Managing difficult conversations

About this training

Every individual has to face difficult conversations from time to time, be it with customers, colleagues, staff, stakeholders or managers. Having difficult conversations and being able to manage them effectively is a vital skill any professional should possess.

Dealing with a delicate situation, like appraisals, solving a staffing problem or important client conversations, requires insight and technique. This workshop is designed to equip participants with the managing and coping strategies needed to tackle difficult conversations effectively, both within and outside the workplace.

This programme aims to provide attendees with the skills required to negotiate calmly, defuse unpleasant situations and generally feel more positive about having difficult conversations.

Difficult conversations require thoughtful communication skills and strategies. Whether it's a difficult discussion in the workplace, a conflict situation in your personal life or dealing with sensitive topics, this course provides valuable information and advice on how to conduct difficult conversations effectively.

Managing difficult conversations

Managing difficult conversations is a learning process. In this course, we use exercises and simulations. We evaluate the conversations and you succeed in improving your skills in a lasting and authentic way.

Difficult conversations are a challenge, but with the right approach, you can communicate more effectively and achieve successful results.

Need help with difficult conversations? Our experts are ready to assist you.

Program

The following aspects are addressed in this interactive training course:

  • Awareness of your own communication style
  • The 4 types of behavior or communication
  • From behavior to effect
  • Make difficult situations negotiable
  • Formulating a concrete message
  • Dealing with resistance
  • Responding appropriately to negative emotions
  • Communicating with more impact
  • Body language as support for your message
  • Conversation techniques such as the DESC, NAAA, LEO and other methods to engage in confrontational conversations.

Target group

The training course "Managing difficult conversations"  is aimed at anyone who needs to interact with colleagues, clients, partners or teams. More specifically anyone looking to develop the techniques to manage difficult conversations effectively.

Approach

This practice-oriented training is mainly based on concrete exercises involving targeted tasks and role playing games. This training course is constantly adapted to the organisational culture and the competences of the participants. Optimal use is made of effective techniques and methods which will enable you to give feedback in a proper way. Instant tools such as the 'sandwich', 'diving board', DESC and the 'scratched gramophone record' methods are thoroughly discussed. 

Trainers

Results

By the end of this training, you will be able to engage in difficult conversations with greater confidence, maintain effective control of the emotions in play, make conscious decisions about the best verbal and non-verbal choices to make, act with integrity, demonstrate empathy and maintain relationships. 

By the end of the session participants will:

  • Learn new strategies for handling difficult conversations effectively
  • Avoid wasting precious energy on feeling negative about a person or situation
  • Know how to structure the opening of a difficult conversation more effectively
  • Understand what makes a conversation difficult and be able to prepare effectively for them
  • Have increased their ability to manage their and others emotions successfully

Register

Choose the desired date and location for this training.

Zemst - Elewijt Center

Tervuursesteenweg 564, 1982 Zemst

Mon 12.05.2025 (09h00 until 17h00)
Dutch

From

€ 795,00(VAT excluded)

Max. 8 participants

Antwerpen - Expert Academy

Mechelsesteenweg 109, 2018 Antwerp

Mon 29.09.2025 (09h00 until 17h00)
Dutch

From

€ 795,00(VAT excluded)

Max. 8 participants