Difficult Conversations

A difficult conversation will usually have high stakes, strong emotions or opposing opinions.

Handled well, it can effectively resolve issues in the workplace, drive much-needed behaviour change, or convey important information in a sensitive, caring and thoughtful way. Handled poorly, it can cause lasting damage and upset. Worse still are the moments when we avoid a difficult conversation altogether, sidestepping what really needs to be said. Mastering the art of challenging conversations can spark transformative cultural change. However, it require thoughtful preparation, careful practice and intentionality.

Our approach

Our Difficult Conversations workshop is customised to each client’s specific needs, addressing a wide range of challenging discussions – whether it’s navigating a performance review, delivering tough news, or checking in on someone’s wellbeing. We offer these sessions both online and in-person, for small teams or entire organisations. To support ongoing growth, our Challenging Conversations Club provides a space for continuous learning, ensuring participants build confidence and skill over time.

What to expect

There really is an art to difficult conversations, which our team expertly bring to life through practical workshops, key development tools and experiential learning. At 1948, we know that real learning comes through experience – by doing. Using actors to bring the chosen subject to life our experiential learning approach creates a safe space to experiment and allows for in the moment and impactful feedback. One-to-one sessions see the actor inhabit the role of ‘the other person’, and using rewind and replay, the conversation is perfected, so it remains in tune with initial intentions.

Difficult Conversations

A difficult conversation will usually have high stakes, strong emotions or opposing opinions.

Our approach

What to expect

Businesses we’ve worked with