DialogLab
Leadership conversation guides
Practical prep for the conversations managers search for at 11pm - with scenarios you can practise out loud.
Each guide covers common mistakes, a step-by-step approach, and a framework you can use in the room. When you are ready, jump into a matching practice scenario.
Difficult conversations at work
Prepare for the talks managers postpone - with structure, not scripts.
Read guide →Giving constructive feedback to employees
Specific, fair feedback - without the sandwich or the surprise attack.
Read guide →Performance review conversations
When ratings and reality diverge - stay factual, firm, and forward-looking.
Read guide →Mediating team conflict
When two strong contributors stop collaborating - you are the process, not the judge.
Read guide →When employees get defensive
Defensiveness is often fear - not disrespect. Your job is to lower the threat response.
Read guide →Conversations about burnout
Exhaustion is not disloyalty. Address it before you lose someone good.
Read guide →Salary increase requests
They came prepared. You should too - with transparency and options.
Read guide →Termination conversations
Short, clear, humane. The decision is final - your delivery still matters.
Read guide →Managing underperformance
Catch drift early - before it becomes a termination conversation.
Read guide →Addressing chronic lateness
Punctuality is a team contract - address the pattern, not the person.
Read guide →Effective 1:1 meetings
Stop status updates. Start the conversations that actually develop people.
Read guide →