Managing Difficult and Emotionally Sensitive Conversations – Online

Date: 3 November 2026
Format: Online
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am

Cost: FREE for businesses in York and North Yorkshire

Booking link (select mini workshops): Register here

Whether you’re discussing performance, wellbeing, bereavement, workplace conflict or change, difficult conversations are an unavoidable part of working life. Yet many managers and colleagues avoid these conversations because they worry about saying the wrong thing or making the situation worse. This practical session will help you build the confidence, skills and emotional awareness needed to approach challenging conversations with empathy, clarity and professionalism. You’ll explore techniques for managing emotions, communicating assertively without aggression, and creating positive outcomes even when conversations feel uncomfortable.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand why some conversations feel difficult and how to approach them effectively.
• Build confidence in handling emotionally sensitive situations.
• Develop assertive communication skills and influence without aggression.
• Learn techniques for managing emotions and maintaining professionalism.
• Improve listening, questioning and empathy skills.
• Explore practical approaches to challenging workplace conversations and conflict.

*This project is supported by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer.