Dealing with Difficult Behaviours - Melbourne

Dealing with Difficult Behaviours - Melbourne

You know that person. The one who seems to have a problem with everything, who constantly pushes back on decisions, or who creates drama wherever they go. Maybe it's the colleague who hijacks every meeting with their complaints, or the team member who responds to feedback with defensiveness and attitude. If you're in a leadership role, you've probably lost sleep wondering how to handle these situations without making things worse.

Here's the reality - difficult behaviours aren't just about personality clashes. They're often symptoms of deeper workplace issues like unclear expectations, poor communication, or people feeling unheard. But regardless of the cause, you still need to deal with the immediate impact on your team's morale and productivity. This isn't about becoming a workplace therapist or trying to fix everyone's problems. It's about learning practical strategies that actually work when tensions are high and you need results.

I've watched countless managers try to avoid these conversations, hoping the problems will sort themselves out. They don't. In fact, they usually get worse and start affecting other team members who are watching to see how you'll handle it. The good news is that most difficult behaviours can be managed effectively once you understand what's really driving them and have the right tools to respond.

During this workshop, we'll tackle the situations you actually face - not textbook scenarios. You'll learn how to identify the difference between someone having a bad day and someone with a pattern of disruptive behaviour. We'll practice specific conversation techniques that de-escalate tension rather than ramping it up. You'll discover how to set boundaries that stick, and crucially, how to document these interactions properly so you're protected if things escalate further.

We'll also explore the early warning signs that most people miss - those subtle shifts in behaviour that, if addressed quickly, can prevent bigger blowups later. You'll learn when it's worth investing time in coaching someone through their difficulties, and when you need to take a firmer approach. This includes understanding your own triggers and how your natural response style might be contributing to the problem.

What You'll Learn

How to quickly assess whether difficult behaviour is situational or chronic, so you can choose the right response strategy. The specific language patterns that calm defensive people down instead of making them more resistant. How to have those uncomfortable conversations without creating bigger problems or legal issues. Ways to protect your team's morale when one person's behaviour is affecting everyone else. Documentation techniques that create a clear paper trail while keeping conversations focused on solutions. Strategies for managing your own stress and emotional responses when dealing with consistently challenging people.

The Bottom Line

You'll leave with a toolkit of practical techniques you can use immediately. No more avoiding difficult conversations or hoping problems will resolve themselves. You'll know exactly what to say, how to say it, and when to escalate issues appropriately. Most importantly, you'll understand how dealing with difficult behaviours early prevents them from becoming bigger performance issues that require formal disciplinary action. This isn't about becoming everyone's best friend - it's about creating a workplace where professional behaviour is the standard and everyone can focus on doing their actual job.