Every conversation we avoid comes at a cost. According to a VitalSmarts study, each avoided crucial conversation costs an average of $1,500 and an entire 8-hour workday. This course prepares you to have those conversations in a timely manner, with clarity and respect.

Ideal for

• Managers who need to give feedback
• Professionals who avoid conflict
• People who speak too bluntly and want to build empathy
• People who beat around the bush so much they’re hard to understand

What will you practise?

• 1. Prepare the conversation – Productive Candour: balancing what you say with how you say it, without resorting to aggression or empty diplomacy.
• 2. Start well – G.P.S.: the first 30 seconds that determine whether the conversation moves forward or gets stuck.
• 3. Listen for real – The 3 Poles of Listening and Tell Me More: understand their perspective before defending yours.
• 4. Say the hard thing – Facts versus interpretations and reframe your message: replace “you” with “I” and say what needs to be said without blaming.
• 5. Manage tension – E.A.R. model: empathise, analyse and resolve when the other person gets angry or shuts down.
• 6. Say no – Solid Positioning and Not Me, Not Now, Not Like This: say no tactfully and offer an alternative.

AI in practice

Rehearse your difficult conversation with an AI simulator that responds like the real person (getting defensive, going quiet or getting angry) and gives you feedback using the course rubric.

What will you gain?

• The confidence to have the conversations you’re avoiding today.
• Difficult messages delivered with clarity and respect.
• Fewer unresolved conflicts within your team.
• Greater trust with the people you work with.

Format

4 to 12 hours. In person or live online. Available in Spanish, English, French or Catalan. Eligible for FUNDAE funding.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of conversations will we practise?

Your real-life situations: giving feedback to someone who isn’t performing, disagreeing with your manager or delivering bad news to a client. We prepare these with each group before the course.