Talking From 9 to 5: Managing Difficult Conversations

Difficult conversations happen in many workplace interactions. They are the conversations that affect the quality of our service, how we give and receive feedback, the way we manage conflicts, and whether or not we share our concerns and perspectives with others. They are conversations about tough issues, the conversations that we sometimes want to shy away from. When opinions vary, stakes are high, and emotions are strong, our conversations become more and more challenging to manage. However, when we manage these interactions well, we promote trust, fairness, collaboration, and innovative results.

“Managing Difficult Conversations” uses two different communication structures to help participants more effectively manage difficult, challenging conversation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Discuss specific situations that require difficult conversations
  • Learn several structures for how to format difficult conversations
  • Apply these structures to those interactions that are the most difficult to manage
  • Learn how to empathize and set limits in the same conversation
  • Learn how to manage tone of voice and body language when constructing messages
  • Learn how to construct messages that manage emotions and defensiveness
  • Develop one or two leadership practice goals to apply going forward