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Dealing with the Tough Stuff

Resources Vault

Program page

Congratulations on completing the program.

We know that real learning doesn’t stop when the workshop ends. It’s a continuous cycle of applying, refining, and revisiting ideas when they matter most.

That’s why we’ve created the Dealing with the Tough Stuff Resources Vault—your go-to collection of practical tools, frameworks, videos, articles, and podcasts. Whether you need a refresher, a new perspective, or a nudge in the right direction, these ‘51-and-done’ resources are here to support you (that’s one resource a week every year with time to sit back over Chrissy break). Think of this as your digital desk buddy—ready whenever you need inspiration or guidance in your leadership journey.

USING THE VAULT

51 and done. A resource a week for a whole year – with a break for a cheeky Christmas pud.

Here’s how to make the most of it.

WATCH

PT Video Library

Explore our curated collection of video resources designed to equip leaders with the skills to navigate challenging conversations and build resilient teams. Whether you’re facing difficult feedback, managing conflict, or driving accountability, these videos offer practical insights and actionable strategies to help you lead with confidence and clarity.

Sometimes people will lash out verbally and attack you; we give you 3 neuroscience-backed suggestions to consider when this happens

It's not about being perfect but knowing and avoiding some of those common missteps you might make that can impact your confidence and your influence.

At the heart of effective listening in constructive conversations lies four key steps: active listening, paraphrasing, summarising, and asking open ended questions.

Which communication medium do you use for what message? Unpack the strengths and weaknesses of each.

The very nature of tough conversations means that emotions can run high: for both you and others. This vid covers some tips to cool things down.

How to be fully prepared for your upcoming tough conversation using the 4S Framework - State, space, structure and steps. Be ready, on time, every time.

Team meetings can be frustrating. Using behaviour-based language explore this activity around improving team meeting culture.

Feedback is vital for growth, yet leaders often hinder it unknowingly. Let’s examine the common pitfalls in asking for and responding to feedback—and how to avoid them.

When teams feel safe, some pretty remarkable things can happen. Watch for tips on how to foster this with your team.

Explore how you can dramatically improve connection, communication and depth of engagement by leaving the desk behind and stretching those legs.

A snippet from a big-stage keynote delivered by Daz, this clip on 'First Person, First Time is absolute gold and can take your feedback culture to another level

Conflict is a natural part of team dynamics, but how you handle it can either strengthen or weaken your team. Here are six key approaches to effectively managing interpersonal conflict.

Can’t get enough?

Check out our go-to TED Talks from our fav thought-leaders in the space. Psst… you can also play the full playlist here. Kick back and let the playlist roll, or jump ahead and click on whatever catches your eye on the right.

How to Lead Tough Conversations | Adar Cohen Dare to Disagree | Margaret Heffernan How to Have Constructive Conversations | Julia Dhar Training Employees to Have Difficult Conversations | Tamekia MizLadi Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable | Luvvie Ajayi Jones

DOWNLOAD

Frameworks and Tools

Discover proven models and practical resources to help you tackle tough conversations, lead with impact, and foster meaningful change in your team. These tools are designed to simplify the complex and give you a clear pathway to navigate challenges effectively.

Finding Your Tough Stuff

This tool helps individuals assess their confidence in handling tough conversations by rating themselves along key behavioural continuums.

Download

Tough Conversations Checklist

Key checklist for planning, conducting, and following up on tough conversations.

Download

20 Questions for Tough Conversations

A list of 20 great questions to ask when facilitating a tough conversation.

Download

Calibrating High Psychological Safety & Support

Create an open, safe, and nonjudgmental environment while upholding clear performance standards through proactive support and accountability.

Download

How to Explore the Antecedent

Explore the events, conditions, or triggers that occur before a behaviour takes place - this is key to behaviour modification.

Download

How to Introduce Competing Behaviours

Introduce positive alternatives that make unwanted behaviours impossible or unnecessary.

Download

Traits to Behaviours Mapping Guide

A guide to turn traits into preferred behaviours when providing feedback or setting expectations.

Download

Post Conversations Reflection Guide

A guide to complete a personal reflection within 24 hours of your tough conversation.

Download

Choosing the Right Communication Medium

Which communication medium do you use for what message? Unpack the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Download

Addressing Team Meeting Culture

Work through this common case study that helps you address and improve team meeting culture.

Download

READ

Reading Materials

Explore a curated selection of books and articles that delve deep into leadership, communication, and navigating tough conversations. These resources provide actionable insights and thought-provoking perspectives to help you level up your skills and impact.

Dealing with the Tough Stuff

Darren and Alison Hill

Backed by psychological research, this practical guide to handling difficult conversations provides strategies for clear communication, managing defensiveness, and handling crises with confidence.

Never Split the Difference

Chris Voss

FBI hostage negotiator reveals game-changing tactics that transform any negotiation through tactical empathy, turning confrontations into collaborative breakthroughs that benefit everyone involved.

Presence

Amy Cuddy

Presence reveals how simple body language adjustments can boost confidence and reduce stress in just 2 minutes before high-stakes situations from job interviews to leadership moments.

Dare to Lead

Brené Brown

Brené Brown reveals how vulnerability and courage create exceptional leaders who build trust, have difficult conversations, and empower others through authentic connection.

How to Work with (Almost) Anyone

Michael Bungay Stanier

MBS shows how powerful questions lead to better conversations, deeper insights, and stronger relationships by staying curious instead of giving advice.

Emotional Agility

Susan David

Susan David reveals how embracing difficult emotions with courage and curiosity leads to better decisions, authentic relationships, and more meaningful professional growth.

The Elusive Obvious

Michael Grinder

Grinder reveals how mastering non-verbal communication patterns transforms leadership effectiveness by reading and adapting to group dynamics with precision.

Non Violent Communication

Marshall Rosenberg

Rosenberg teaches how to communicate with empathy and precision by expressing feelings, needs, and requests clearly while listening deeply to understand others.

Radical Candour

Kim Scott

Scott teaches leaders how to challenge directly while caring personally, fostering a culture of honest feedback, accountability, and trust without being aggressive or insincere.

The Fearless Organization

Amy Edmondson

Edmondson shows how psychological safety fosters open, difficult conversations—allowing teams to challenge ideas, address tough issues, and drive innovation without fear of blame or retaliation.

No Hard Feelings

Liz Fosslein

Fosslein explores how embracing and managing emotions at work helps navigate difficult conversations with empathy, reducing tension and fostering healthier, more productive team dynamics.

Say What You Mean

Oren Jay Sofer

Sofer combines mindfulness with nonviolent communication techniques to help navigate difficult conversations with clarity, composure, and deeper connection.

LISTEN

Podcasts

1:12:31-1:26:06

How to Work with (Almost) Anyone - Stand Out Life

Stanier shares insights on coaching, curiosity, power dynamics, and the Keystone Conversation framework. Link to podcast.

15:26-20:10

How to Work With Difficult People - The Modern Manager

Amy Gallo talks about the manager’s role in solving work conflict, working with difficult co-workers, and provides insights into different types of difficult behaviours. Link to podcast.

14:52 - 19:39

Beyond Sorry. How to Apologise and Mean It - Radical Candour

Learn about the anatomy of a genuine apology and how to structure a genuine one. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 55:36

Playing Big, Getting Stuff Done & Tough Conversations - This is Work

Dom Price (Work Futurist at Atlassian) dives deep into what it means to play big, embrace a ‘do-ocracy’ (getting stuff done), and how to handle tough conversations at work. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 1:28:00

Decoding Difficult Conversations - The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

Sheila Heen, two time NY Times best selling author, consultant, and lecturer at Harvard Law School, makes the tough talks easier by breaking down the three layers that make up every difficult conversation. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 18:29

The Science of Better Workplace Conversations - Working It

Explore the behavioural science behind workplace conversations, offering strategies to navigate tough discussions with confidence, improve dialogue quality, and foster better professional relationships. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 11:45

Joy, Conflict and Leading Creative Teams - Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Kam explains the daily conflict that bubbles up in the creative process and how normalizing that conflict helps us get to the creative magic. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 13:14

How to Repair a Broken Relationship at Work - HBR on Leadership

Conflict expert Amy Gallo says repairing a broken professional relationship will improve your work life — whether it’s your boss, a coworker, or even your employee. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 26:34

How to Have Difficult Conversations - A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

This episode helps others start those uncomfortable conversations that need to be had right now for us all to move forward. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 34:19

Liz Fosslein: Learning from Your Emotions - Lancefield on the Line

Liz Fosslein is the co-author and illustrator of national best-sellers and an expert on effectively embracing emotions at work. This episode talks about how to handle and learn from your anger, burnout, comparison, feelings of uncertainty. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 17:47

Feedback Made Easy - No Bullsh!t Leadership

Learn why mastery of difficult conversations make great leaders, the 7 key elements of great feedback, and how to prepare for these crucial conversations. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 24:54

Master Communicator: 4 Tips for Better Conversations - The Mindset Mentor

Learn how active listening, non-verbals, tone, and clarity can help leaders have better conversations. Link to podcast.

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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.