Private Training

Difficult Conversations

½ or 1 day

About this Workshop

Whether sharing bad news with a client, providing corrective action, or talking with a colleague about an uncomfortable issue, difficult conversations are typically stressful and often take a large mental and emotional toll. Many people avoid difficult conversations for these reasons, or find themselves ill prepared when they must have them. Yet, the ability to handle difficult conversations respectfully and professionally is one of the most important skills for success in the workplace. This workshop will review the key elements of preparing for, conducting, and concluding difficult conversations. Participants will leave with a set of tools to help ensure that difficult conversations are productive, professional, and respectful for all involved.

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Target Audience

This is an introductory-intermediate level workshop applicable to both employees and managers.

Method of Delivery

Presentation, video, case study exercises, experiential practice, personal reflection, and small group discussions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Describe how to prepare for the next difficult conversation you encounter
  • Identify when and how to conduct a difficult conversation
  • List some tools to help you in your difficult conversations

Topics Included

  • Types of Difficult Conversations
  • Our Natural Responses to Difficult Conversations
  • Determining if a Conversation is Necessary
  • How to Stop Avoiding the Interaction
  • How to Prepare for the Difficult Conversation
  • Key Skills and Strategies for Engaging
  • What to Do If They Won’t Engage
  • Concluding the Conversation
  • Keys for Delivering Bad News
  • How to be Open to Receiving the Difficult Conversation

Length

Half-day version: The half-day version of this workshop covers much of the same material as the one-day version but there is less emphasis on skills practice.

One-day version: The full-day training is a comprehensive and skill-based workshop where participants apply the content directly to their context with the focus on skill development.

Private Training

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