Most of us want to avoid having difficult conversations at all costs and usually it’s based on a misconception that all conflict is bad. In reality, difficult conversations and conflict can push teams to be more innovative and take relationships to a new level of openness, honesty and understanding.

Most of us don’t consciously manage difficult situations. Rather, when having to engage in a hard discussion with someone, we are used to it getting emotionally charged and people jumping to defend themselves, resulting in an argument. This is a normal human reaction called “the fight or flight” syndrome. But there is a better way!

The key to handling these difficult conversations is to slow down, assess the situation from a non-judgmental point of view and decide what approach to take given the situation. This type of conscious behavior can be learned and is our focus today.

If handled appropriately, working through difficult conversations can create strong bonds between team members and pave the way for improved communication. However, if handled inappropriately, these tough conversations can quickly destroy workplace relationships and cause team members to become disgruntled and dissatisfied with their jobs.

In this workshop, participants will explore “elephants” in the room and benefits to addressing these sensitive topics before they grow out of control. They will identify symptoms and sources of the issue, including exploring their natural approach to handling difficult conversations to determine if there is a better way.