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 sorting out a conflict between team members, difficult conversations are part of working life. Yet most of us would rather hide in the stationery cupboard than face these situations head-on.

Here's the thing - avoiding difficult conversations doesn't make them go away. That underperforming team member still isn't pulling their weight. The colleague who keeps interrupting everyone in meetings is still doing it. And that client who's constantly changing requirements? They're still driving your project timeline into the ground.

I've been training managers and team leaders for over fifteen years, and I can tell you that the people who master difficult conversations are the ones who build stronger teams, get better results, and sleep better at night. This isn't about becoming confrontational or aggressive - it's about having honest, respectful conversations that actually solve problems.

In this one-day workshop, you'll learn practical techniques that work in real workplace situations. We're not talking theory here - we're talking about scripts you can actually use when your team member shows up late for the third time this week, or when you need to tell a client their "quick change" will blow the budget by 40%.

You'll discover how to prepare for these conversations so you feel confident going in, not like you're walking into a minefield. We'll cover how to stay calm when emotions run high (because they will), and how to keep the conversation focused on solutions rather than blame. Plus, you'll learn how to follow up effectively so the conversation actually leads to change.

The workshop includes plenty of role-playing with realistic scenarios - no cheesy corporate examples about hypothetical situations. We're talking about real stuff like dealing with the team member who thinks they know better than everyone else, or having the conversation with someone who's been with the company for twenty years but isn't adapting to new processes.

What You'll Learn:
- How to plan and structure difficult conversations so they don't go sideways
- Specific phrases and techniques to stay professional when things get heated
- Ways to address performance issues without destroying relationships
- How to give feedback that people actually listen to and act on
- Strategies for dealing with difficult behaviours before they become bigger problems
- Methods to follow up and ensure real change happens
- How to handle emotional reactions (theirs and yours) during tough discussions
- Techniques for finding common ground when perspectives clash

You'll also learn when not to have certain conversations - because sometimes timing really is everything. We'll talk about how to recognize when you need HR support, and how to document conversations properly to protect yourself and your organisation.

The Bottom Line:
By the end of this workshop, you'll have the tools and confidence to tackle those conversations you've been putting off. You'll know how to address issues early before they become major problems, and you'll be able to maintain good working relationships even when discussing difficult topics. Most importantly, you'll stop losing sleep over conversations you need to have because you'll know exactly how to manage difficult conversations professionally and effectively.

This training is perfect for managers, team leaders, project managers, or anyone who needs to address performance or behaviour issues as part of their role. Come ready to practice, share experiences, and leave with strategies you can use immediately.