Managing Difficult Conversations - Perth

Managing Difficult Conversations - Perth

You know that sinking feeling when you realise you need to have THAT conversation with someone at work. Maybe it's giving feedback to someone who gets defensive, addressing a colleague who keeps missing deadlines, or having to tell your boss their latest idea won't work. We've all been there - putting off these conversations until they become bigger problems, or diving in unprepared and making things worse.

Here's the thing: difficult conversations don't have to be career-limiting disasters. With the right approach, they can actually strengthen relationships and solve problems before they spiral out of control. I've seen managers go from dreading these interactions to actually feeling confident about them, and the difference it makes to their team dynamics is remarkable.

This isn't about becoming confrontational or learning corporate-speak that nobody believes. It's about having real, honest conversations that get results without damaging relationships. You'll learn how to prepare for these discussions, manage your own emotions when things get heated, and guide conversations toward solutions rather than blame. We'll cover everything from dealing with someone who shuts down completely to handling people who get aggressive when challenged.

The techniques we'll explore work whether you're talking to your direct reports, peers, or even your own manager. You'll practice with scenarios that mirror real workplace situations - not role-plays about theoretical problems. We'll look at how to give feedback that people can actually hear, how to address performance issues without making people feel attacked, and how to navigate those tricky conversations about workplace behaviour.

What You'll Learn

How to prepare for difficult conversations so you're not winging it
Techniques for staying calm when the other person gets emotional or defensive
Ways to frame feedback that focuses on solutions rather than blame
Strategies for dealing with people who avoid, attack, or shut down during conversations
How to follow up effectively so the conversation actually leads to change
Methods for managing difficult conversations in different contexts - with staff, colleagues, and managers

The Bottom Line

Walking away from this training, you'll have a clear framework for approaching any difficult conversation with confidence. You won't be perfect straight away - these skills take practice - but you'll have the tools to handle these situations professionally and effectively. Most importantly, you'll stop avoiding the conversations that need to happen, which means problems get solved faster and relationships stay intact. The people around you will notice the difference in how you handle challenging situations, and that's exactly the kind of workplace wellbeing skill that sets leaders apart.