School Leaders Matter

Workshop for middle leaders and senior leaders

Having Courageous Conversations

Learn how to address sensitive issues with clarity, confidence and compassion

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In brief

Every leader has conversations they would rather not have. It might be addressing unacceptable behaviour, giving difficult feedback, raising concerns about performance, dealing with conflict between colleagues, or tackling tension in a working relationship. Often, the 

Having Courageous Conversations is a practical, evidence-informed workshop designed to give leaders greater confidence in addressing difficult issues early, constructively and compassionately.

Participants learn how to prepare for a challenging conversation, reduce unnecessary defensiveness, communicate concerns clearly, listen to different perspectives, manage emotional responses and work collaboratively towards a way forward.

The aim is not to make difficult conversations comfortable. It is to give leaders the skills and confidence to stop avoiding the conversations that need to happen and handle them well when they do.

About this workshop

At the heart of the workshop are the Five Cs of Successful Courageous Conversations: Calm, Curiosity, Compassion, Clarity and Collaboration.

These principles provide leaders with a practical framework for approaching difficult conversations in a way that combines clear expectations and accountability with respect, fairness and empathy.

Using realistic school-based scenarios, conversation starters and practical tools, participants have the opportunity to think through conversations they may need to have and develop language and strategies they can use immediately.

What You Will Gain

  • An understanding of why courageous conversations can feel so difficult and the cost of avoidance.

  • The Five Cs of Successful Courageous Conversations — Calm, Curiosity, Compassion, Clarity and Collaboration.

  • Guidance on setting up the conversation well, including the invitation, timing, location and physical environment.

  • An understanding of how to create the conditions for an open, constructive discussion.

  • Practical language for opening difficult conversations with clarity, warmth and respect.

  • Strategies for explaining concerns clearly and objectively.

  • Skills for listening and exploring the other person's perspective.

  • Strategies for managing emotional or defensive responses while keeping the conversation constructive.

  • A collaborative approach to problem-solving that moves the conversation away from blame and towards what needs to happen next.

  • Guidance on closing and following up the conversation so that expectations, support and next steps are understood.

  • Practical conversation starters and a language bank that can be adapted to a range of challenging situations.

Who Is This For?

  • Senior leaders

  • Middle leaders

  • Team and department leaders

  • Phase and subject leaders

  • Pastoral leaders

  • Aspiring leaders

  • Anyone with responsibility for managing or leading other people

Because the conversation you are avoiding may be the conversation that most needs to happen

Interested?

Bring this workshop to your school

Helen works with schools to tailor each workshop to your context. The best starting point is a short, no-obligation conversation.

Book a conversation