2026: Leading challenging conversations

2026: Leading challenging conversations

£395.00 + VAT
Available
Virtual
All Locations
Business partnering & personal impact
Jun
18
Thu
-
Dec
31
Thu
09:30
-
PM
12:30BST
Schedule Description: Turn difficult discussions into opportunities for clarity, trust, and progress.
Sessions: 0
Session Hours: 0.00
CPD hours: 3hrs

Description

Gain the confidence, composure, and practical tools to handle difficult workplace conversations with empathy and authority - transforming potential conflict into constructive dialogue that strengthens relationships and drives better outcomes.

Please choose from the dates below to view more details.
Event Details
18 June 2026, Leading challenging conversations - virtual classroom

18 June 2026, Leading challenging conversations - virtual classroom

£395.00 + VAT
Available
Virtual
All Locations
Business partnering & personal impact
Jun
18
Thu
09:30
-
12:30 BST
Schedule Type Title: 1st of the Month
Schedule Description: Turn difficult discussions into opportunities for clarity, trust, and progress.
Sessions: 1
Session Hours: 3.00
CPD hours: 3hrs
Virtual

Description

Gain the confidence, composure, and practical tools to handle difficult workplace conversations with empathy and authority - transforming potential conflict into constructive dialogue that strengthens relationships and drives better outcomes.

Book here

Virtual classroom - Leading challenging conversations
Turn difficult discussions into opportunities for clarity, trust, and progress.
*New for 2026*

Date and time

Location

18/06/2026, 09:30 - 12:30 BST

Virtual

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
Finance professionals frequently navigate high-stakes discussions - whether delivering unwelcome news, challenging assumptions, or managing performance. When handled poorly, these conversations can damage relationships and stall decision-making.

This interactive workshop provides practical tools, neuroscience insights, and structured reflection to help you approach difficult conversations with confidence, empathy, and composure.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Diagnose difficulty - identify why a conversation becomes challenging and recognise your personal reaction patterns.
• Align state and outcome - apply techniques to manage your internal state and focus on the outcome you want.
• Transform the talk - use practical tools to move from conflict to constructive dialogue and shared understanding.
• Deliver clearly - communicate difficult messages or feedback with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
• Be ready for action - leave with a tailored plan for leading one specific challenging conversation you’ve identified.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
Finance professionals at any level who regularly engage in challenging discussions with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders and want to improve their effectiveness and confidence in doing so.

WHY CHOOSE ICAEW?
• Trusted heritage: For over 145 years, ICAEW has trained and supported the world’s leading finance professionals, setting the global benchmark for quality.
• Expert-led learning: Our courses are designed and delivered by subject matter experts, combining professional insight with real-world experience.
• Connected and relevant: With close links to government, regulators, and industry, our training reflects the latest challenges and opportunities in business and finance.
• Practical and interactive: Live, small-group learning with peer exchange ensures every programme delivers immediate workplace impact – and counts as verifiable CPD.

CPD HOURS
ICAEW's revised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Regulations bring in new CPD requirements. This includes a minimum number of hours and an ethics requirement. Attending this course could contribute up to 3 hours of verifiable CPD, providing you can demonstrate that the content is relevant to your role.

A copy of the course booking confirmation email is accepted as evidence of verifiable CPD. You will need to save the email as a JPEG or PDF before uploading it to your record. Click here to use ICAEW’s self-assessment tool to help you work out how much CPD you will need to fulfil each year.

Course Enquiries
Contact: Events information team

More from ICAEW Academy

ICAEW's terms and conditions for events

Legal Disclaimer
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) does not endorse or recommend any third-party products, services, or companies mentioned during this event or in related materials. References to any such products, services, or companies are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by ICAEW.

The views and opinions expressed by third-party speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of ICAEW. ICAEW does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or legality of the content presented by third-party speakers.

For further information or clarification, please contact ICAEW directly.

 

 

A 3-hour live, interactive virtual classroom blending psychology, neuroscience, and practical frameworks with peer learning and scenario practice.

Session breakdown:

• Setting the scene - understanding why conversations become difficult and what makes them high-stakes.
• The science of state - explore how mindset and physiology influence performance and outcomes.
• Frameworks for success - learn and apply practical models for structuring and delivering difficult conversations.
• Real conversations lab - practise and stress-test your approach using a real example from your own work.
• Action planning - develop a personal strategy and conversation plan to apply immediately back at work.

Participants are encouraged to bring a real or anticipated challenging conversation to apply learning in real time.

 

Kerri Hollick

Kerri blends a passion for high impact, human-centred training & coaching interventions with her sales, operational and commercial experience to enable individuals and companies to create transformational programmes. Her experience is across a broad business arena including blue chip, financial services, travel, corporate fleet, the automotive industry and more recently in the world of creativity and innovation.

Over the last 20 years she has cultivated an engaging & dynamic approach to building programmes that layers the learning, cultivates change & sustains momentum with the overriding outcome that she can leave individuals and businesses with the confidence, tools and skills needed to continue their journey. She uses her experience, natural curiosity and creative skills to enable teams to identify their vision, take a deep dive into how to drive this forward and maintain momentum.

 

Rate Cost Early Bird Pricing
ICAEW Member £295 + VAT £250.75 + VAT
Non-member £395 + VAT £333.75 + VAT

Early Bird Pricing
15% discount automatically applied on bookings made up until 6 weeks before the course date

How are the courses delivered?

All Virtual Classrooms are run by live on Zoom. These are interactive and not recorded, interaction and delegate involvement is encouraged.

When will I receive joining instructions?

You will receive a email with joining instructions after enrolling. Materials and any other resources for the course will be sent to you shortly before the course start date.

Are there breaks?

Yes, no fixed timings - will depend on the length of the course.

How do I access the course slide deck?

Depending on the course you will either be sent in the lead up to the course or after.

What if I miss the live date?

The Virtual Classrooms are not recorded so we recommend you attend all sessions.

What if I am going to be 15 minutes late?

This is not a problem, the classroom starts at the start time, but you will be let in if you are delayed for any reason. Trainers do their best to accommodate catch-up, but this is not guaranteed. Where possible please let us know of any delays so we are aware when doing role call the beginning of the session.

Can I have my colleague with me in the live course?

Yes, if you purchase a second place. Each booking is valid for one person only.

Can I record the training?

No, virtual classrooms are not recorded.

Do the courses on this programme count as verifiable CPD?

Yes, these courses contribute verifiable CPD, so long as you can demonstrate that the content is relevant to your role. Additional information about CPD can be found here: Your guide to CPD.

How many people will be on the course?

Virtual Classrooms are designed to resemble a real classroom. Therefore, group sizes vary between 6 – 22 delegates per course.

 

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