Difficult Conversations: From Tension to Dialogue
conflict and dialogue training
Short description Difficult conversations often become difficult long before the actual conversation starts. This practical workshop helps participants prepare more clearly, understand what is happening beneath the surface and navigate challenging conversations in a way that reduces defensiveness…
Workshop
Description
Short description
Difficult conversations often become difficult long before the actual conversation starts. This practical workshop helps participants prepare more clearly, understand what is happening beneath the surface and navigate challenging conversations in a way that reduces defensiveness and keeps dialogue possible.
What participants will work on
Participants explore how assumptions, emotions, resistance and communication patterns influence difficult conversations. They practise how to prepare, structure and conduct challenging discussions, respond to resistance and keep the conversation constructive even when tension increases.
Approach
Highly interactive and practice-based, combining short input, reflection, realistic cases and conversation practice. In the full-day format, participants work more extensively with their own cases and receive more time for practice and feedback.
Best suited for
Managers, team leaders and professionals who regularly need to address tension, disagreement, underperformance, conflict or other sensitive workplace issues.
Benefits
Key outcomes
Participants will:
- prepare difficult conversations more effectively
- distinguish facts, interpretations and assumptions
- structure challenging conversations clearly
- respond more constructively to resistance and emotional reactions
- maintain dialogue without avoiding difficult messages
- apply the approach to real workplace situations
Additional Experience Info
Recommended group size
4–12 participants
Larger groups possible on request, depending on format and objectives.
Delivery
In-person preferred
Possibly online, depending on group size, objectives and format.
Hosted by Sascha Siegmund
About the Host
I am a leadership and organisational development practitioner with around 10 years of experience working with managers, professionals and international teams across European institutions, companies and other complex organisations.
My work focuses on leadership, communication, collaboration and behavioural change. I combine facilitation, training and coaching to help people reflect on how they lead, communicate and work together — and translate that reflection into practical changes in day-to-day behaviour.
I am particularly interested in the human side of organisational life: how people give and receive feedback, navigate difficult conversations, build trust, delegate effectively, collaborate across differences and lead through change and uncertainty.
My style is structured, pragmatic and highly interactive, while creating enough space for reflection and honest dialogue. I like to combine depth with a light-hearted and occasionally humorous approach, especially when working on topics that can otherwise feel overly theoretical or uncomfortable. Having lived and worked across several European countries and in Asia, I am comfortable working with diverse and multicultural groups. I deliver in English, German, French and Spanish and have worked with participants up to Head of Unit and Director level.
Travel Locations
Worldwide. I am happy to travel internationally for suitable assignments; travel and accommodation costs are agreed separately depending on location.
Certifications & Credentials
Professional Coaching Training – ACTP Levels 1 & 2; ICF Member (PCC accreditation in progress); Licensed Management 3.0 Facilitator. Covered by professional and public liability insurance through Smart Belgium for assignments contracted via Smart.
Client Requirements
Requirements depend on the format and group size. For in-person sessions, a suitable room with movable seating, flipchart or whiteboard and, where relevant, a screen/projector are usually sufficient. For larger groups, a microphone may be helpful. Any specific requirements will be agreed with the client in advance.
Past Clients
European institutions, international organisations, financial services companies, SMEs and multinational companies. Selected client names and references are available upon request.
Focus Areas
Development/Coaching
Location
Brussels, Belgium
Languages
German, English, Spanish, French
Corporate Experience
Significant
Session Types Offered
Interactive (eg. improv, group-art, yoga etc.)
Past Experience Doing Sessions
Yes - Interactive
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