Having Difficult Conversations - Training Guides (Word DOCX)

We have so many interactions in the run of a day, it's reasonable to expect that some of them are going to be difficult. Whether these are conversations that you have in person, or you manage a virtual team and need to speak with someone in another city, there are things that you can do to make these conversations go smoothly. This one-day workshop will give you the tools to manage difficult conversations and get the best results possible out of them.

Just thinking about having these conversations—whether with one's partner, children (particularly adolescent or adult children), relatives, friends, or co-workers—can fill you with anxiety and trepidation, taking up space in your mind and distracting you from other important considerations that require your attention.

The anxiety can relate to concerns about bringing up a sensitive issue, being uncomfortable with setting or enforcing limits, or worry about how the other person will react. People may be fearful that the conversation will precipitate bad feelings or conflict. Because these kinds of conversations can create such discomfort, it's natural and normal to want to avoid having them altogether. The problem with avoidance is that, in the absence of a situation resolving on its own, putting it off only allows it to continue and potentially get worse.

This will help you teach participants how to:
•  Define frame of reference
•  Establish a positive intent and a desired outcome
•  Use good communication skills during a conversation
•  Draft a script for a difficult conversation
•  Use specific steps to carry out a difficult conversation
•  Access additional resources as required
•  Maintain safety in a conversation

Gafford Consulting is proud to offer tools to help you navigate personal and professional change.