Communication Skills for Challenging Conversations
Handling difficult, high-stakes conversations with clarity and empathy.
Course Description
This course helps participants build the confidence and skills required to handle difficult conversations with clarity and empathy. Through practice-based learning, participants explore common communication pitfalls, develop strategies for emotional regulation, and apply proven models to navigate high-stakes or emotionally charged discussions effectively.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Approach difficult conversations with clarity and empathy
- Regulate emotion under pressure
- Apply proven models to high-stakes discussions
Course Outline
- Welcome & objectives
- Why difficult conversations derail — common pitfalls
- Emotional regulation under pressure
- Preparing for a high-stakes conversation
- A proven conversation model
- Empathy & clarity in practice
- Live role-play of real scenarios with feedback
- Personal conversation plan
Preparation Steps
- Identify a real challenging conversation you are avoiding or preparing for
- Reflect on past conversations that went poorly and why
- Note your personal triggers
Sustainment & Post-Work
- Plan and hold one prepared challenging conversation within 30 days using the model
- Debrief with a peer or coach; practise emotional-regulation techniques
- Manager check-in
- 30/60-day reflection
- Optional advanced clinic
Course Customization Options
This program can be customized for the specific needs of clients through offering only some vs. all of the course modules, incorporation or alignment to client specific organizational messages (values, business processes etc), modifying the workshop delivery schedule and the addition of business relevant action learning projects.
