Managing Difficult Conversations - Perth

Managing Difficult Conversations - Perth

You know that feeling when you see someone's name pop up on your phone and your stomach drops? When you realise you need to have THAT conversation - the one you've been putting off for weeks? Whether it's telling a team member their performance isn't cutting it, addressing a colleague who keeps missing deadlines, or having to deliver news that nobody wants to hear, difficult conversations are part of every workplace. And let's be honest, most of us would rather clean the office kitchen than face them head-on.

Here's the thing though - avoiding these conversations doesn't make them go away. They just get harder and messier over time. I've watched managers tie themselves in knots trying to hint around an issue instead of just addressing it directly. I've seen team relationships deteriorate because someone couldn't bring themselves to speak up about a problem. And I've worked with plenty of people who've lost sleep over conversations they need to have but don't know how to start.

The good news is that managing difficult conversations isn't some mystical skill that only certain people possess. It's a learnable set of techniques that can transform how you handle workplace challenges. When you know how to approach these situations with confidence, you'll stop dreading them and start seeing them as opportunities to solve problems and strengthen relationships.

What makes a conversation difficult anyway? Usually it's a combination of strong emotions, conflicting viewpoints, or high stakes. Maybe you're dealing with someone who gets defensive easily, or you're worried about damaging a working relationship. Perhaps you're not sure how to be direct without being harsh, or you're concerned about legal implications. These are all valid concerns that we'll tackle in this training.

In this workshop, you'll learn practical strategies that work in real workplace situations. We'll cover how to prepare for difficult conversations so you feel confident going in, not like you're walking into a minefield. You'll discover how to create the right environment for honest dialogue and how to keep conversations productive when emotions start running high. We'll also explore how to deliver tough messages with clarity and compassion, and how to handle pushback or resistance without losing your cool.

You'll practice techniques for staying calm under pressure, because let's face it - the other person might not take the news well initially. We'll work through real scenarios that you might face in your workplace, from performance issues to interpersonal conflicts. And importantly, you'll learn how to follow up after these conversations to ensure positive outcomes and maintain relationships.

What You'll Learn:

You'll master a step-by-step framework for planning and structuring difficult conversations so you never feel unprepared again. You'll learn how to choose the right time, place, and approach for maximum impact and minimum drama. We'll show you how to use specific language that gets your point across clearly without putting people on the defensive.

You'll discover proven techniques for managing your own emotions and staying professional when things get heated. You'll practice active listening skills that help the other person feel heard, even when you're delivering unwelcome news. We'll cover how to find common ground and work toward solutions that everyone can live with.

You'll learn how to handle common reactions like anger, tears, silence, or aggressive pushback. We'll explore how to document these conversations appropriately and when to involve HR or senior management. You'll also discover how to repair relationships after difficult conversations and prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

We'll tackle specific scenarios like giving negative feedback, addressing difficult behaviours, discussing performance improvements, and managing workplace conflicts. You'll leave with templates and scripts you can adapt for your own situations.

The Bottom Line:

Stop losing sleep over conversations you need to have. This workshop gives you the tools and confidence to address workplace issues head-on, professionally, and effectively. You'll save time and stress by dealing with problems before they escalate, and you'll build stronger working relationships through honest, respectful communication. Your team will respect your directness, and you'll wonder why you ever found these conversations so intimidating in the first place.