Online Training

Difficult Conversations 

Tools and strategies to turn difficult situations into opportunities to boost engagement and performance

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

10:00am to 2:30pm AEDT

Next intake: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 | 10:00am to 2:30pm AEDT

Overview

Whether its sharing negative feedback, conversations on performance, conflict and communicating tough decisions – as a manager you will be called upon to have difficult conversations from time to time.  

Whilst a difficult conversation is cause for discomfort, awkwardness and stress. If handled well, they can be turned into an opportunity to resolve conflict, uplift employee performance and engagement and boost morale. The key to navigating difficult conversations effectively, lies in one’s ability to recognise that difficult conversations arise from areas of vulnerability and opacity; your ability defuse high stress situations in a calm and level-headed manner and facilitate a positive resolution for all parties. 

This short course has been curated for the time poor public service leaders, who is striving to become an effective leader. It will provide participants with insights into neurobiology behind conflict and difficult conversations. The program will help you understand different behaviours and how they influence difficult situations. In addition, it will provide tools and strategies to resolve conflict quickly and efficiently. 

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for mid-to-senior level public sector professionals, including those in APS5, APS6 and EL1 and equivalent state government roles (e.g., VPS5-6, NSW Grade 7-10). It is ideal for individuals responsible for:
wants to improve your conflict resolution skills
is in a role where you provide or encounter, a different viewpoint
wants to improve your stakeholder management skills
manages staff effectively
is frequently involved in highly emotional situations
wants to develop or improve assertive communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

Map out and facilitate a difficult conversation towards a common goal
Identify different behaviours and mindsets
Maintain clarity and remain calm and collected in emotionally charged situations
Build trust, rapport and mutual respect
Gain tools to resolve conflict in a constructive manner

Online Training

Difficult Conversations 


Session details

  • A bespoke program focus on difficult conversation in the public sector workplace 
  • Designed to build confidence when having difficult conversations 
  •  This program is not just about ticking a box, it is about changing behaviours 
  • A unique opportunity to collaborate with your peers across public sector and develop solutions to common problems  
  • Hone your ability to think on your feet in highly charged situations
View course modules

Level: Fundamentals

No previous experience necessary

Key Sessions

  • Understanding the neurobiological response to difficult situations 
  • Recognising different behaviours and mindsets in difficult situations 
  • Understanding dynamics and difficulties of conflict  
  • Different kinds of difficult conversations 
  • Reframing conflict and difficult conversations 
  • Managing your own emotions and maintaining composure 
  • Activity 

  • Building rapport and trust 
  • The power of active listening 
  • Asking the right questions 
  • Using neutral language 
  • Activity 

  • Exploring different types of difficult conversations in the workplace 
  • Effective response strategies 
  • Techniques to stay calm and composed 
  • Handbook for problem solving 
  • What not to do 
  • How to deal with situations where a resolution cannot be reached 
  • Activity 

  • Understanding what to do after a difficult conversation has taken place 
  • Making the most of a difficult situation: how to uplift engagement and boost performance 

Meet Your Facilitator

public sector network facilitator image

Malcolm Dawes

Managing Director, DTA Worldwide

Malcolm Dawes is the most sought-after authority on people performance and effectiveness. He is a recognised expert in showing people how to increase their interaction effectiveness through behavioural change. For many years, Malcolm has experienced first-hand the struggles senior executives face with accelerating the performance of their teams. More recently he has worked with organisations on emotional intelligence and resilience through the global pandemic.  

Malcolm has appeared on a host of radio and TV interviews; in The Australian Financial Review Business Magazine and had articles published in numerous journals. Malcolm has been a guest speaker at conferences and seminars around the world; and has been a judge of the PRIME Awards since their inception in 2005. Married and a father of three sons, his career has included many disciplines including retail, nursing, marketing, sales management and organisational performance. 

 In his spare time, he is a Deputy Captain with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service; being awarded with the National Emergency Medal for his service in the 2019/20 Australian bush fire crisis. In his latest book “Team Performance: Why Can’t We All Get Along?” Malcolm dispels ten myths that many senior executives have about unlocking the true potential of their teams. He highlights the core issues of human nature and shows how understanding behaviours as a leader and co-worker is the key to team success. 

Register Today

Join this training for professionals working within the Public Sector

Pay for individual courses

Extra Early Bird

Ends 13 Dec

$A 495

per person + tax $400 saving

 

Early Bird

Ends 24 Jan

$A 695

per person + tax $200 saving

 

Regular

Ends 25 Feb

$A 895

per person + tax

Additional discounts are available for group registrations of 10 or more. For group or payment enquiries or custom training solutions, please contact [email protected]

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You can also choose to have them delivered in house. We will work closely with our inspiring session facilitators to tailor the content around the key development areas your team are prioritising, shape the learning outcomes around your core departmental challenges and make the most of your L&D and upskilling budget.

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