Difficult Conversations:
10 Mistakes to Avoid
Strong communities depend on strong businesses—and strong businesses depend on leaders who can communicate with clarity, address issues early, and navigate tough conversations without drama or avoidance.
Watch the Master Class Now
This is a high-value, 1-hour webinar for leaders who want to communicate clearly, reduce drama, and address issues with confidence.
In this practical, fast-paced session, leadership expert and professional speaker Marlene Chism, author of From Conflict to Courage,reveals the ten most common mistakes that make difficult conversations harder than they need to be, and what to do instead.
***
This training helps business owners, supervisors, and leaders at every level avoid communication missteps that create frustration, disengagement, and unnecessary conflict.
Participants will walk away with insights they apply immediately, including:
The ten most common mistakes that derail performance and damage trust
Why clarity—not confrontation—is the real confidence builder
How to prevent misunderstandings that lead to turnover, drama, and resentment
How to address behavior and performance issues early (without feeling harsh)
A simple conversation framework to help managers stay consistent and confident
⭐This session also includes a brief introduction to The Performance Coaching Model, a practical system for strengthening leadership capability and building more accountable, aligned teams.
Ideal for leaders who want to:
- Improve communication inside their business
- Strengthen leadership skills across their teams
- Reduce workplace friction and avoid costly personnel issues
- Build a culture of clarity, accountability, and professionalism
Whether you lead five people or five hundred, you can’t outsource your conflict management. This is a foundational leadership skill—one you continue to grow in, and one that pays dividends for the rest of your career.
About Your Presenter: Marlene Chism
Author | Speaker | Consultant | LinkedIn Learning Instructor
Marlene Chism is a nationally recognized expert in leadership development and conflict management. She’s the author of From Conflict to Courage, No Drama Leadership, and Stop Workplace Drama, and a trusted advisor to executives, business owners, and HR leaders across industries.
Her signature framework—The Performance Coaching Model (PCM)—helps leaders transform avoidance into alignment and build cultures of accountability.
