Challenging Conversations
Challenging Conversations
How to deliver them effectively and with confidence
However we describe them, whether we use the words, ‘difficult conversations’, ‘courageous conversations’ or ‘challenging conversations’, nobody likes having them, nobody likes delivering them and nobody likes being on the receiving end of them.
But we live in a complex, fast-paced society where challenging conversations are an unavoidable part of daily life and necessary for building better organisations, for developing meaningful relationships, and safeguarding our wellbeing. The question therefore is NOT:
How do we avoid/minimise challenging conversations?
But instead …
How do we consistently deliver the most effective conversations, which help resolve painful situations and/or bring much-needed clarity to painful situations?
In this session, we will explore:
The two most common types of challenging conversations (negotiable and non-negotiable): how they’re different and how to prepare for either conversation.
The most common biases which undermine effective conversations, including; confirmation bias, halo effect, sunk cost fallacy, planning fallacy, optimism bias and tabloid thinking.
Why heuristics protect you from the flaws of your gut and how to use heuristics in planning for a challenging conversation.
Boundaries: why they’re at the heart of effective conversations, the 3 types of boundaries to look out for and how to master your boundaries to create better outcomes.
Language: how to avoid the most obstructive language habits, so that your delivery of a challenging conversation is free of subconscious, inflammatory language.
How to manage your state and take the heat out of a conversation, when things are getting tense and you're struggling to think clearly.