How to approach difficult conversations in the workplace

In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure workplaces, the need for difficult conversations is becoming more pressing, but they are more emotionally charged than ever. From performance issues to cultural tensions, leaders are navigating increasingly complex interpersonal dynamics. But while the stakes are rising, most traditional conversation frameworks fall short which is compounding the problem.

In this interactive online session, we’ll explore:

1. The Conversation Debt – what happens when we avoid the conversations that matter

2. Why conversations are getting harder – and why leaders are avoiding them

3. The neuroscience of difficult conversations – and why our brains resist them

4. Why most frameworks and training efforts don’t work – and what they’re missing

5. How to approach difficult conversations with confidence, empathy, and influence

6. An introduction to DISCOVER: The Conversation Code™, a neuroscience-backed framework for navigating high-stakes conversations

You’ll leave with practical insights and tools to help you, and your leaders build trust, reduce conflict, and drive performance through better dialogue.

We are delighted to have Louise and Naomi of DISCOVER Teams join us to share their insight into navigating difficult conversations in our working worlds and tell us more about the journey which inspired them to create a new approach.

Speakers bio:

Naomi Thompson & Louise Demetriou

Co-Founders, Discover Teams | Accredited Leadership Coaches

Naomi and Louise are experienced leadership coaches, facilitators, Senior HR and Organisational Development professionals with a shared mission: to make workplaces more human, connected, and effective.

With decades of experience in senior HR and OD roles, they’ve supported leaders across sectors to navigate complex change, build high-performing cultures, and lead with courage.

They are the co-creators of DISCOVER: The Conversation Code™, a practical, neuroscience-backed framework designed to help leaders tackle high-stakes conversations with confidence, empathy, and measurable impact.

Please note:

1. Webinar joining instructions will be sent to you again 1 day before the event, with a further reminder, 20 minutes prior to the event starting.

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3. The chat function will be used for participants to engage with the webinar, so just be mindful of the login name you use and ensure you are happy for other people to see this.

4. For security reasons, it is requested that participants join the live session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and with the same name as registered on Eventbrite as not doing so may cause a delay or non-admittance to the event.

5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.

6. Please note that refunds for CIPD Non-Member tickets will only be available until 7 days prior to the event, any cancelled tickets after this will not receive a refund.

7. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.