Difficult
Conversations Training

Equip Teams And Leaders To Handle Difficult Workplace Conversations With Confidence

Psychologically-informed, interactive workshops for corporate teams, NGOs, government departments and organisations to improve communications, navigate conflict, and reduce staff absenteeism and turnover.

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As seen (and heard!) in The Guardian and on Radio New Zealand.

The Devastating Hidden Cost of Avoiding Difficult Conversations

Right now, across the UK, millions of workplace conversations aren’t happening.

Problems are going unspoken and tension is growing beneath the surface - all because people don’t feel confident enough to say what needs to be said. The hidden cost of that is catastrophic:

1 in 4 UK employees experienced workplace conflict in the past year (CIPD, 2024)
Conflict costs UK organisations £28.5 billion annually (Acas)
964,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety last year, contributing to 22.1 million lost working days (HSE).

Behind all these numbers are conversations that never happened - or went wrong…

The performance meeting that was avoided.
The feedback no one gave.
The lack of confidence because of a gap in skills.
The absenteeism caused by unresolved issues.
The talented employee who ended up leaving.
The culture of stress and burnout that no one’s addressing.

Most people were never taught how to handle these moments well. The good news? Having difficult conversations is a skill anyone can learn. Let me show you how.

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What Will Your Team Take Away From My Difficult Conversations Workshop?

After our workshop, your team will:

Understand why they avoid difficult conversations
Know how to overcome their pre-conversation anxiety
Be able to address issues proactively before they escalate
Have learned frameworks and tools for de-escalating conflict
Know how to give constructive feedback without damaging relationships
Be able to stay calm and grounded in emotionally charged conversation
Understand how to set boundaries clearly and professionally
Know how to listen in a way that reduces defensiveness.

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How It Works

I spend time getting my training right for every team in every organisation. Choose from:

Workshops from an hour-long ‘Lunch and Learn’ to a full day.

Sessions tailored to teams, from leaders to new starters.

Training delivered virtually, or in person, anywhere in the UK.

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Follow up coaching for individuals or small groups

My workshops are practical and interactive. So your team won’t just understand the ideas; they’ll know how to go and use them, straight away.

About Your Trainer

Hi, I’m Nikki Allen.

I’m a communications trainer, qualified BACP-registered therapist and published author. For more than 15 years, I’ve worked with organisations to help teams communicate more clearly, including as the Head of Training at language consultancy The Writer.

My work on boundary setting and communication has been recognised nationally and internationally, including features in The Guardian and Radio New Zealand.

But my understanding of difficult conversations doesn’t come only from my professional credentials. In my personal life, as a parent advocating for two children with additional needs in an under-funded and under-resourced schooling system, difficult conversations are a constant. On a daily basis, I’m having difficult conversations where the stakes are sky-high and avoidance isn’t an option.

So I’ve learned the hard way how much courage these conversations take. And I know the difference it makes when someone has the confidence and tools to navigate them well.

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Your Questions, Answered

Leaders, managers and teams who want to improve communication, reduce conflict and build better working relationships.
Yes. I can customise every workshop to your organisation’s needs. But if you’d like to discuss a lower cost, non-tailored option, we can do that too.
Yes, very. I believe people learn best by doing, and trying things out. Participants practise these skills in a safe, supportive environment, and they’ll have an interactive toolkit to take away afterwards.
Yes. Both virtual and in-person sessions are available. Though I’d always encourage an in-person session for this particular topic, as it means I can offer people more individual feedback.
For an in-person workshop, I can run the session for anything up to 12 people. Online, we can go up to 20.
My rates start from £595.00 for a 60-minute virtual workshop.