Challenging conversations training
The conversations you avoid are the ones that matter most.
Rehearse your specific challenging conversation in a safe space with our professional actor coaches and get specific, actionable feedback to build on, before it matters for real.
Who it’s for
“I know I need to have the conversation. I just don’t know how.”
Leaders delay giving feedback, addressing underperformance or challenging negative behaviours because they fear damaging trust, harming the relationship and making things worse.
We believe the reverse is true. Speaking directly and caring personally is where trusted relationships grow.
How a session works
How a challenging conversations workshop works
Every session starts with discovery. Then we design around your needs.
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Describe the challenge
Explain your challenge. We design a dynamic workshop led by our expert facilitators and suited to your specific needs.
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Actor coaches bring it to life
Our professional actor coaches play the scenario, so you can try different approaches in a realistic, live setting.
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Feedback on your impact
Practise your bespoke conversation. Get objective, real-time and actionable feedback on how you come across, then try again.
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Take it back to work
Together we work out what to do differently and better, so you know what success looks, sounds and feels like.
Feedback, challenging conversations and underperformance
In our Courageous Conversations and Giving Feedback workshop, your team practise giving honest, specific feedback using Kim Scott’s Radical Candour model.
Rehearse the conversations you’ve been putting off, from delivering a tough message to repairing a relationship under pressure.
Before small issues become big ones.
“If you don’t speak the truth, you’re not valuing the relationship. Remember, the conversation is the relationship.”
Case Study
Delivering the difficult message.
‘Stepping into the forum scenario was a game-changer. The skills practice equipped me with tools to navigate emotional reactions more effectively.’
The Problem
Project X, initially successful, is having to stand down approximately 2,000 employees, contradicting the earlier promise of job security for all. Senior management needs help delivering these difficult messages.
The Diagnosis
The company will offer a leavers package to everyone affected, with support in finding external job opportunities. Luft will help with a learning experience and strategies to navigate staff unrest and high emotional reactions.
The Design
Luft designed an interactive and immersive workshop to help managers think about the upcoming challenges, share their hopes and fears, and deliver those challenging messages with skill while managing hostile reactions with empathy and understanding.
Using forum theatre, skilled actor-coaches portrayed the scenario where senior leaders had to deliver difficult news to a large group, showing behaviours to avoid. Participants then guided and instructed the actors to a better outcome.
After facilitated discussion and interactive activities, breakout sessions allowed smaller groups to practise bespoke scenarios in a safe space, receiving real-time and supportive feedback.
The Delivery
Senior leaders underwent an immersive, on-your-feet training session to help them deliver challenging messages to groups of project managers and direct reports, emphasising emotional reaction management and composure in challenging situations.
Through energised and dynamic activities, the group explored their hopes and fears, their strengths and weaknesses, and their expectations.
The forum scenario simulated delivery of a tough message, enabling real-time feedback and skill development.
Participants practised delivering and receiving difficult messages, fostering feedback in a peer-to-peer setting.
Breakout sessions further developed the skills practice, enhancing their capacity to manage emotional reactions and deliver messages with impact and confidence.
The Evaluation
Participants left the session with proven frameworks, strategies and personal actions. They felt more confident to engage in these tricky conversations.
‘The forum scenario was brilliant and allowed me to think how I might deliver a difficult message. The feedback and guidance provided by the facilitators was so helpful in building my communication skills and self-confidence.’
‘The skills practice sessions in the breakout rooms was scary at first but by the end, I felt much more confident. The facilitators were supportive and encouraging and really helped make the whole experience impactful.’
‘Stepping into the forum scenario was a game-changer and fun. The skills practice sessions helped me and equipped me with practical tools to navigate emotional reactions more effectively.’
Who are these workshops for?
Managers and leaders who know a conversation needs to happen but keep putting it off, whether that’s feedback, underperformance or a relationship under pressure. Many were promoted for their technical expertise and find the people side harder.
Is this the same as difficult conversations training?
Yes. We call them challenging conversations, and the workshops cover what most people search for as difficult conversations training: feedback, underperformance and hard messages, practised with professional actor coaches.
Do I need to prepare anything?
Just bring the conversation, presentation, or challenge you’re struggling with. We do the rest.
How long is a workshop?
Workshops are typically a full day or several days. If you’d like a flavour of how we work first, a morning or afternoon session is a good place to start.
Where are you based?
Bristol and Bath, but we work across the UK and beyond. If the fit is right, geography won’t be the issue.