Managing Difficult Conversations - Geelong

Managing Difficult Conversations - Geelong

You know that sinking feeling when you need to have "that conversation" with someone at work? Maybe it's addressing poor performance with a team member, giving feedback that won't be well-received, or dealing with a colleague who's been pushing boundaries. We've all been there - staring at our phone or computer, rehearsing what we'll say, then putting it off for another day because we're just not sure how to handle it without making things worse.

Here's the thing: avoiding difficult conversations doesn't make them go away. They just get more complicated, and the problems underneath keep growing. What if you could approach these situations with confidence, knowing exactly how to navigate them while maintaining relationships and getting real results?

This isn't about becoming confrontational or turning into someone you're not. It's about developing the practical skills to handle challenging conversations professionally and effectively. You'll learn how to prepare for these discussions, manage your own emotions and reactions, and guide conversations toward productive outcomes rather than arguments or hurt feelings.

We'll cover real workplace scenarios - the performance conversation that's been months overdue, the colleague who takes credit for your work, the team member who constantly interrupts meetings, or the boss who keeps changing priorities without explanation. You'll practice techniques for staying calm under pressure, asking the right questions to understand the real issues, and finding solutions that work for everyone involved.

The focus is on managing difficult conversations in a way that strengthens working relationships rather than damaging them. You'll discover how to deliver tough messages with empathy, handle defensive reactions, and turn potentially explosive situations into opportunities for positive change.

What You'll Learn:
- How to prepare for difficult conversations so you feel confident going in
- Techniques for staying calm and focused when emotions run high
- Ways to frame challenging topics that reduce defensiveness
- How to listen effectively even when the other person is upset or angry
- Strategies for finding common ground and moving toward solutions
- Methods for following up to ensure lasting change
- How to handle situations where conversations don't go as planned

You'll also learn when to have these conversations privately versus involving others, how to document important discussions appropriately, and how to rebuild trust when relationships have been strained. We'll explore the difference between being direct and being harsh, and how to maintain your professional reputation while addressing problems head-on.

The training includes plenty of practice with feedback, because reading about effective delegation skills is one thing - actually doing it under pressure is another. You'll role-play different scenarios and learn from others' experiences, so you're better prepared for whatever comes up in your actual workplace.

The Bottom Line: You'll leave this session with a clear framework for handling any difficult conversation that comes your way. Instead of avoiding these discussions and hoping problems resolve themselves, you'll have the confidence and skills to address issues directly and professionally. Your relationships with colleagues will improve, workplace tensions will decrease, and you'll be seen as someone who can handle challenging situations with maturity and skill. Most importantly, you'll stop dreading these conversations and start seeing them as opportunities to solve problems and strengthen your working relationships.