Handling Difficult Conversations

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Master the art of navigating challenging discussions with confidence and poise. This course is designed to help you manage difficult conversations effectively, whether they involve conflict, underperformance, or delivering bad news. By the end, you will gain skills to communicate assertively, stay composed under pressure, and reach positive outcomes even in tense situations. The course begins with preparation strategies for handling challenging discussions and emphasizes the benefits of addressing tough topics directly. You’ll learn to manage aggression assertively, deal with difficult personalities, and maintain control during emotionally charged conversations. Practical techniques for giving bad news and approaching poor performance discussions will also be covered in detail. Next, you’ll explore strategies for closing conversations effectively, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding. With step-by-step frameworks, you will develop the ability to hold meaningful, results-oriented discussions while fostering healthier communication dynamics. This course is ideal for managers, team leaders, professionals, and individuals looking to improve their communication skills. No prior experience is required, making it accessible to anyone eager to develop conflict-resolution techniques and enhance their leadership abilities.