Managing difficult conversations

Difficult conversations are never easy, whether it's with a boss about missed targets or with an employee about poor performance. They can be painful and make us feel uncomfortable. Yet these conversations are not only an inevitable part of corporate life, but are often necessary to achieve progress.

The Managing Difficult Conversations workshop provides participants with a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application of conversational skills, with a focus on how to put it into practice in the workplace.

Learning outcomes and benefits

• Discover the barriers to effective communication and common mistakes
• Understand how to manage the exchange so that it goes as smoothly as possible
• Develop negotiation skills to achieve desired outcomes while keeping the relationships intact
• Learn a structured approach to preparing for difficult conversations with stakeholders (clients, colleagues, supervisors, management, etc)
• Practice templates to build confidence in managing difficult conversations

• Practice how to start and manage difficult conversations with staff
• Learn how to give feedback effectively
• Build practical skills in handling performance conversations