Whether it’s asking for a payrise, giving a team member feedback they might not want to hear, turning down a job offer, speaking to a manager about their lack of boundaries, or simply saying something you’d rather not, it’s in our nature to avoid those conversations that we know won’t be easy.

There is biological science behind this: our brains are wired to constantly scan for threats, and this means that they often communicate the worst to us. When it comes to tough conversations, this will mean putting it off, procrastinating and delaying - or even avoiding it permanently, at the expense of our own long-term fulfilment or happiness.

There is a way to break this cycle. As you will discover in this interactive masterclass with coaches Lisa Quinn and Nicky Chambers, the process begins with listening to what’s actually going on, and recognising the truth of your thoughts and beliefs - rather than letting them unconsciously dictate your behaviour.

Difficult conversations are difficult for a reason. We care about the outcome, and this means that if we avoid them, we’re suppressing emotions that will leak out elsewhere. In this class, you will learn how to identify how you choose to behave in different situations, and then utilise a clear and evidence-based framework to help you stop avoiding and start doing.

Course content

Understanding what makes a conversation difficult
How to listen to, and hear, what is actually going on
Recognising the truth of our thoughts, beliefs and feelings
Examining your ‘story’ around difficult conversations
How to prepare for the worst outcome
Exploring how we’re choosing to behave
How to develop a proactive approach

Tutor profile

Lisa Quinn and Nicky Chambers met while they were training in 2017. Both are Certified Co-Active Coaches and Professional Certified Coaches, accredited with the International Coaching Federation. Lisa is also a mindfulness teacher, a certified Strengthscope coach, an in-house coach for Fleishman Hillard, and a coach for the Allbright Elevator programme. Prior to training as a coach, she had a 22-year career in PR and Communications. Nicky is also a solutions focused practitioner, a certified Relational Dynamics coach, an ICF-accredited mentor coach, a mentor coach for Henley Business School, and has been coaching extensively since 2013. Prior to training as a coach, she was an experienced leader in the cultural and creative industries, having established and run numerous successful enterprises, and advised on a variety of government and private initiatives. She is on the advisory boards for several organisations and is trained in the neuroscience of change. Lisa and Nicky are both trained team coaches, accredited Spotlight practitioners and Firework Career Coaches, and run successful private practices. They also coach pro bono for various charitable organisations.

Course Details

Date: Wednesday 28 September 2022
Time: 3pm-5.30pm (BST)

3pm BST | 4pm pm CEST | 7am PDT | 10am EDT

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time of 3pm (BST). Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have not received the access link within one hour of the scheduled start time.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

How to navigate difficult conversations at work - and have better ones