Managing Difficult Conversations Training Course - Perth

Managing Difficult Conversations Training Course - Perth

You know that sinking feeling when you see your problem employee's name pop up on your calendar for a "quick chat"? Or when you have to tell someone their performance isn't cutting it? Yeah, we've all been there. Those conversations that make you want to hide in the supply closet instead of facing them head-on.

Here's the thing - most of us never learned how to handle these situations properly. We either avoid them until they explode, or we dive in guns blazing and make everything worse. I've watched managers lose sleep for weeks over a conversation that could've been handled in 20 minutes with the right approach.

The reality is that difficult conversations aren't going away. Whether it's addressing poor performance, dealing with workplace conflict, giving tough feedback, or having to deliver bad news about budgets or restructures, these moments are part of leadership. But here's what I've learned after years of helping managers through these situations - it's not about being the "tough boss" or sugar-coating everything. It's about having a framework that actually works.

This training gives you that framework. We'll walk through real scenarios you face every day - like telling someone their attitude is affecting the team, addressing attendance issues, or dealing with someone who keeps missing deadlines. You'll learn how to prepare for these conversations (because winging it never works), how to stay calm when emotions run high, and most importantly, how to actually get results instead of just checking a box.

We cover the psychology behind why people get defensive, how to frame difficult messages so they land properly, and what to do when someone starts crying, yelling, or shutting down completely. Plus, we'll tackle those tricky situations like dealing with someone who's been with the company forever but isn't performing, or addressing inappropriate workplace behavior that's making others uncomfortable.

What You'll Learn

How to plan and structure difficult conversations so you stay on track and get your point across clearly. We'll give you templates and scripts that actually work in real situations, not corporate speak that sounds good on paper but falls apart when someone gets upset.

Techniques for staying calm and professional even when the other person becomes emotional or aggressive. You'll learn specific phrases that de-escalate tension and keep the conversation productive instead of turning into a shouting match or awkward silence.

How to deliver criticism and negative feedback in a way that motivates change rather than crushing morale. There's definitely an art to this - being direct without being cruel, and firm without being a bully.

Strategies for handling common reactions like denial, anger, tears, or complete withdrawal. We'll practice with real scenarios so you know exactly what to say when someone responds with "That's not fair!" or "Everyone else does it too!"

Documentation and follow-up techniques that protect both you and your employee. You'll learn what to write down, when to involve HR, and how to create accountability without micromanaging.

Methods for having productive conversations about sensitive topics like personal hygiene, communication skills, or cultural differences that might be affecting work relationships.

The Bottom Line

After this training, you'll actually look forward to addressing issues instead of letting them fester. Well, maybe "look forward to" is strong - but you definitely won't lose sleep anymore. You'll have the confidence to tackle problems early before they become disasters, and your team will respect you more because they'll know where they stand. Most importantly, you'll see real behavior changes because people will understand exactly what needs to improve and how to do it. These skills don't just make you a better manager - they make your entire workplace more honest, productive, and way less stressful for everyone involved.