Difficult Conversations & Performance Feedback


When difficult conversations are avoided, issues build, performance suffers, and relationships become strained. Many managers know these conversations matter - but lack the confidence and structure to handle them effectively. This training equips managers to approach difficult conversations with clarity and control. Through realistic scenarios and guided practice, participants learn how to address issues early, give clear feedback, and manage performance constructively.

About the Training


Who for: New managers to senior leaders. Each session is tailored for your team’s specific level to ensure impact.

Format: Half day. In-person or online. 

Group size: 6-14 people to maximise practice, feedback, and real-world application.

Style: highly interactive and practical - built around real workplace scenarios, with coaching and feedback to embed lasting behaviour change, not just awareness. 

Part of a wider leadership journey: This session can be delivered standalone or as part of a broader programme, including our longer courses for first-time managers and more experienced managers and leaders.

Outcomes: By the end of the programme, participants will:

  • Handle difficult conversations with greater confidence

  • Give and receive feedback clearly and constructively

  • Address issues early before they escalate

  • Manage underperformance and accountability effectively

  • Respond constructively to resistance and pushback

  • Recognise and shift habits that avoid or dilute feedback

What participants will practice:

  • Giving clear, direct feedback in real scenarios

  • Structuring difficult conversations from start to finish

  • Addressing underperformance and setting expectations

  • Responding to resistance, defensiveness and pushback

  • Balancing empathy with clarity and accountability

  • Following up and reinforcing behaviour change

  • Identifying and shifting habits that avoid or soften feedback

Why Choose UNLRN?

  • Practical & immediately applicable: real scenarios, live practice and coaching

  • Behaviour change that actually sticks: not just workshops - real-world application and accountability that embed new habits

  • Grounded in behavioural science: evidence-based models and insight

  • Delivered by expert practitioners with real-world experience

  • Proven results - consistently excellent client feedback,rated 5★ on Google

  • Purpose-driven: 10% of our profits and time donated to charities

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