Managing Difficult Conversations

Managing Difficult Conversations

We've all been there - sitting in your car after work, replaying that awkward conversation with your colleague, thinking "I should have said this" or "Why didn't I handle that better?" Whether it's giving feedback to someone who's defensive, addressing poor performance, or navigating workplace conflict, difficult conversations are part of working life. The problem is, most of us never learned how to have them properly.

You know those conversations I'm talking about. The ones you put off for weeks, hoping the problem will magically resolve itself. The performance review where you dance around the real issues. The meeting where tension fills the room but nobody addresses the elephant. Or worse, the conversations that go completely off the rails, leaving relationships damaged and problems unsolved.

Here's the thing - difficult conversations don't have to be disasters. With the right approach, they can actually strengthen relationships and solve problems for good. This training teaches you practical techniques that work in the real world, not textbook theory that falls apart the moment emotions get involved.

You'll learn how to prepare for these conversations so you're not winging it. We'll cover how to start them without putting people on the defensive, how to stay on track when things get heated, and how to end them with clear agreements that actually stick. We'll also tackle the emotional side - managing your own nerves and dealing with other people's reactions, from tears to anger to complete shutdown.

The best part? These aren't just workplace skills. The same techniques work when you need to have tough conversations with anyone - your boss, your team, even family members. Once you get comfortable with communication skills like these, you'll wonder how you ever managed without them.

What You'll Learn

How to plan difficult conversations so you're confident going in, not stressed out
Techniques to start conversations without triggering defensiveness
Ways to keep discussions focused on solutions, not blame
Strategies for managing emotions - yours and theirs - when things get intense
How to listen properly when someone's upset or angry
Methods to reach agreements that actually get followed through
Recovery techniques when conversations go sideways
Building stronger relationships through honest, respectful dialogue

The Bottom Line

Nobody enjoys difficult conversations, but avoiding them just makes problems worse. This problem-solving training gives you a clear framework to handle them professionally and effectively. You'll leave with practical tools you can use immediately, plus the confidence to address issues before they become major headaches. Your relationships will improve, problems will get solved faster, and you'll stop losing sleep over conversations you need to have.

Location: Perth