Managing Difficult Conversations with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council

Theatre& have worked with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) Council for the past two years delivering experiential management development workshops. Most recently the council identified a need to develop line managers’ confidence so they are able to effectively manage performance and handle difficult conversations.

Key objectives of the training included delegates exploring how to have difficult conversations with assertiveness and sensitivity, covering issues such as absence management and holding performance reviews. Our creative team developed scenarios which explored different perspectives; looking at the business case for effective performance management and the motives behind various actions from both managers and staff members alike. 

Drama-based training provides delegates with the opportunity to practice having difficult conversations with our actors who remain in character, this technique known as in-role allows delegates to feel confident about what they have learnt and empowered after completing the course to have a go at implementing their new skills. 

Here are some comments from the recent workshops, kindly provided by RKBC’s evaluation of the training:

‘A brilliantly conceived and facilitated course.’

‘This course was exceptional in its delivery, both by the facilitator and the actors.  This is a wonderful way of learning and understanding.’

‘Having the actors present the scenarios takes away the stress of role-play.  The energy that would have gone into worrying over role-play was instead used for creative thinking and finding a solution.’

Since working with RBKC Theatre& are delighted to have developed ‘Having Difficult Conversations’ training for the City of London Council , which has since been received and evaluated very positively.

For more information on how Theatre& Development can help your organisation meet employee development needs, please contact Dan Alexander who will provide more information on the products Theatre& can deliver: 

Dan Alexander - Business Development Director

Telephone: 01484 532967

Email: dalexander@theatreand.com