Managing Difficult Conversations Training Course

Managing Difficult Conversations Training Course

Location: Melbourne

You know that sinking feeling when you see someone's name pop up on your calendar and you immediately think "this is going to be painful"? Whether it's addressing poor performance, giving feedback that nobody wants to hear, or dealing with that colleague who seems determined to make every discussion into an argument, we've all been there. The problem isn't that these conversations need to happen - it's that most of us have never actually been taught how to have them without things going sideways.

Look, nobody wakes up excited about telling someone their work isn't cutting it or explaining why their idea won't work. But here's what I've learned after years of watching managers tie themselves in knots avoiding these discussions: the conversation you don't have today becomes three times harder next month. And when you finally do have it, you're dealing with a much bigger mess because small issues became big problems while you were hoping they'd magically fix themselves.

This training isn't about becoming some conflict-resolution superhero or memorising a bunch of corporate speak. It's about having real tools for real situations - like when your usually reliable team member suddenly starts missing deadlines, or when someone takes feedback as a personal attack, or when you need to discuss budget cuts with people who are already stretched thin. You'll learn how to prepare for these conversations so you're not winging it in the moment, how to stay calm when things get heated, and most importantly, how to keep the focus on solving problems rather than creating new ones.

The approach we use is practical stuff that actually works in the real world. You'll practice with scenarios that mirror what you're probably dealing with right now - not textbook examples that sound nothing like your workplace. We'll cover how to read the room and adjust your approach when your first attempt isn't landing, how to deal with emotional reactions (yours and theirs), and how to follow up afterward so the conversation actually leads to change.

What You'll Learn

How to prepare for difficult conversations so you feel confident going in rather than dreading every minute
Techniques for staying calm and focused when discussions get emotional or heated
Ways to frame feedback and concerns that people can actually hear and act on
Strategies for dealing with defensive reactions, pushback, and difficult personalities
How to keep conversations productive when they start going off track
Practical follow-up approaches that ensure conversations lead to real change
Methods for handling your own stress and emotions during challenging discussions

The Bottom Line

After this training, you'll stop avoiding the conversations that need to happen. You'll have a clear process for approaching difficult discussions, tools for staying on track when things get messy, and the confidence to address issues before they become major problems. Most importantly, you'll find that having these conversations becomes less draining and more effective - which means better outcomes for everyone involved and less stress for you.

The best part? When you start handling these conversations well, people actually appreciate the clarity and honesty. Instead of walking on eggshells or letting problems fester, you'll be the kind of leader who addresses issues directly but fairly. Your team will know where they stand, and you'll sleep better knowing you're not letting small problems turn into big headaches down the road. Plus, you'll discover that most people actually want this kind of direct, honest communication - they've just been waiting for someone brave enough to start the conversation.