Courageous Conversations
Duration |
1-Day Workshop | Classroom / Virtual
The conversation you’re avoiding is the one your team needs you to have.
Overview
A practical workshop that develops the skills to address performance issues, manage disagreements constructively and conduct sensitive workplace discussions with confidence and respect. Participants learn to prepare for difficult conversations, manage emotional responses, communicate expectations and reach clear, actionable resolutions.
Learning Objectives
Navigate difficult conversations: Address sensitive workplace issues with confidence, structure and professionalism.
Manage conflict constructively: Identify underlying causes of disagreement and apply approaches that encourage productive dialogue and resolution.
Balance expectations and relationships: Communicate clear boundaries and expectations while preserving trust, respect and psychological safety.
Drive resolution and accountability: Establish clear agreements, define next steps and maintain accountability beyond the conversation.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Prepare for challenging discussions: Prepare objectively for difficult conversations using a structured approach.
Manage conflict constructively: Identify root causes of conflict and de-escalate emotional or defensive reactions.
Communicate expectations: Demonstrate the ability to communicate firm expectations while preserving psychological safety and interpersonal trust.
Agree actionable solutions: Establish practical solutions and follow-up plans that support mutual accountability.
Learning Challenges vs. Learning Impact
This table links difficult-conversation challenges to practical outcomes, highlighting confident communication, conflict resolution, trust, accountability and constructive follow-through.
Learning Challenge | Learning Impact |
Avoidance of difficult conversations: Necessary but uncomfortable issues may not be addressed early enough. | Raise issues with confidence: Address difficult issues earlier, supporting more timely and constructive conversations. |
Unresolved conflict: Disagreements may remain unresolved until they escalate. | De-escalate conflict: Apply constructive approaches to reduce escalation and support more productive conversations. |
Defensive or emotional reactions: Challenging discussions can trigger responses that make constructive communication more difficult. | Preserve trust and psychological safety: Manage difficult interactions in a way that supports constructive dialogue, trust and psychological safety. |
Unclear resolution or follow-through: Conversations may end without clear agreements or accountability. | Create actionable resolutions: Agree on clear solutions and follow-up plans that support mutual accountability. |