Difficult Conversations: Making the Impossible Conversation Possible

Many of my coaching conversations have had at their heart a leader needing to have a “difficult conversation” in order to make changes. 

This course will give you the skills and confidence to arrange and have these crucial and important conversations with team members, peers, your own manager or suppliers. By the end of the course you will be ready, prepared and equipped to tackle situations you might often look to defer or ignore.

If conducted professionally with skill, crucial conversations improve individual and team performance. They also build morale and significantly increase your leadership satisfaction.

The course and individual coaching session provide a practical approach for identifying, preparing and engaging in those difficult but “must have” conversations including:

• Giving bad news
• Major decisions
• Sensitive issues
• Inappropriate behaviour.

What will I learn?
During the day we will specifically cover;

• Understanding what a difficult conversation is and the benefits of having them
• Being able to prepare professionally to maximise the likelihood of the conversation being successful
• Learning new (and refreshing old) skills to increase your confidence in having difficult conversations
• Having a professional follow up approach that helps maximise the benefits of the conversation.

Topics will include;

• What are difficult conversations and why have them?
• The different types of difficult conversations leaders need to have
• Exploring why these conversations feel difficult.
• What can we do to prepare for a conversation?
• Identifying skills and techniques for delivering a difficult conversation successfully
• Following up difficult conversations.

Is this course for me?
Yes, if you are someone who needs to a crucial work based conversation. This course is applicable to Managers, Senior Managers, CEO’s and Trustees.

“Today has been thought-provoking, often challenging but nurturing at the same time. I felt that a safe space was provided in which to share our experiences, which helped to foster conversation and learning.”  - M. H-B at Woodbrooke Quaker Centre

“Really great to explore tricky work dynamics-Rob encouraged and enabled us to be open and supportive of each other.” A.F. at Birmingham LGBT

“An informative and engaging course, full of relevant interaction which will support in my role as manager and beyond.
Rob has a wealth of knowledge and his training style promotes a relaxed learning
style with plenty of opportunity to reflect.” K.M. Camphill Village Trust

“Rob makes you think about your current practices and how you can improve. Lots
of great resources which I will use in the future.” KB at CGL.