Difficult conversations are a part of leadership, but many leaders avoid them, delay them, or leave them feeling frustrated with the outcome. Whether you're providing feedback, addressing conflict, setting boundaries, or navigating sensitive workplace issues, the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully is essential.
This interactive virtual workshop equips leaders with a practical framework for approaching difficult conversations with confidence and purpose. Through guided instruction, peer discussion, breakout exercises, and live coaching, participants will learn how to prepare for challenging discussions, manage emotional dynamics, and create productive outcomes without overexplaining, over-softening, or taking responsibility for others' reactions.
You'll leave with a proven framework, practical tools, and an action plan you can immediately apply to real workplace situations.
What You'll Walk Away With:
- A practical framework for preparing and leading difficult conversations
- Greater confidence addressing conflict, performance concerns, and sensitive topics
- Techniques for balancing honesty with respect and professionalism
- Tools for recognizing emotional, relational, and power dynamics in conversations
- Strategies for responding to resistance, defensiveness, and strong emotions
- Experience applying the PREP framework to realistic workplace scenarios
- A personal action plan for an important conversation you need to have
Who Should Attend:
This virtual workshop is designed for professionals at all levels who want to strengthen their communication and leadership skills, including:
- Frontline supervisors and team leaders
- Managers and department leaders
- Human Resources professionals
- Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence professionals
- Project managers and cross-functional leaders
- Individual contributors seeking to influence without authority
No prior leadership training is required.
Agenda
I. Welcome & Setting the Foundation
- Why difficult conversations matter
- Creating psychological safety
- Common barriers that prevent effective communication
II. The PREP Framework for Difficult Conversations
Learn a simple, practical framework for navigating challenging discussions:
- Purpose
- Respect
- Examples
- Path Forward
Explore common mistakes leaders make, including over-softening, over-explaining, and assuming responsibility for others' reactions.
III. Real-World Leadership Scenarios
Participants will work through common workplace situations such as:
- Addressing a high performer who dismisses others
- Giving feedback to a defensive peer
- Managing up when a leader undermines your efforts
- Responding to bias or inappropriate comments
- Setting boundaries with demanding stakeholders
IV. Interactive Breakout Discussions
Collaborate with peers to:
- Diagnose communication challenges
- Identify emotional and relational dynamics
- Discuss risks of avoidance versus benefits of clarity
- Practice applying the PREP framework
V. Group Debrief & Live Coaching
- Share insights and lessons learned
- Receive facilitator coaching and guidance
- Explore practical language and communication techniques
- Discuss common challenges and effective responses
VI. Personal Action Planning
Participants will identify a real conversation they need to have and leave with a plan to confidently move forward.
Topics Covered
- Why difficult conversations feel difficult
- Building confidence before the conversation begins
- Managing emotions while staying focused on outcomes
- Giving feedback effectively
- Navigating conflict respectfully
- Setting boundaries and expectations
- Leading with clarity, courage, and accountability
- Practical communication techniques for challenging situations
