THIS LIVE EVENT IS ALSO BEING RECORDED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO WATCH FROM 30TH SEPTEMBER, SO DON’T WORRY IF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE LIVE EVENT!

Managing Difficult Conversations

As a Premier League and International Referee, I was often involved in ‘difficult conversations’ with managers (Sir Alex Ferguson and myself below), players, and the media!

As a Headteacher I also had to effectively manage ‘challenging conversations’ with staff, parents, and students.

Whilst a deputy headteacher in Auckland, New Zealand I was able to undertake part-time PGCE further studies in Educational Leadership and Management, specialising in ‘performance appraisal and dilemma management’.

When faced with a ‘difficult conversation’ in school we often avoid the conflict altogether; deny the conflict and wait until it goes away; change the subject; react emotionally; or make excuses; and sometimes see the conversation as a battle we have to win.

Course overview

Course outcomes

• Develop your emotional intelligence to see other people’s perspectives and avoid a ‘combat mentality’

• Prepare and plan for difficult meetings and unexpected encounters

• Turn difficult conversations into ‘open to learning’ opportunities (OLC’s)

• Learn a number of templates for successful management of difficult conversations and prioritise the one which fits your personality

• Boost your confidence in reaching successful conclusions to difficult conversations and receive on-going coaching via the course community