Say the Hard Thing: Tools to Shift Tough Conversations
This practical, psychology-informed training is built for HR leaders who are ready to equip their managers with tools to stop avoiding — and start leading —tough conversations. This session addresses the quiet crisis of communication avoidance in the workplace, reframing it not as a personality flaw but as a solvable skills gap. Participants will learn a repeatable framework to approach difficult conversations with clarity, emotional regulation, and strategic listening. They’ll walk away with tools grounded in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) that reduce conflict, increase accountability, and build cultures where feedback is normalized and trust is rebuilt—instead of lost—through direct dialogue.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize What Makes Conversations Feel Hard—and What to Do Instead
Help managers identify their personal avoidance patterns and learn simple mindset shifts that reduce fear and hesitation. - Use a Clear, Repeatable Process to Prepare for and Lead Tough Talks
Equip managers with a 3-step framework to get grounded, stay focused, and speak directly—without escalating tension or losing control. - Respond to Emotion Without Getting Derailed
Train managers to handle pushback, silence, or emotional reactions in real time, using practical language cues and emotional regulation techniques.
Attendee Credits
Attendees who participate for the full duration of the educational session will be eligible to earn 1 SHRM and 1 HRCI recertification credit.
Speaker
Barbara Jenks is a communication strategist and leadership trainer with deep roots in HR and employee relations at Fortune 500 companies like Boeing and 20th Century Fox. A certified NLP practitioner, she equips leaders with tools to navigate conflict, build trust, and lead with clarity. Barbara blends neuroscience, improv, and practical insight to create learning experiences that are smart, engaging, and immediately applicable. Outside the boardroom, she volunteers with a horse-based therapy nonprofit—sharpening her instincts for unspoken signals and leadership blind spots.
