Managing Difficult Conversations

Managing Difficult Conversations

Course Outline

By David Smith, Leadership Coach

These un archived conversations that have the capacity to change everything are very often the hardest ones to have. Would you believe me if I said you can learn to tackle tough conversations not only to resolve issues, but to realise your full potential as a leader and to create the kind of workplace culture you've always wanted?

Overview

Every leader encounters situations that require the courage to lean into them. No matter if it's when to perform, resolve a workplace battle or deliver tough feedback, these discussions build or break our teams and define our efficacy as a leader. This in depth class will change the way you think about challenging conversations from that thing you fear into a leadership superpower.

Based on the best work in real workplaces across Australia, this programme offers practical principles and evidence based strategies for staying on track when emotions are running high and stakes are high! You will find that hard conversations, if done deftly, are positive chances to expand, clarify, and improve relationships.

Curriculum Based Outcomes

At the end of the course, trainees will be able to:

Core Communication Competencies:

Strategic prep skills for high stakes talks

Emotional regulation tactics for trying conversations

Active listening that reduces stress and promotes rapport

Respectful, honest communication approaches With regards to communication, clear, straightforward can help maintain respect and dignity.

Leadership Application Skills:

Performance management discussions that lead to improvement

Team conflict mediation strategies

Feedback methods that inspire rather than dismay

A plan for follow up so behaviour change lasts long term

Professional Development:

Confident response to workplace challenges

Improved team dynamics and productivity

Stronger work relationships based on trust and transparency

Less stress at work & more calm under pressure

What You Will Learn

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Module 1: The Core of Difficult Conversations

Why we avoid tough conversations, and the true cost of doing so

The psychology of defensive responses and how to work with them

Constructing your emotional intelligence arsenal with high stakes action plans

Module 2: Strategic Preparation

The CLEAR tips for planning conversation

These meetings should include clear agenda and objectives, and should be based on outcomes, not just venting frustrations

Establishing safe spaces for candid conversation

Hatching reactions and getting responses ready

Module 3: Navigating the Conversation

Lead ins that immediately set the right tone

The ability to keep your emotions in check when challenged or when acting in the face of resistance.

It's the kind of active listening skills that make other people feel heard and appreciated

Refocusing techniques that move decouplers from finger pointing to problem solving

Module 4: Delivering Effective Feedback

specific, actionable feedback using the SBI I model (Situation Behaviour Impact Intent)

Correcting behaviours without harming self esteem

Inspirational propaganda for change, not obedience

Managing the depth of your emotions with compassion and firmness

Module 5: Conflict Resolution Mastery

Mediating conflicts and conflicts of working between team members efficiently

Creating Win Win out of No Win Situations

De escalation techniques for heated discussions

Finding common ground to be productive together

Module 6: Follow Through and Accountability

Developing action plans focused on explicit expectations and due dates

Monitoring progress without micromanaging

Encouragement of positive gains and intervention with temporary failures

Creating a culture where hard conversations are normal and good

Concluding Remarks

What separates leaders who flourish from those who languish? Frequently, it's their willingness to have the conversations others shy away from. This course is not about giving you some leadership communicating techniques, it changes how you communicate and lead.

You'll walk away with a take home toolkit of tested, real world scripts, frameworks and strategies used in Australian workplaces. But, more crucially, you will build your confidence in tackling problems early, rather than having them mushroom into team wide issues.

The result? Increased relationships, stronger teams and the peace of mind of knowing that you can handle whatever difficult situation walks through your door. Invest in these core leadership capacities now and your future self will be the one with a smile on their face.

This isn't about getting in their face, it's about having the courage to lead with compassion. And when you get good at hard conversations, you don't just change your workplace, you change lives including your own.

Both in Perth and online study, so you get to choose the best way to learn.