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Successful difficult conversations training

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Successful difficult conversations

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Look Outstanding, Become Outstanding

Category: Improve Your Difficult Conversations

The parent who keeps coming back — and how to stop the cycle

Every headteacher knows that parent. The one who keeps coming back. Again. And again. You do your best to help, but it never feels resolved. You might even feel your stomach sink when you see them approaching. In this week’s short video, I share a simple framework that keeps you in control.

One quick calculation that calms parent overwhelm

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How to make parent wins work for the whole team

Some parent conversations are hard work. Some are draining. And some… are wins. Here’s a simple leadership habit: Make space to share “What worked.”

The quick & quiet way to stop parent issues snowballing

How to stay respectful when a parent conversation turns heated

Ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells with a parent? Maybe they storm in. Raise their voice. Question your judgement. Or drop a comment that sticks in your head for days. Other times, they’re less direct, but you still leave the conversation second-guessing every word.

Why parents are more challenging now — and what to do about it

Are parents harder to work with now? It’s not your imagination. The generation of parents you're dealing with today experienced school very differently — and it shows in the way they respond today. In this short video, I unpack why conversations with parents can feel more emotionally charged, and what school leaders can do to stay calm, confident, and clear.

Why is talking about behaviour so hard? (And how to fix it)

Why is talking about behaviour so hard? Behaviour conversations are tougher than performance ones. It’s easier to help someone improve their marking than to change their attitude. If behaviour is the issue, here’s what can help

The most dreaded conversation – and the powerful lesson it teaches

What’s the one difficult conversation people fear the most? The one no one wants to have? Telling someone they smell.

97% Of Schools Have These Annoying People Problems, Do You?

There are 5 common difficult conversations I see time and again in school. I asked 1,489 school leaders which of these difficult conversations they are having with their staff - only 3% had none of them.

Why 65% of difficult conversations fail—and how to fix them

65% of difficult conversations don’t get fixed. The problem comes back. Again and again. Does that sound familiar? It doesn’t have to be this way. I promised. Yes, promise! I’ve seen it.

On the journey from good to great, most schools get stuck

Discover how close you are to being outstanding

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