Managing Difficult Conversations - Adelaide

Managing Difficult Conversations - Adelaide

You know that sinking feeling when you need to have "that conversation" with someone at work? Whether it's addressing poor performance, giving tough feedback, or dealing with a workplace conflict, we've all been there - staring at our computer screen, rehearsing what we'll say, and secretly hoping the problem will just magically resolve itself.

Here's the thing: avoiding difficult conversations doesn't make them go away. They just get bigger, messier, and more uncomfortable. I've seen managers put off performance discussions for months, only to end up in HR's office dealing with a much bigger mess. I've watched teams fall apart because nobody wanted to address the elephant in the room. And honestly, I've been there myself - we all have.

The good news? Having difficult conversations isn't about being confrontational or aggressive. It's actually a skill you can learn, and once you've got it down, you'll wonder why you ever dreaded these discussions. Most people think they need to be "tough" or "mean" to have these talks, but that's completely wrong. The most effective difficult conversations happen when you're clear, respectful, and focused on solutions.

In this practical workshop, you'll learn how to approach sensitive topics without making things worse. We'll cover how to prepare for these conversations so you feel confident going in, not like you're walking into a minefield. You'll discover techniques for staying calm when the other person gets defensive (because they probably will), and how to keep the discussion productive instead of letting it spiral into an argument.

We'll practice real scenarios too - the kind you actually face at work. Like when your usually reliable team member starts missing deadlines, when you need to tell a colleague their communication style is causing problems, or when you have to deliver news that nobody wants to hear. You'll leave with specific phrases and approaches you can use immediately.

What You'll Learn

How to prepare for difficult conversations so you feel confident and clear about your message. You'll know exactly what to say and how to structure the discussion for the best outcome.

Techniques for starting these conversations without putting people on the defensive. There's definitely a right and wrong way to open these discussions.

How to stay calm and professional when emotions run high, including what to do when someone gets angry, upset, or tries to derail the conversation.

Ways to keep discussions focused on solutions and outcomes rather than getting stuck in blame or finger-pointing.

Strategies for following up after difficult conversations to ensure real change happens and relationships remain intact.

How to handle specific workplace scenarios like performance issues, interpersonal conflicts, and delivering unwelcome news.

The Bottom Line

Nobody enjoys difficult conversations, but they're part of working with people. The difference between managers who struggle with their teams and those who get great results often comes down to their willingness and ability to address issues directly and respectfully. You can't avoid these conversations forever, but you can get really good at having them. When you do, you'll find that most "difficult" conversations aren't actually that difficult at all - they're just conversations that needed to happen. Your team will respect you more, problems will get solved faster, and you'll spend way less time worrying about things that could be fixed with a simple, honest discussion.