**Managing Difficult Conversations - Brisbane**
**Managing Difficult Conversations - Brisbane**
You know that sinking feeling when you need to address performance issues with your team member, give constructive feedback that might sting a bit, or have that awkward conversation about behaviour that's affecting everyone else? Yeah, we've all been there. You put it off for days, maybe weeks, rehearsing what you'll say while hoping the problem will magically fix itself. Spoiler alert: it never does.
Here's the thing - difficult conversations aren't going away. In fact, they're probably the single biggest challenge most managers and team leaders face. Whether it's addressing poor performance, dealing with workplace conflict, or delivering disappointing news, these conversations can make or break relationships, team morale, and ultimately your results. The good news? You can absolutely get better at them, and when you do, everything else becomes easier.
This isn't about learning corporate scripts or memorising HR-approved phrases that sound like they came from a robot. It's about developing the real skills you need to have honest, productive conversations that actually solve problems instead of creating new ones. You'll learn how to prepare for these discussions without overthinking yourself into paralysis, how to stay calm when emotions run high, and most importantly, how to guide conversations toward solutions that work for everyone.
We'll work through real scenarios you're probably dealing with right now - like the team member who's been coasting for months, the colleague who takes credit for others' work, or the situation where you need to deliver feedback that someone definitely won't want to hear. You'll practice managing difficult conversations in a safe environment where you can make mistakes, get feedback, and build confidence before you're back in the real world.
**What You'll Learn**
You'll walk away knowing how to structure a difficult conversation so it stays on track instead of spiraling into an argument or awkward silence. We'll cover the preparation phase - what to think through beforehand and what questions to ask yourself so you're not winging it. You'll learn techniques for staying composed when the other person gets defensive, emotional, or tries to deflect blame.
Most importantly, you'll understand how to focus conversations on behaviours and outcomes rather than personalities, which is the difference between productive feedback and personal attacks. We'll also tackle the follow-up phase because the conversation is just the beginning - you need to know how to monitor progress and maintain accountability without becoming the office micromanager.
You'll practice active listening skills that actually work in tense situations, learn to read body language and emotional cues, and discover how to ask questions that uncover the real issues instead of just addressing symptoms. Plus, we'll cover how to handle the most common derailing tactics people use when they don't want to face reality.
**The Bottom Line**
When you leave this session, you'll have a toolkit of practical strategies you can use immediately. No more losing sleep over conversations you need to have. No more watching small problems grow into department-wide disasters because nobody wanted to speak up. You'll know how to approach these situations with confidence, get to the heart of issues quickly, and most importantly, maintain relationships while still getting results. Because at the end of the day, these conversations are about helping people succeed, not making them feel terrible. And when you get that balance right, both you and your team will be much better off.
The skills you'll develop here will make you a stronger leader, a more effective communicator, and honestly, they'll probably improve your personal relationships too. Managing difficult conversations is a skill that pays dividends everywhere, and once you've got it down, you'll wonder why you waited so long to learn it properly.