Navigating Difficult Conversations - A Repeatable Framework

A practical workplace communication workshop for HR and People & Culture professionals

Format: In-person (Sydney) and live online

Workshop Overview

This professional development workshop supports HR and People & Culture practitioners in strengthening their approach to difficult workplace conversations through a clear, repeatable framework.

The session introduces a structured method for preparing, conducting and reflecting on challenging discussions which can be applied broadly and refined over time as participants build experience and confidence. Rather than relying on intuition alone or an individual technique applied without a broader structure, the framework provides a consistent foundation that can be adapted to different situations, contexts and stakeholders while supporting psychosocial safety through effective workplace conversations.

Participants explore factors that can influence whether difficult conversations escalate or progress constructively, and why outcomes can differ even when similar issues are being addressed. Through facilitated discussion and real-world examples, the workshop examines what has been shown to be effective in workplace practise, and where conversations can move in an unintended direction.

During the workshop, participants apply the framework to a real difficult conversation they bring with them, or reflect on a conversation that has already occurred. While the focus is on workplace contexts, the framework is designed to be transferable and may also be applied to other difficult conversations where clarity, respect and effective communication are important.

The emphasis throughout is on building practical effective communication capability, equipping HR professionals with an approach they can adapt to their own style when preparing for difficult conversations, and draw on when supporting managers and leaders across a range of people-related matters.

Who Should Attend:

HR Managers
People and Culture Leaders
HR Business Partners
Workplace Relations practitioners
Employee Relations practitioners
WHS and psychosocial risk stakeholders
Senior HR Advisors

CPD Information

3.0 structured learning hours

Suggested competency areas this workshop supports:

Effective communication and feedback skills
Conflict management and resolution capability
Manager coaching and capability building (guidance of people leaders)
Psychosocial safety and risk awareness
Structured approaches to handling workplace conversations within broader people practice
Certificate:

Participants receive a Certificate of Completion upon attending the full workshop, which may support recording of CPD hours with relevant professional associations. (HR professionals are responsible for self-assessing the relevance of the workshop to their individual CPD requirements.)

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

Understand the relationship between difficult conversations and change, including how conversations form part of a broader change journey.
Identify when a conversation is a difficult conversation, including recognising common difficulties that arise in workplace conversations.
Understand why preparation and strategy matter when approaching difficult conversations.
Apply a repeatable, step-by-step framework to prepare for difficult conversations in a structured way.
Approach difficult conversations with greater confidence and clarity, using the framework to support fairness and appropriate documentation discipline.
Identify considerations relating to the pros and cons of having a difficult conversation, including whether and when a conversation should occur.
Identify factors that may influence how a difficult conversation unfolds.
Understand the impact of triggers in conflict, and how they can influence difficult conversations.
Apply the repeatable framework to prepare for a real difficult conversation.

What you'll Take Away:

Participants will take away:

1. A repeatable conversation framework that can be applied across a range of workplace situations

2. Greater awareness of triggers and escalation risks, and how these can influence difficult conversations

3. Greater clarity on how to prepare for a difficult conversation, including the importance of strategy

4. Increased confidence in approaching difficult conversations using the framework

5. Greater clarity about considerations involved in whether and when to have a difficult conversation.

How This Workshop Supports Psychosocial Safety:

Psychosocial safety obligations increasingly require organisations to identify and address people-related risks early. Difficult conversations that are avoided, mishandled or delayed can contribute to stress, conflict and escalation.

By strengthening how these conversations are prepared for and conducted, this workshop supports HR and People & Culture practitioners to build effective communication capability that can help reduce the likelihood of escalation and associated psychosocial risk.

Workshop Format & Inclusions

3-hour facilitated workshop, delivered in person or live online
Facilitated discussions and guided exercises using real workplace examples
No forced role-play
Time allocated for questions and discussion
Morning tea included for in-person workshops

Applicable Workplace Contexts:

Early interpersonal conflict
Performance and behaviour conversations
Informal complaints or low level workplace friction
Tension following change or restructure
Customer or stakeholder complaints affecting staff
Boundary setting conversations and difficult feedback
Preparation for sensitive conversations, including where performance improvement plans or termination is being considered