Navigate Tough Conversations at Work
Kelly Vaughn
Engineering Leader | Trained Therapist
Know what to say, how to say it, and how to handle the response
Tough conversations are part of the job, but they’re also where most people feel the least confident.
They get delayed because you’re not sure how the other person will react, and you don’t want to make things worse.
So the conversation gets pushed off. The issue lingers. Over time, it starts to impact team performance, trust, and your confidence as a leader.
This workshop is where you fix that.
This is for managers navigating tough conversations at work. If you’re not a manager but handle difficult conversations regularly, you’ll still get a lot out of this.
You’ll bring a conversation you’ve been avoiding—whether it’s underperformance, misalignment, or giving direct feedback—and we’ll work through it together.
You’ll leave with:
A clear goal for the conversation (what actually needs to change)
A structured way to open and communicate without triggering defensiveness
A plan for handling common reactions (pushback, emotion, silence)
Most importantly: a framework you can reuse for every tough conversation
This is a collaborative working session. By the end, you’ll have a plan for your conversation and a system you can use repeatedly.
Workshop agenda
- 1:00PM EDT
Understand the conversation you need to have
Identify the conversation you’ve been putting off and clarify what’s actually at stake. You’ll define what needs to change and what’s been holding you back.
- 2:00PM EDT
Structure and draft your conversation
Open the conversation clearly and guide it without creating defensiveness. Then draft what you’ll actually say, step-by-step, with guidance.
- 3:00PM EDT
Handle reactions and finalize your plan
Respond to pushback, emotion, or silence, and finalize your plan so you’re ready to have the conversation. Well role play some conversations as well to gauge your response.
Learn directly from Kelly
Kelly Vaughn
Engineering Leader | Trained Therapist
Who this workshop is for
Managers putting off a conversation they know they need to have
Those navigating underperformance, misalignment, or direct feedback
People who know what needs to be said, but don’t know how to say it
Prerequisites
Come prepared with a tough conversation
This is a working session. Bring a real conversation you’ve been putting off so you can work through it and leave with a clear plan.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Kelly Vaughn in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
$375
USD