Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Perth

Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Perth

You know that feeling when you see someone's name pop up on your calendar and your stomach immediately drops? Or when you walk into the office knowing you've got to have THAT conversation - the one you've been putting off for weeks? We've all been there. Whether it's giving feedback to an underperforming team member, addressing workplace conflict, or pushing back on unrealistic demands from your boss, difficult conversations are part of work life. The problem is, most of us never learned how to handle them properly.

Here's what I've seen after twenty years of coaching managers: the conversations you avoid don't go away, they just get worse. That team member who's consistently missing deadlines? They're not mind readers - they need direct feedback. The colleague who keeps interrupting you in meetings? Hoping they'll figure it out on their own isn't working. Meanwhile, you're losing sleep, second-guessing yourself, and probably coming across as passive-aggressive without meaning to.

This training isn't about becoming confrontational or learning corporate speak that sounds nice but says nothing. It's about having real, honest conversations that actually solve problems. You'll learn how to prepare for tough discussions so you're not stumbling over your words, how to stay calm when emotions run high, and most importantly, how to frame difficult messages in ways that people can actually hear. We'll practice with scenarios you'll recognise from your own workplace - because dealing with a defensive colleague requires different skills than managing workplace anxiety during performance reviews.

The practical side covers everything from timing (hint: Friday afternoon is rarely the right choice) to body language, tone of voice, and what to do when someone gets upset or shuts down completely. You'll learn the difference between being direct and being harsh, how to acknowledge emotions without getting derailed by them, and practical phrases that actually work in real situations. We'll also tackle the follow-up - because the conversation isn't over when you leave the room.

What You'll Learn:
- How to prepare for difficult conversations without over-scripting or avoiding them entirely
- Techniques to stay calm and focused when things get heated or emotional
- The art of being direct and honest while maintaining professional relationships
- How to deliver difficult messages that people can actually hear and act on
- What to do when conversations go sideways - because they sometimes will
- Follow-up strategies that ensure real change happens after the discussion
- How to handle workplace bullying situations and other sensitive workplace issues

The Bottom Line:
You'll leave this session with practical tools you can use immediately. No more sleepless nights rehearsing conversations in your head, no more hoping problems will resolve themselves, and no more feeling like you're walking on eggshells around certain people. These are skills that make you a better manager, colleague, and honestly, a better communicator in all areas of life. When you can have difficult conversations with confidence and skill, work becomes a lot less stressful and a lot more productive.