Managing Difficult Conversations

Managing Difficult Conversations

You know that knot in your stomach when you see an email from that one colleague, or when your boss asks if you've got a minute to chat? We've all been there. Whether it's telling someone their performance isn't cutting it, addressing a team member who keeps missing deadlines, or having to deliver bad news about budget cuts, difficult conversations are part of working life. The problem is, most of us would rather stick our heads in the sand and hope these issues magically resolve themselves.

But here's the thing - avoiding these conversations doesn't make them go away. It just makes them harder and more awkward when you finally can't avoid them anymore. I've seen managers who've let problems fester for months because they dreaded having "the talk," only to find the situation had become ten times worse. On the flip side, I've watched leaders who mastered this skill turn potentially explosive situations into productive discussions that actually strengthened working relationships.

This course isn't about becoming some sort of confrontation superhero. It's about learning practical techniques that help you navigate these conversations with confidence and skill. You'll learn how to prepare for difficult discussions so you're not stumbling over your words, how to stay calm when emotions start running high, and most importantly, how to focus on solutions rather than just pointing out problems.

We'll cover real scenarios you're probably facing right now - like dealing with someone who gets defensive at the first hint of feedback, managing conversations about poor performance without crushing someone's confidence, and having those delicate discussions about workplace behaviour that's affecting the whole team. You'll practice leadership skills that help you approach these situations from a place of support rather than confrontation.

What You'll Learn

You'll walk away knowing how to structure difficult conversations so they actually lead somewhere productive. We'll show you how to set the right tone from the start, ask questions that get to the heart of issues without putting people on the defensive, and handle emotional reactions (both yours and theirs) professionally. You'll learn the difference between giving feedback and launching into criticism, and how to keep conversations focused on behaviours and outcomes rather than personalities.

We'll also tackle the stuff that keeps most people awake at night - like how to deliver disappointing news, how to address conflicts between team members, and how to have performance conversations that motivate rather than deflate. Plus, you'll get practical scripts and frameworks you can actually use when you're back at work on Monday morning.

The course covers essential managing difficult conversations techniques including active listening skills, de-escalation strategies, and follow-up approaches that ensure the conversation leads to lasting change.

The Bottom Line

Stop dreading those conversations that need to happen. This isn't about becoming a tough-talking boss who loves conflict - it's about developing the skills to handle challenging discussions professionally and effectively. When you can navigate difficult conversations well, you'll find that problems get resolved faster, relationships actually improve, and you'll spend less time dealing with the same issues over and over again.

Location: Perth
Duration: 1 Day
Format: Interactive workshop with role-playing and practical exercises