Conducting Challenging Conversations

Challenging conversations are part of everyday working life. They can be based on a wide range of topics: poor performance or conduct, complaints, personality clashes, and job insecurity, to name a few.
In order to make sure that these conversations are constructive, productive, and have the best possible outcome for everyone concerned, there are a number of skills that we need to master. Being fully prepared is the first thing. Then, having a toolkit of strategies and techniques at hand to deal with an emotional response, a difference of opinion, or a negative attitude gives us the confidence to tackle these conversations head on, without deferring, delaying, or deflecting.
This session will equip you with a structured set of techniques, strategies, and tips to make those tricky conversations more productive. It covers how to prepare yourself, as well as specific techniques of building rapport, establishing psychological safety, and delivering your message clearly and compassionately.

• Do you ever need to instigate conversations with colleagues about sensitive topics?
• Do you sometimes find challenging conversations intimidating?
• Are you unsure of how best to prepare yourself and open up a tricky conversation?
• Do you know how to confidently deliver a message that the other person might not want to hear?
• Are you confident that you can disagree with someone and stand your ground, while keeping the conversation constructive and positive? 

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Explain what preparation is needed ahead of a challenging conversation
• Describe how the four steps of a challenging conversation help to achieve a successful outcome
• Build immediate rapport and establish psychological safety during a challenging conversation
• Conduct a productive conversation that balances assertiveness with empathy

This virtual session can be combined with:
Challenging Conversations - Virtual Learning Skill Drill