)

Presenter:
Kwame Christian, Esq., M.A.
CEO, American Negotiation Institute
Author of Finding Confidence in Conflict and host of the #1 negotiation podcast worldwide
CASBO Con 2025 Keynote Speaker

Who Should Attend:
CBOs, directors, managers, supervisors, fiscal and HR professionals, purchasing and payroll staff, executive assistants, and other school business professionals interested in strengthening communication skills, improving collaboration, and building confidence in difficult conversations.

What You Will Learn:

Module 1: Fear and Courage
Reprogram your mindset to overcome conversation avoidance and recognize conflict signals you can manage.

Module 2: Finding Confidence in Conflict
Learn strategies to reframe fear, activate motivation, and build confidence for difficult conversations.

Module 3: The Compassionate Curiosity™ Framework
Apply a practical framework that transforms conflict into connection through intentional communication.

Module 4: Say It Like It Is — The Art of Clear Communication
Strengthen your ability to prepare, frame, listen, and communicate messages effectively.

Module 5: Assertive Communication and Boundaries
Learn to communicate assertively, establish healthy boundaries, and navigate conflict without damaging relationships.

Module 6: Avoid Common Communication Mistakes
Identify common communication pitfalls and develop strategies to sustain long-term success.

What You Will Earn:
Participants who complete approximately six hours of self-paced coursework, all knowledge checks, peer discussions, and the course evaluation will earn a verified CASBO School Business Communications 101 Micro-Certificate. This printable credential can be shared with supervisors, colleagues, and professional networks as recognition of your commitment to professional growth and effective leadership.

CEUs: 6.00

Plus, earn a digital badge to share on your email signature and social media accounts.

Registration Fees:

• CASBO Member: $495
• Non-Member: $695

Team Discount for CASBO Members:
Teams of five or more may register at a discounted rate of $400 per participant. Contact membership@casbo.org for manual processing.

Registration and Cancellation Deadline:
June 2, 2026

Cancellation Fee:
$150

Program Access Information:
On the program start date, participants will receive an email from sbu@casbo.org with access instructions, course materials, and SBU login details.

What Participants Are Saying

“This program helped me slow down and become more intentional about how I approach difficult conversations, especially in high-pressure or compliance-driven situations. The tools around compassionate curiosity, expectation alignment, and boundary setting have already changed how I prepare for and engage in conversations at work.”
— Javaid Ashraf, Director, Business Systems and Innovation, Orange County DOE

“It has helped me better understand how to listen with intention, express myself more clearly, and approach conversations with confidence and empathy. It made a meaningful difference.”
— Elly Pierce, Accountant, Shasta COE

“This program helped me become more aware of how my tone and word choice affect difficult conversations. It reminded me to slow down, stay calm, and focus on shared goals instead of reacting emotionally.”
— Patty Núñez, CBO, Laton USD