Leading Through Tension


Build the confidence to navigate difficult workplace conversations with clarity, empathy, and respect, reinforced through realistic practice with People Practice Simulations™.

Critical Challenges Facing Leaders:

  • Important concerns avoided until they become larger problems
  • Leaders unsure how to begin difficult conversations
  • Emotional reactions that derail the discussion
  • Accountability delivered without sufficient empathy or respect
  • Conversations that end without clarity or meaningful follow-through

Lead the Conversation Before Tension Escalates

Avoiding a difficult conversation rarely makes the issue disappear. More often, tension grows, expectations remain unclear, and working relationships suffer.

Leading Through Tension equips participants to:

  • Address concerns earlier
  • Communicate expectations clearly
  • Listen to understand different perspectives
  • Respond constructively to emotional reactions
  • Balance empathy with accountability
  • Establish meaningful next steps

The course introduces DESC, an established conflict-resolution framework, to help participants approach workplace tension with greater clarity and structure:

  • Describe the specific situation or behavior
  • Express the concern and its impact
  • Suggest alternatives and seek agreement
  • Clarify Consequences by connecting the change to shared goals and outcomes

This isn’t about eliminating tension.
It’s about learning how to lead through it.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

  • Leading Through Tension Preparation Guide for planning and navigating challenging workplace conversations
  • DESC conflict-resolution framework for addressing concerns clearly and constructively
  • Practical response strategies for managing defensiveness, resistance, and emotional reactions
  • Live People Practice Simulation™ for observing and practicing realistic  conversations
  • Facilitated observation and debrief to strengthen confidence and workplace application

Framework reference: The DESC approach is described in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s TeamSTEPPS® program. Learn more about DESC.

Upcoming Live Cohorts

Date Time Availability Price Enrollment
Tue, Nov 3, 2026 9:00–11:30 AM CT 15 seats $395
Tue, Dec 8, 2026 9:00–11:30 AM CT 15 seats $395
Tue, Feb 2, 2027 9:00–11:30 AM CT 15 seats $395

Group Enrollment: 5+ seats receive 15% off—$336 per person.


Request Group Pricing →

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Business Benefits

  • Reduce time lost to unresolved workplace tension
  • Prevent concerns from escalating unnecessarily
  • Preserve working relationships during disagreement
  • Increase willingness to raise concerns earlier
  • Build a culture of respectful, constructive dialogue

Objectives

  • Identify the sources and warning signs of workplace tension
  • Distinguish observable facts from assumptions and interpretations
  • Demonstrate the DESC framework during challenging conversations
  • Apply listening and de-escalation strategies when emotions rise
  • Develop mutually understood agreements, boundaries, and next steps

Audience

  • HR and employee-relations professionals
  • Supervisors and people managers
  • New and emerging leaders

Course Experience

  • Select a Live Course Date
    Choose an available session and complete your enrollment.
  • Attend a 2.5-Hour Live Virtual Course
    Receive the Leading Through Tension Preparation Guide and a certificate of completion to support future workplace conversations.
  • Leave With Practical Tools
    Receive the Motivating Feedback Conversation Planner and a certificate of completion to support future feedback conversations.