Turn difficult conversations into stronger trust,
clearer action, and
better results.
Courageous Conversations is a practical, tailored program for leaders and teams who need to address issues earlier, handle tension constructively, and build a culture where honest dialogue accelerates progress.
The Courageous Conversations Program
Courageous Conversations is a facilitated leadership and team development program designed to help people step into difficult discussions with more clarity, empathy, and resolve. It strengthens the mindset, language, and practical techniques needed to address issues early, reduce avoidance, and turn tension into forward movement.
Built on evidence-based insights and delivered with Michelle's characteristic blend of pragmatic insight and warmth, this program moves participants beyond theory. They leave with a clear process, practised tools, and the personal readiness to turn tension into trust and challenging conversations into purposeful progress.
Unlike generic communication training, this program is built for real workplace pressure: performance issues, interpersonal friction, team dynamics, stakeholder complexity, and organisational change.
The cost of silence is higher than you think
When difficult conversations are avoided or diluted, the hidden costs multiply quietly: trust erodes, psychological safety drops, risks escalate, and high-performing teams stall. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
You may recognise the signs
The Courageous Conversations Program gives you the tools to break the cycle and lead conversations with clarity, confidence, and impact.
Unresolved conflict and poor communication cost organisations an estimated USD $1.2 trillion annually in the United States
alone and between AUD $6–12 billion across Australian workplaces through lost productivity, wasted time, and avoidable turnover.
This issue is a capability gap which can be closed.
A clear model. A proven path.
At the heart of the Courageous Conversations Program is a proprietary framework that maps the journey from silence to shared progress. Many people start at Concealment, where issues remain unspoken and momentum stalls.
Each of the five distinct positions in the pathway represents a step forward in dialogue capability and impact.
This program identifies where participants are placed and then helps them progress to the next levels of capability.
1
Concealment
Issues stay unspoken. People hold back to protect reputation or relationships. Progress goes backwards.
2
Curious
Questions surface facts, feelings, and assumptions. Context and perspective begin to emerge.
3
Constructive
Perspectives are distilled into clear options and approaches that elevate both relationships and outcomes.
4
Confident
Leaders state a point of view, invite challenge, and hold space for competing perspectives with candour and conviction.
5
Courageous
Stewardship guides action. People name the real issues, uphold values and boundaries, challenge the status quo, and take accountable next steps.
Three foundations. One intersection.
Every courageous conversation is built at the intersection of three core capacities
When readiness, relationship, and resolve align, the result is amplified progress for
leaders, teams, and the organisation.
What participants walk away with
Developing the courage to have meaningful conversations takes awareness, practice, and reflection.
This program builds that capability step by step, conversation by conversation.
How the program works
Three program levels: choose the depth that fits your goals
Who this program is designed for
Program Details
Everything you need to know before making a decision.
What happens next
Book a conversation to discuss your goals, audience, timing, and delivery preferences. From there, you will be guided to the most suitable program option.
Why this program stands apart
This is not an off-the-shelf training course, but a practical, research-informed learning experience
that helps people think better, prepare better, and lead better when conversations matter most.
| WHAT THIS IS NOT | WHAT THIS IS |
|---|---|
| One-size-fits-all communication training | Tailored to your organisation’s context, language, and challenges |
| Generic tips on what to say | A clear framework for how to prepare, engage, listen, and respond |
| Workshop content that ends at insight | Practical tools and reinforcement that help behaviour change stick |
| A light-touch session on being “better communicators” | A focused capability-building program for trust, accountability, and progress |
Trusted by leadership teams and organisations that value
impactful development
“Her insights, informed by her impressive career experience and PhD studies, are supported by useful tools and compelling stories. This ensures that participants acquire both the cognitive framework and practical skills to effect positive change back in the workplace.”
L. Ford
HR Department, Monash University
“Hanes has worked with Michelle Gibbings for several years through executive coaching, strategy and team facilitation. At every point of interaction, Michelle is engaged, responsive, adaptive and insightful. We receive fabulous feedback on her facilitation style from session participants.”
Sandra Blackburn
Group General Manager, Hanes Australasia
“The presentation was highly relevant to our audience, and Michelle’s engaging and energetic delivery was very well received. Her content is not only informative and insightful, but really relatable.”
Rachael Corby
Head of Member Services, FINSIA
Ready to step into the conversations that matter?
Every meaningful shift in performance, trust, and culture starts with a conversation handled well. This program gives your leaders the
capability and confidence to do exactly that.
No pressure. Just a clear discussion about fit.