**Managing Difficult Conversations**

**Managing Difficult Conversations**

You know that feeling when you need to address someone's performance issues, deliver bad news about budget cuts, or tackle that awkward situation where two team members can't stand each other? Your stomach knots up, you rehearse what you'll say in the shower, and then somehow the conversation goes completely sideways anyway. I've been there, and so has every manager I've ever worked with.

The truth is, most of us never learned how to handle these conversations properly. We either avoid them until they become explosive situations, or we dive in headfirst and make everything worse. Neither approach works, and everyone suffers - including you, your team, and ultimately your results.

Here's what I've learned after years of both screwing up and getting these conversations right: there's actually a method to it. It's not about being the "tough boss" or trying to be everyone's friend. It's about having a clear structure, the right mindset, and some practical tools that work in real situations.

In this training, we'll work through the exact scenarios you're probably dreading. Like how to tell someone their attitude is affecting the whole team without them getting defensive. Or how to deliver news about restructuring without losing your best people. We'll practice the conversations that keep you awake at night, using real examples from participants' workplaces.

You'll learn how to prepare for these conversations without over-scripting them, how to stay calm when emotions run high, and most importantly, how to keep the focus on moving forward rather than just venting frustrations. We'll also cover what to do when someone completely shuts down or explodes - because let's face it, that happens.

**What You'll Learn**

You'll walk away knowing how to structure any difficult conversation using a simple framework that works whether you're dealing with performance issues, conflict between colleagues, or delivering unwelcome changes. You'll practice staying centered when things get heated and learn specific phrases that de-escalate tension rather than making it worse.

We'll cover how to follow up after these conversations to make sure the message actually stuck, and how to document everything properly without sounding like a robot. You'll also learn when to involve HR and when to handle things yourself - a skill that can save you serious headaches down the track.

**The Bottom Line**

Stop dreading these conversations and start seeing them as opportunities to actually solve problems. When you handle difficult conversations well, you build stronger relationships, create clearer expectations, and honestly, you'll sleep better at night. The supervisor training workshop techniques we'll practice work in any industry, with any personality type, and they get easier every time you use them. Whether you're managing in Perth or leading a team anywhere else, these skills will make your job significantly less stressful and more effective.

Available in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Geelong, Parramatta, and Online.