SESSION ABSTRACT: For many, diversity sessions are akin to having their teeth pulled with a pair of pliers, without the novacaine. For both presenter and learner, these sessions can be grueling, seemingly with no answers in sight and sometimes creating more distance than closeness. The presenter's challenges generally include: getting learners to open up and keep participating; getting learners to ask meaningful content related questions; keeping the session moving and avoiding the learner "blame game"; and discussing application after a poignant/controversial conversation. During this interactive session, learners will practice creative diversity training techniques and share their professional and personal diversity experiences. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Diffuse participant tension and negative energy at the start, during, and close of a session. Develop methods to encourage learners to share pertinent diversity experiences including the highs and the lows. Apply strategies for motivating learners to formulate meaningful short-and long-term diversity performance improvement plans.