How to Have Difficult Conversations

Target Audience: All staff (Academic and Professional Services) with management responsibilities.

From time to time all managers will face conversations which they anticipate will be challenging and which they may feel ill-equipped to manage. Scenarios of this kind include addressing under-performance, tackling instances of unacceptable behaviour, investigating reports of bullying, giving developmental feedback, turning down employee requests, or dealing with sensitive personal issues.

This workshop will introduce a range of practical tools and techniques to support you to have meaningful and constructive conversations.

Learning Outcomes:

• What can make conversations challenging and factors that can influence our behaviour/experience
• Tools and techniques to build your confidence around difficult conversations.
• A structure for approaching difficult conversations
• Practicing skills and sharing good practice guidelines.

Please note, you will be required to complete a short piece of pre-course work ahead of your attendance to this session.

Please register using your Sussex email address (e.g. ab123@sussex). A link to join the session will be emailed to you the day before the event.

Late cancellations that leave places empty have considerable cost implications for the University and take away the opportunity for other staff members who might wish to attend. Given this, a late cancellation fee of £50 will be charged to your School or Division if you cancel your booking within three days of the course start date. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel your place by emailing od@sussex.ac.uk.

Exceptions may be made for illness, evidenced by your line manager or doctor's note, or a family emergency. We are happy for you to substitute your place if you notify us before the course commences.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you have any specific requirements regarding this staff development activity (e.g., hearing/visual impairment) so that we can do our very best to accommodate your needs.

Your opinion matters! You will be asked to complete a short feedback form either at the end of the session or after the session. We appreciate you taking the time to do this, as your feedback helps us to know what works and what doesn’t, allowing us to create a better and more relevant learning experience for everyone.