Course Outline

Introduction

  • Why difficult conversations are avoided
  • The cost of misalignment and unspoken tension
  • Conversation vs confrontation
  • The leadership mindset required for candour
  • Understanding psychological safety

The Anatomy of a Difficult Conversation

  • Common conversation breakdown patterns
  • Emotional triggers and reactivity
  • Power dynamics and role clarity
  • The difference between intention and impact

Structuring the Conversation

  • Clarifying the real objective
  • Preparing the conversation framework
  • Opening strongly and setting context
  • Naming expectations clearly
  • Moving from problem to agreement

Managing Emotion and Resistance

  • Recognizing defensiveness
  • Responding without escalating
  • Staying grounded under pressure
  • De-escalation strategies
  • Rebuilding trust when conversations derail

Accountability and Follow-Through

  • Setting clear behavioural expectations
  • Defining ownership and timelines
  • Documenting agreements
  • Following up without micromanaging

Practice Lab

  • Role-play exercises
  • Peer feedback
  • Hot-seat Coaching debriefs
  • Application to real workplace scenarios

Summary and Next Steps

  • Common pitfalls to avoid
  • Personal action plan
  • Embedding courageous conversations into leadership practice

Requirements

  • An understanding of basic leadership principles
  • Experience managing or leading teams
  • Prior experience participating in team meetings or performance discussions

Audience

  • Managers and team leads 
  • HR and People & Culture professionals
  • Senior leaders and executives
  • Project and program managers
  • Anyone responsible for leading conversations that influence performance or direction
 7 Hours

Delivery Options

Private Group Training

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  • Pre-course call with your trainer
  • Customisation of the learning experience to achieve your goals -
    • Bespoke outlines
    • Practical hands-on exercises containing data / scenarios recognisable to the learners
  • Training scheduled on a date of your choice
  • Delivered online, onsite/classroom or hybrid by experts sharing real world experience

Private Group Prices RRP from £1900 online delivery, based on a group of 2 delegates, £600 per additional delegate (excludes any certification / exam costs). We recommend a maximum group size of 12 for most learning events.

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