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Hard Conversations, Handled

Prepare for, open and finish the conversations most managers put off, from performance worries to tension between colleagues.

3.5 hours, live on Zoom5 to 16 people€195 per person
CPD Accreditation Bureau crestCPD accredited3 CPD hours
Two colleagues in a serious, calm conversation

About this difficult conversations course

Every manager has a conversation they keep putting off. This half-day course gives your team a simple way to prepare, a calm way to open, and the practice to stay steady when things get emotional. People bring their own real situations and rehearse them in small groups, so they leave with a plan for the next conversation, not just a theory.

You will be able to

  • Recognise why we avoid hard conversations and what it costs
  • Prepare using facts, impact and the outcome you want
  • Open the conversation clearly in the first two minutes
  • Stay calm and listen when emotions rise
  • Handle pushback, silence and tears with respect
  • Agree next steps and follow up so the issue stays fixed

Course outline

  1. 01

    Why we avoid them

    The real cost of waiting, and the stories we tell ourselves.

    25 min
  2. 02

    Getting ready

    Facts, impact and outcome: a short planner you can use every time.

    35 min
  3. 03

    Opening well

    The first two minutes, and words that set the right tone.

    35 min
  4. 04

    Staying steady

    Listening, naming emotions and handling pushback.

    40 min
  5. 05

    Practice rounds

    Rehearsing your own real situations in small groups.

    40 min
  6. 06

    Next steps

    Agreeing actions, writing them down and following up.

    20 min

Plus a 15-minute break. 09:30 to 13:00 CET.

Who it is for

  • Managers and team leads at any level
  • Supervisors handling performance or behaviour concerns
  • Anyone who has been avoiding a conversation at work
  • Teams where small tensions keep growing

What is included

  • 3.5 hours live on Zoom, with a short break
  • A one-page preparation planner
  • Practice in small breakout groups
  • Scripts for openings and next steps
  • CPD certificate from the CPD Accreditation Bureau (3 CPD hours)

Questions

Why is the minimum 5 people?

The course works best with enough people for proper practice groups. If you have fewer than 5, get in touch and we will look at joining you with another group.

Do people need to share real situations?

Only if they want to. We provide realistic scenarios for anyone who prefers to practise with those.

Does this cover formal disciplinary meetings?

No. It covers everyday hard conversations. Formal processes should follow your own HR policy and advice.

Can we run it just for our team?

Yes. For a private session, or more than 16 people, use the contact form and we will suggest dates.