Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Melbourne

Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Melbourne

You know that sinking feeling when you see "We need to talk" in your calendar? Or when you realize you've been avoiding that conversation with your team member for three weeks now because you just don't know how to bring it up without making things worse? Yeah, we've all been there. Whether it's addressing poor performance, dealing with conflict between colleagues, or having to deliver bad news, difficult conversations are part of working life - but nobody teaches you how to handle them without losing sleep the night before.

Here's the thing: most people think difficult conversations are difficult because of the topic. But after training thousands of managers and team leaders, I can tell you the real challenge isn't what you're talking about - it's how you're talking about it. When you don't have a structure or approach, these conversations either get avoided completely (making problems worse) or they blow up into something much bigger than they needed to be.

This isn't about becoming a conflict resolution expert overnight. It's about having practical tools you can use next week when Sarah keeps missing deadlines, or when you need to tell the team about budget cuts, or when two of your best people can't seem to work together anymore. We'll cover the preparation that actually matters (hint: it's not scripting every word), how to start these conversations without putting people on the defensive, and what to do when things don't go according to plan - because they rarely do.

What You'll Learn

How to prepare for tough conversations so you feel confident instead of anxious - including the three questions you must ask yourself before every difficult discussion

The simple framework that keeps conversations productive even when emotions run high, plus what to say when someone gets defensive or shuts down completely

How to deliver criticism that people can actually hear and act on, rather than the feedback that makes people nod and smile but never change anything

Practical techniques for managing difficult conversations when you're dealing with strong personalities, resistance to change, or people who love to argue

What to do when conversations go sideways - the recovery techniques that can save a relationship even after things get heated

How to follow up after difficult conversations to ensure actual change happens, not just temporary compliance

The Bottom Line

Look, avoiding difficult conversations doesn't make them go away - it just makes them harder. By the end of this session, you'll have a clear process for tackling these discussions head-on, plus the confidence to know you can handle whatever comes up. You'll stop dreading these conversations and start seeing them as opportunities to actually solve problems and deal with difficult behaviours before they become bigger issues. Most importantly, you'll have practical skills you can use immediately - no theory, just real-world techniques that work when the pressure's on.