Difficult Conversations
Courage to Speak. Skills to Connect. Confidence to Lead.
We help leaders turn tough conversations into transformative moments. Our Difficult Conversations course equips leaders with the confidence, structure and empathy to navigate feedback, conflict and sensitive discussions with clarity and impact.
Because the hardest conversations are often the most important.
Why Difficult Conversations Matter
Because avoiding them costs more than having them.
Unspoken issues can erode trust, weaken culture and stall performance. But when handled well, difficult conversations can drive alignment, deepen relationships, and create space for real growth.
This course supports leaders to:
-
Speak up with clarity, care and purpose
-
Address issues early before they escalate
-
Navigate emotional responses with empathy
-
Create safety, not silence
-
Stay steady under pressure and lead with integrity.
The ability to lead hard conversations is a defining skill of every great leader.
Program Format
-
Delivery: In-person or virtual
-
Duration: 2.5hr masterclass, half-day workshop, or full-day deep dive
-
Optional coaching add-ons for individuals or managers
-
Customisable for industry context or leadership level
-
Great companion to Coaching & Feedback, Emotional Intelligence and Leading Through Change programs.
What You’ll Learn
What Makes Conversations “Difficult”
-
Understand the dynamics of fear, power, emotion and perception — and how to work with them, not against them.
Planning for Clarity
-
Structure your thinking, get clear on your purpose, and prepare for a respectful and focused exchange.
Language That Lands
-
Choose words that invite dialogue, reduce defensiveness, and centre outcomes.
Handling Emotion with Empathy
-
Stay composed when emotions run high and help others feel heard — even in disagreement.
Creating Psychological Safety
-
Build the trust required for honest, open and respectful conversations to happen more often.
Practice Makes Powerful
-
Work through real-life scenarios with live roleplays, peer feedback and expert coaching.
Who It's For
This course is ideal for:
-
Team leaders and people managers dealing with performance, behaviour or team tension
-
Middle managers balancing upward and downward feedback
-
Emerging leaders building confidence and presence in tough moments
-
Senior leaders navigating complexity, resistance and cultural change
-
Perfect for individuals or intact leadership cohorts wanting to lift communication across the business.
_svg.png){kind=small}
HEAD OF LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
Heather Brown
"People Tank are a tremendous learning partner for our business delivering on projects with great success.
They listen to our needs and go above and beyond to source top-tier Instructional Designers, Digital Designers, Facilitators and Consultants on demand.
As a quality supplier of learning solutions in Australia, they continue to impress!"
Get In Touch
Ready to Elevate Your Leadership?
We specialise in designing transformative leadership development experiences that build capability, boost confidence, and drive performance from the inside out. Whether you're developing emerging leaders or equipping your executive team for what’s next, our award-winning programs are crafted to make real impact - fast.
Let’s start a conversation about unlocking leadership potential in your organisation.
Connect with our leadership experts today and shape the future, together!