Bitesize training courses → Management & leadership → Managing difficult conversations
Training course:
Managing difficult conversations
Two hours • In-person or remote • 4-15 participants
Rated 4.7/5 ★★★★★ from 20 recent reviews
About this bitesize training course
Managing the performance of individuals within the team can be challenging. The pressures of delivery can result in difficult conversations being avoided, put off, or poorly executed.
This bitesize training course provides a framework for dealing with tough conversations about change, performance or conduct and can help the leader catch up on conversations that should have been had before.
Attendees of the Managing difficult conversations training session will be able to:
Explain why they may feel apprehensive about a difficult conversation
Understand the preparation required for a difficult conversation
Define the purpose and intention of the conversation
Apply a supportive framework to structure a difficult conversation
Anticipate the emotional responses which might occur
Gain commitment to action and put in place follow-up processes
Pairing suggestion: for employees that aren’t managers, the Giving & Receiving Feedback training course is designed to encourage open-minded listening, confident questioning and a constructive approach to solving problems collaboratively.
Key details
this bitesize training course is two hours long and full of thoughtful techniques to approach thorny issues
designed for groups of 4 – 15
delivered by an expert trainer at your workplace, or virtually
interactive, with plenty of exercises that get people talking
customisable, to connect with your organisation’s values
Attendee reviews for the ‘Managing difficult conversations’ training course
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"The training was varied and related to the work we do. It supported my confidence in recognising my own conversation styles as well as how to approach and conduct difficult conversations."
★★★★★
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"I liked that the training wasn’t just buzzwords, but put real scenarios and real situations into practice and explained how to deal with them."
★★★★★
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"The content felt very specific to our group: the trainer adapted the material to suit our knowledge and interest base, which was fantastic! It was very interesting to learn about different traits of people and how to approach. I learnt a lot about myself, too."
★★★★★
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"The presentation style was excellent, delivered at the right pace and very interactive with great exercises. It was obvious that our needs had been well researched so the content was very relevant and applicable to our situation."
★★★★★
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"It was fun to be able to watch something – then having to immediately apply it and think about how to approach the situation."
★★★★★
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“The pace was just right, with a good mix of theory and real life examples. Paul was happy to answer any questions as they came up!"
★★★★★
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"A brilliant interactive training session. Really useful suggestions on how to handle myself and a potentially difficult situation."
★★★★★
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"This session was really good at breaking things down and helping us structure our messages appropriately."
★★★★★
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"Good mix between break out rooms and training - really enjoyable!"
★★★★★
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"Fantastic!"
★★★★★
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"It sparked thoughts and conversations about things we wouldn't normally discuss."
★★★★★
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"The facilitator did a fantastic job."
★★★★★
Why book this bitesize training course?
⏱ Deal with issues early
People can’t adjust or improve if they don’t know something’s wrong.
When managers delay addressing problems, the consequences either drag on indefinitely, or appear to suddenly reach a crisis point when the situation may already beyond rescue. This course empowers managers to make confident, tactful interventions on an ongoing basis before things escalate.
🤝 Candour, not conflict
Everyone deserves the benefit of honest feedback, and this this course explores how to frame these conversations (however initially difficult!) as a well-intended offering.
At the same time, we recognise the varying initial emotional responses that critique can provoke, and provide some mental tools on supporting them.
✅ Manage the right way
Any formal performance management process necessarily requires honestly addressing issues and giving people a genuine chance to respond and improve.
This training course helps managers navigate that process in. a calm and HR-friendly way.
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“Maximal learning in a short, but intense, session. This is definitely the way forward for management training, as far as I am concerned.”
Professor Niamh Moran, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland ★★★★★
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Training made easy, the Bitesize way •
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