Debugging Difficult Conversations Workshop
Description
SOLD OUT
Next event in August: https://events.humanitix.com/debugging-difficult-conversations-workshop-mel-aug-2026
Most tech leaders don't struggle with what needs to be said. They struggle with actually saying it. You overthink it, put it off, or you've tried giving feedback before and it didn't go anywhere. You're not sure why. It felt awkward, so you stopped trying.
And now the conversation you should've had months ago is harder because you put it off. This workshop doesn't give you a script or teach you how to say things perfectly. You'll leave with the confidence and frameworks to have conversations that make you a better leader.
Workshop outcomes:
• You don't avoid or delay difficult conversations anymore. You know that not having them only makes things worse, and now you've got the confidence to have them.
• You feel good going into all kinds of conversations. You see it as working through a challenge, not starting one.
• You have a framework to prep and structure your conversations so you're clear, confident, and to the point, instead of letting it flow aimlessly.
• Giving feedback becomes less waffly and awkward. There's structure to the points you want to make. You're more confident that what you're saying is useful, specific, and actually drives change.
• You know how to take feedback too. Without taking it personally. And you use it to get better as a leader.
• You know how to move a situation from unhealthy conflict to a productive one. You've got a model for it and you've practised using it.
• You create space for healthy disagreement in your team instead of shutting it down or avoiding it. People feel safe pushing back on ideas without it getting personal.
• You're building trust and stronger relationships within your team through open, honest conversations.
Hands-on workshop:
• Group activities that bring theory into practice (yes, we're mostly introverts. It'll still be engaging and fun.)
• Walk-through worksheets you'll actually keep using
• Time to ask Andrew questions
• Group discussions with other leaders facing the same stuff
Who should attend:
• Tech and Team Leads
• Engineering Managers
• Principal and Staff Engineers
Agenda
- 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Difficult conversations
What makes a conversation difficult and why most people avoid them. A preparation framework you can use before any tough conversation. How your mindset going in shapes the outcome.
- 11:00 am - 11:15 am
Morning break
- 11:15 am - 1:00 pm
Giving & receiving feedback
The difference between feedback that changes behaviour and feedback that gets ignored. How to be specific without being personal.
- 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Lunch
- 1:45 pm - 3:30 pm
Healthy conflict
Why avoiding conflict makes things worse. The difference between healthy disagreement and destructive conflict. How to move a situation from toxic to productive.
- 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Afternoon break
- 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
From theory to Monday morning
Making it stick. Why this workshop is just the start and what to do about it. How to build habits around difficult conversations, not just knowledge.
- 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Q&A
Ask me anything about today's topics, and more.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity





