Managing Difficult Conversations - Brisbane

Managing Difficult Conversations - Brisbane

You know that sinking feeling when you need to have a tough conversation with a colleague, team member, or customer? Maybe it's about poor performance, a personality clash, or that awkward situation where someone's overstepping boundaries. Most of us would rather stick pins in our eyes than have these discussions, so we put them off... and put them off... until the situation gets so bad that when we finally do speak up, it's usually when we're frustrated and the conversation goes sideways.

Here's the thing I've learned after years of watching managers and team leaders struggle with this: difficult conversations don't have to be difficult. They just need to be handled differently than your everyday chats. When you know how to structure these discussions properly, they become just another tool in your communication toolkit - and honestly, they can actually strengthen relationships rather than damage them.

This workshop gives you a practical framework for those conversations you've been avoiding. We'll work through real scenarios - the employee who's constantly late, the colleague who takes credit for your work, the customer who's never satisfied. You'll learn how to prepare mentally and practically, how to stay calm when emotions run high, and most importantly, how to focus on solutions rather than just airing grievances.

What You'll Learn:

How to prepare for difficult conversations so you're not winging it in the moment
Techniques to keep your emotions in check when the other person gets defensive
A simple structure that guides the conversation toward productive outcomes
Ways to listen actively even when you disagree with what you're hearing
How to set clear expectations and consequences without sounding threatening
Strategies for following up to ensure lasting change

We'll practice with scenarios that actually happen in workplaces - not role-plays about theoretical situations. You'll leave with templates you can use immediately and the confidence to tackle those conversations you've been putting off. The best part? Once you get good at this, you'll find that most "difficult" conversations become routine check-ins because you're addressing issues before they explode.

One thing I always tell participants: people respect directness more than they resent it. When you can communicate with influence and handle tough topics professionally, you build trust. And when team members know you'll address problems fairly and consistently, they're more likely to come to you before small issues become big problems.

The Bottom Line:

You'll walk away knowing exactly how to structure those conversations you've been dreading, with practical tools that work in real workplace situations. No more sleepless nights worrying about how to bring up sensitive topics - you'll have a system that gets results while maintaining relationships. Plus, you'll discover that being able to handle difficult situations professionally is one of the fastest ways to build credibility as a leader, whether you manage people or not.