Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Perth

Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Perth

You know that feeling when you see someone's name pop up on your calendar and your stomach drops? We've all got that one person - maybe it's the team member who gets defensive about everything, the client who questions every decision, or the colleague who somehow turns every discussion into an argument. You've probably been putting off that conversation for weeks, hoping the issue will just... disappear. Spoiler alert: it won't.

Here's the thing - most of us never actually learned how to have these conversations properly. We either avoid them completely (and watch problems get worse), go in guns blazing (and make everything worse), or try to be so diplomatic that nothing actually gets resolved. Sound familiar?

This isn't another session about "active listening" where you practice nodding enthusiastically. This is about the real stuff - like what to do when someone starts crying in the middle of your feedback session, how to address performance issues without destroying someone's confidence, or how to push back on unrealistic demands without burning bridges.

You'll learn how to prepare for conversations that actually matter. We're talking about the practical stuff - how to structure difficult discussions so they don't spiral out of control, what to say when someone gets emotional or aggressive, and how to follow up so things actually change. You'll practice with scenarios that mirror what you're dealing with right now, not some textbook example about widgets and profit margins.

What You'll Learn

How to prepare for tough conversations without scripting every word (because they never go according to script anyway)
Techniques for staying calm when the other person gets heated or defensive
Ways to deliver difficult messages that people can actually hear and act on
How to handle common reactions like tears, anger, or complete shutdown
Methods for following up that ensure real change happens, not just temporary compliance
Strategies for having these conversations remotely when you can't read body language as easily

We'll work through the conversations you're actually avoiding right now. Whether it's addressing poor performance, setting boundaries with demanding clients, or dealing with difficult behaviours that are affecting team morale, you'll leave with a clear plan for tackling them.

The best part? You'll discover that most people actually appreciate direct, honest conversations when they're handled well. That person you've been dreading talking to might just surprise you. And even if they don't, you'll have the tools to handle whatever comes your way.

The Bottom Line

You can't avoid difficult conversations forever, but you can get better at having them. This training gives you practical techniques that work in real workplace situations, not perfect laboratory conditions. You'll walk away knowing exactly how to approach those conversations you've been putting off, with the confidence to handle whatever response you get. Because let's face it - these conversations are going to happen whether you're prepared or not. Might as well be the person who knows how to navigate them successfully.

After this session, you'll find yourself actually looking forward to clearing the air instead of letting issues fester. Your team will respect your directness, your clients will appreciate your honesty, and you'll sleep better knowing you're not carrying around a mental list of conversations you should have had months ago. Plus, you'll become the person others come to when they need to have their own difficult conversations - because you'll actually know what you're doing.