Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Adelaide

Managing Difficult Conversations Training - Adelaide

You know that sinking feeling when you see someone's name pop up on your calendar and you immediately think "This is going to be awkward." Whether it's delivering feedback to an underperforming team member, addressing a colleague's inappropriate behaviour, or having that dreaded budget conversation with your boss - we've all been there. Most of us would rather clean the office toilets than have those tough conversations that keep us awake at night.

Here's the thing though - avoiding these conversations doesn't make them disappear. If anything, they just get harder and the problems get bigger. That employee who's consistently late? They're still showing up whenever they feel like it. That team member who undermines everyone in meetings? They're still doing it. The longer you wait, the more damage gets done to relationships, productivity, and your own credibility as a leader.

This isn't about becoming confrontational or aggressive - quite the opposite actually. It's about learning how to approach sensitive topics with confidence and skill, so you can address issues before they become disasters. You'll discover how to prepare for these conversations properly (because winging it rarely works), how to stay calm when things get heated, and most importantly, how to turn potentially destructive discussions into opportunities for positive change.

What You'll Learn

You'll walk away knowing exactly how to structure difficult conversations so they actually achieve something useful rather than making everyone angry. We'll show you the specific phrases that defuse tension instead of escalating it, and you'll practice techniques for keeping discussions focused on solutions rather than getting bogged down in blame and defensiveness. You'll also learn how to read body language and verbal cues so you know when to push forward and when to take a step back.

We cover everything from performance conversations and conflict resolution to delivering bad news and setting boundaries with colleagues who consistently overstep. You'll get templates and frameworks you can use immediately, plus strategies for following up to ensure the conversation actually leads to lasting change.

The Bottom Line

Most people avoid difficult conversations because they don't know how to have them effectively. This training gives you a proven system for tackling tough topics with confidence, so you can address problems early before they spiral out of control. You'll leave with practical tools you can use straight away, whether you're dealing with a performance issue, a personality clash, or any other workplace challenge that's been eating away at you. The best part? These skills work just as well for effective communication in your personal life too.