$197intermediate

Managing Difficult Conversations

Name: Managing Difficult Conversations
Price: 197.00 USD
Availability: InStock

This course equips supervisors and managers with practical tools and frameworks for navigating difficult conversations confidently and effectively. Through a structured one-day workshop format, you will learn how to plan and carry out challenging discussions, manage your own reactions, apply active listening and questioning techniques, and achieve productive outcomes — all while maintaining safety and mutual respect.

17 lessons5 modules480 minutes

What you'll learn

Define frame of reference and explain how it influences difficult conversations
Establish positive intent and identify a desired outcome before entering a difficult conversation
Apply effective communication skills including active listening, body language, and questioning techniques
Draft a script or template for a difficult conversation using a structured framework
Execute the eight-step process for carrying out a difficult conversation
Maintain safety and mutual respect throughout challenging discussions
Identify when to walk away or escalate a conversation

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Where and When You Have the Conversation Matters You can't always choose the time and place for a difficult conversation — sometimes they arise in the middle of another meeting or unexpectedly in a hallway. But when you *can* plan ahead, the environment you choose has a significant impact on how the conversation unfolds. Choosing the Right Location Think about the outcome you want before selecting a meeting location: **Your office:** If you need to assert authority, meeting in your office may be appropriate. However, consider whether sitting across a desk from each other sets the wrong tone. A round table or side-by-side seating within your office can soften the dynamic and make the conversation feel less like an interrogation. **A neutral meeting room:** This is usually your best option. A comfortable, private room with appropriate lighting puts both parties on equal footing and creates the conditions for a constructive conversation. **Public spaces (restaurants, coffee shops):** Avoid these. If the conversation becomes heated, you risk making a scene. If either of you is worried about being overheard, important things may go unsaid — creating an undercurrent of unresolved conflict. Timing Considerations Consider what time of day and what point in the week is best for a difficult conversation. In general: **Avoid Monday mornings** when workloads feel heaviest and stress is

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Managing Difficult Conversations

What you'll learn

Preview a lesson

Curriculum

Module 1: Course Overview & Choosing to Have the Conversation

Module 2: Toolkit for Successful Conversations

Module 3: Choosing the Time and Place

Module 4: Framework for Difficult Conversations

Module 5: Staying Safe & Bringing It All Together

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