Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Adelaide
Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Adelaide
You know that sinking feeling when you need to address poor performance with a team member, or when a customer complaint escalates into a heated argument? We've all been there. You spend hours rehearsing what you'll say, but the moment arrives and everything falls apart. The conversation goes sideways, emotions run high, and you're left wondering how it went so wrong. Here's the thing - difficult conversations don't have to be disasters waiting to happen.
After 15 years of coaching managers through these exact scenarios, I can tell you that most people avoid these conversations until they become explosive. But when you have the right framework and tools, these discussions become opportunities to solve problems, build trust, and actually strengthen relationships. You'll stop losing sleep over upcoming meetings and start seeing them as a normal part of effective leadership.
This isn't about learning corporate speak or memorizing scripts. It's about understanding why conversations go wrong and having practical strategies that work in real situations. Whether you're dealing with a defensive employee, an angry customer, or a colleague who keeps missing deadlines, you'll walk away with techniques you can use immediately. We'll cover everything from reading body language and managing your own emotional responses to handling workplace conflicts that seem impossible to resolve.
The training is designed around actual workplace scenarios - no theoretical examples or role plays with perfect outcomes. You'll practice with situations that mirror what you face every day: the team member who takes feedback personally, the client who threatens to leave, the peer who undermines you in meetings. We'll work through the conversation structures that prevent these discussions from derailing while keeping relationships intact.
What You'll Learn
How to prepare for difficult conversations so you stay calm and focused instead of getting caught off guard
The specific language patterns that defuse tension rather than escalate it
Why timing and setting matter more than you think, and how to get both right
Techniques for staying in control when the other person becomes emotional or aggressive
The difference between being direct and being harsh - and how to deliver tough messages with respect
Strategies for dealing with difficult behaviours like defensiveness, blame-shifting, and stonewalling
How to follow up after challenging conversations to ensure lasting change
Methods for documenting conversations properly to protect yourself and your organization
The Bottom Line
You'll stop dreading difficult conversations and start seeing them as part of your professional toolkit. Instead of avoiding problems until they explode, you'll address issues early and constructively. Your team will respect your directness while feeling supported rather than attacked. You'll save time, reduce stress, and build stronger working relationships even when discussing challenging topics. Most importantly, you'll have the confidence to tackle any conversation that comes your way.