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LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Dealing with the Tough Stuff

Book Your Spot - 2025 Open Courses

Getting results from key conversations.

Research shows feedback discussions are one of the most avoided management tasks—second only to firing someone. So how did we get here? Why has having a direct, real, and necessary conversation become so difficult?

The reality is, most leaders have been given processes but not the tools to navigate the human element of these conversations. That’s where Dealing With the Tough Stuff comes in.

This one-day learning program dives into the science of human behaviour, non-verbal communication, and advanced conversation techniques to help you depersonalise tough feedback, uncover root causes behind difficult behaviours, and craft behaviour modification strategies for long-term impact.

Mastering these skills leads to more productive performance conversations, fewer escalations and workplace conflicts, and stronger leadership and overall team trust.

It’s the organisations that embrace change and make feedback part of the way they operate that will shape the future.

COMMON CHALLENGES

Are you reading these and thinking, “You’ve hit the nail on the head – these are our challenges.”?

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CHALLENGE #1

Avoidance of Tough Conversations

When leaders hesitate to address issues, performance gaps widen, small problems escalate into major disruptions, and resentment builds within teams. Avoidance of direct feedback results in stagnation, low morale, and a culture where accountability is lacking.

CHALLENGE #2

Reliance on HR to Handle Team Issues

Instead of equipping leaders with the confidence and tools to manage team dynamics, HR becomes the default problem solver. This creates bottlenecks, slows down decision-making, and prevents leaders from taking ownership of their teams. It also distances leaders from their people, fostering a disconnect that weakens team cohesion.

CHALLENGE #3

Lack of Trust within the Organisation

When communication is strained and expectations aren’t clear, trust erodes. Middle managers feel unsupported, senior leaders perceive disengagement, and silos form. This breakdown impacts collaboration, alignment, and overall business performance, making it harder for teams to work towards shared goals.

Program Pillars

Depersonalise Conflict

Navigate Interpersonal Challenges

We’ll show you the tools to navigate the emotional landmines that lay in wait for making progress.

Encourage feedback

Challenge Each Other

Understand how to build a culture where challenging each other’s ideas and behaviours is encouraged.

Build Intentional Trust

Strengthen Team Dynamics

Learn to develop deeper trust, forged by successfully working through the tough times together.

If you're ready to build a high-performing feedback culture that embraces tough conversations, this program is for you.

Dealing with the Tough Stuff is suited for leaders who face the challenge of managing difficult conversations in the workplace. If you’ve ever struggled with delivering tough feedback or navigating team conflicts, this program is designed for you. It’s for those who understand that avoiding these conversations can hold back team performance and limit growth.

In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure environments, leaders are under constant pressure to deliver results while maintaining a positive team culture. This program is perfect for those feeling the strain of balancing productivity with the need to address conflict and performance issues head-on.

It’s particularly valuable for leaders looking to create a feedback culture where open, honest conversations are not just accepted but encouraged. If you’ve noticed hesitation around giving or receiving feedback in your team, or if performance discussions tend to feel uncomfortable, this program will help you overcome those hurdles.

For organisations that want to embrace change and build teams that thrive on trust and communication, this program provides a solution to one of the biggest leadership challenges: transforming difficult conversations into opportunities for growth and connection.

Dealing with the Tough Stuff should be in every leader's toolkit. Since first experiencing it over a decade ago I've been sharing the lessons with my leaders ever since.
David Morris
GM - Downer Defence

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At Pragmatic Thinking we acknowledge First Nations people both here in Australia and around the world. We have the great privilege of working on ancient country that has had countless millennia of teaching, learning, leadership and culture; we pay our deepest respects to the wisdom of Indigenous people and custom past, present and emerging.