Managing Difficult Conversations

Managing Difficult Conversations

You know that sinking feeling when you need to have "that conversation" with a colleague, team member, or boss? The one you've been putting off for weeks because you're not sure how it'll go? Maybe it's addressing someone's poor performance, giving feedback that won't be well received, or dealing with a conflict that's been brewing. We've all been there - staring at our phone, rehearsing what we'll say, then chickening out at the last minute.

Here's the thing: avoiding these conversations doesn't make them disappear. They just get harder and more awkward as time goes on. I've seen teams fall apart because nobody wanted to address the elephant in the room, and I've watched talented people leave good jobs because their manager couldn't have an honest conversation about what was going wrong.

This isn't another touchy-feely communication workshop where you practice active listening with role-plays that feel nothing like real life. This is about getting practical tools that actually work when someone gets defensive, when emotions run high, or when you're dealing with that colleague who seems to take everything personally. You'll learn how to prepare for conversations you're dreading, how to stay calm when things get heated, and how to actually get to solutions instead of just talking in circles.

The reality is that managing difficult conversations is one of those skills they never teach you in school, but it's absolutely crucial for your career progression. Whether you're a team leader who needs to address performance issues, a project manager dealing with scope creep, or just someone who wants to speak up when things aren't working, these skills will serve you well beyond this training room.

We'll cover real scenarios like handling pushback when you give constructive feedback, dealing with people who get emotional or angry, navigating conversations about sensitive topics, and having those performance discussions that everyone dreads. You'll also learn how to read the room, when to pause a conversation that's going off the rails, and how to follow up afterwards to make sure things actually change.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this session, you'll know how to prepare for difficult conversations so you feel confident going in, not anxious. You'll have specific phrases and techniques for staying professional when someone gets defensive or angry. You'll understand how to focus conversations on solutions rather than blame, and you'll know how to handle the most common difficult conversation scenarios that come up in workplaces. Most importantly, you'll have practiced these skills in realistic scenarios so you're ready to use them straight away.

You'll also learn how to recognise when a conversation is going sideways and how to get it back on track, how to deal with people who shut down or get aggressive, and how to document these conversations properly for HR purposes when needed. We'll cover the difference between giving feedback and having a disciplinary conversation, and when to involve your manager or HR.

The Bottom Line

Look, nobody enjoys difficult conversations, but they're part of working with people. The difference between high performers and everyone else isn't that they avoid these situations - it's that they handle them professionally and get results. This training gives you the confidence and practical skills to have these conversations without the drama, stress, and sleepless nights. You'll leave knowing exactly what to say and how to say it, whether you're dealing with a delegation issue that's not working out or a more serious performance problem. These aren't just nice-to-have skills - they're essential for anyone who wants to advance their career or simply have less stress at work.

Available in Perth