Humans are programmed to avoid and run away from things that feel threatening, uncomfortable, and frightening – and in many situations that strategy benefits us. However, difficult situations arise in interactions with others where avoidance and escape lead to deterioration rather than improvement. Some examples of situations that are often described as difficult (and which we would rather not have to deal with) in working life are those relating to performance, attitudes or behaviour, crises of various kinds and dismissals. The difficulty in such conversations is, among other things,
- to convey messages or information in a clear way
- to anticipate, respond and manage how it is received by the other.
There is much to be gained by becoming more comfortable with the uncomfortable. In the Difficult Conversations training, we focus specifically on equipping and strengthening you in planning, carrying out and following up difficult conversations in a professional and successful way.
The training aims to
- increased confidence in carrying out difficult conversations
- increased knowledge in carrying out difficult conversations
- skills in planning, implementing and following up difficult conversations
- skills in handling reactions and resistance that may arise in the conversation.
Target group: Professionals (e.g. managers, leaders, HR specialists, coordinators, group managers, project managers, HR)
Learning objectives
The course offers knowledge, tips, tricks and skills in:
- Being able to clearly define what a difficult conversation is
- Become more comfortable with the uncomfortable
- The importance of preparation and how we do it in the best way
- How we conduct a difficult conversation in a professional and successful manner
- How we handle reactions and resistance that may arise in a conversation
- How we handle our own reactions that may arise in the conversation
- How we apply communication as a strategic tool in a difficult conversation
- How we define our responsibility and how far it extends (when do we ask for help)
- The importance of follow-up and how it is done in the best way
