Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Perth

Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Perth

You know that sinking feeling when you see someone's name pop up on your calendar and you just know it's going to be one of those conversations. Maybe it's the employee who's been showing up late, the colleague who keeps pushing boundaries, or the team member whose attitude is affecting everyone else. We've all been there - staring at our phone or computer screen, rehearsing what we're going to say, hoping we don't make things worse.

Here's the thing: difficult conversations don't get easier by avoiding them. They just get more difficult. And when you finally do have them, you're often so worked up that you either come across too harsh or you water down your message so much that nothing actually changes. Sound familiar?

This isn't about becoming some tough-talking manager who enjoys conflict. It's about having real conversations that actually solve problems instead of creating bigger ones. You'll learn how to address issues before they blow up, how to stay calm when someone gets defensive, and how to have these talks in a way that preserves relationships instead of destroying them.

The practical stuff you'll walk away with includes knowing exactly how to start these conversations without putting people on the defensive, what to do when someone starts yelling or shuts down completely, and how to follow up afterwards so the changes actually stick. You'll also get comfortable with managing difficult conversations that involve performance issues, personality clashes, and those awkward situations where you have to deliver bad news.

What You'll Learn

How to prepare for tough conversations so you feel confident going in, not like you're walking into a minefield. You'll know what to say, how to say it, and what to do if things go sideways.

The difference between being direct and being harsh - because there's a sweet spot where you can be clear about problems without destroying someone's confidence or making them hate you.

How to handle the emotional stuff that comes up in these conversations. When people get upset, defensive, or angry, you'll know how to keep things on track instead of getting pulled into drama.

Specific techniques for different types of difficult conversations - whether it's performance issues, interpersonal conflicts, or delivering unwelcome news like budget cuts or role changes.

How to document these conversations properly so you're covered from an HR perspective, but without turning every interaction into a formal disciplinary process.

Ways to follow up that ensure the conversation actually leads to change, not just temporary compliance that goes back to the old ways within a week.

The Bottom Line

After this training, you'll stop dreading these conversations and start seeing them as just another part of your job - an important part that you can handle well. You'll have the tools to address problems early before they become big issues, and you'll feel confident that you can have these talks without damaging your working relationships. Most importantly, you'll see actual results from your conversations instead of having the same issues come up over and over again. This kind of communication training changes how you work with people every single day, not just in crisis situations.