The Cost of Your Manager Avoiding One Conversation Is Greater Than Addressing It
"Get the 'Early-Bird' Price For A One-Time Discounted Payment of Only £185."
"This was an invaluable session. Thank you for arranging it and I hope others can also benefit from Kates's training in the future."
Your company could save £100k!
One Hour Practising One of Your Most Challenging Conversations
...With A Trained Actor and HR Expert.
When managers learn to handle difficult conversations, it creates a positive team dynamic. Reduce the burden on HR and drive strategic plans for the business.
Here's how impACT coaching works
Your own impACT Coach. A professional-trained actor and coach with years of experience in creating authentic environment - ones that feel genuine.
Work on YOUR scenarios. The attendee will be able to submit their own unique scenarios or choose on from our selection.
Honest, empathetic and non-judgemental feedback. Receive insights not just on your words and delivery, but also on the impact you have on the other person.
From: Kate Maddison-Greenwell
With over 25 years in HR, I've seen the high cost of avoiding tough conversations.
That's why I created impACT—a solution where managers can practice difficult conversations in a safe, low-stakes environment.
impACT helps by giving managers the skills and confidence to handle tough conversations effectively.
By practicing with trained actors, managers enhance communication, reduce HR’s burden, and foster a healthier workplace.
But before i get ahead of myself i want to make sure I'm talking to the right person. I created our latest coaching tool for HR leaders who...
- Knows their managers are avoiding conflict. Managers are stretched thin. They don't have the support or training to tackle these conversations with confidence. And when they avoid these tough talks, you end up dealing with the fallout.
- Is often doing reactive work. Time that could have been spent on key strategic projects slips away - no longer driving the business forward. Instead, your workload increases—not because of your choices, but because you're now burdened with work that isn't yours. But HR always steps up, don't we?
- Is often seen as the 'bad cop'. While managers dodge responsibility, you pay the price. You're left enforcing accountability that managers sidestep, placing the burden of tough conversations squarely on your shoulders.
If That Sounds Like What You're Experiencing, Then Please Read On.
Since I launched People Efficient Ltd in 2021, people have often asked me to take on complex HR projects.
I noticed a similar pattern with the clients I was supporting. HR faced an overwhelming workload, and the managers struggled to manage.
I found that my background in acting gave me unique insights.
I saw, first-hand, that corporate management training was often too theoretical. They disconnected it from real-life challenges. I realised that improvisation, a skill honed by years of acting, gave me an edge and confidence.
This realisation was the seed for impACT.
I envisioned a service that could use my diverse experiences - from acting to 25+ years in HR. It would create 1-2-1 sessions. They would be engaging and unique to the real challenges of managers.
After all, if getting tough conversations right is crucial, shouldn't we rehearse them first?
I empathise with managers who feel ill-equipped to lead inclusively and effectively. I saw the frustration of those who attended long, dull training sessions that did not meet their needs.
By combining my personal and professional skills, I have built a service that uses improvisation and a safe space for managers to practice before having a challenging conversation in the real world. impACT coaching and impACT training are born out of a desire to make a real difference - and it does.
For one beta test, I ran an impACT coaching session with a line manager.
Let's call her Sarah. She was struggling with a team member's insubordination.
The team member was bad-mouthing Sarah, refusing tasks, and challenging requests.
This behaviour made Sarah doubt herself and feel uneasy. She became paranoid about how others perceived her.
As a result, she began avoiding the team member, which wasn’t working out well.
The HR leader asked me to conduct a session to help Sarah, providing a brief while Sarah shared examples of the scenario before we started.
Initially, Sarah was quite nervous, but I reassured her, and we began the session.
It was interesting. When I mimicked the tough team member's behaviour; Sarah got defensive and even rude at times. It was clear the team member had got under her skin.
After letting this play out for a bit, I paused and asked how she felt she had done.
She acknowledged that the conversation hadn't gone as she had hoped. But, she appreciated my accurate portrayal of the team member.
We discussed what had gone well, like her calm tone and lack of emotion. But we also noted areas for improvement.
I suggested she have a clear goal. It was to understand why the team member was behaving this way and what was making her unhappy.
I also advised Sarah to start the meeting in a positive way. She should emphasise her desire for the team members' success.
We practised framing the conversation this way.
It made me, as the character, more willing to engage.
By the third round, Sarah had a lightbulb moment. She realised she didn't need to defend herself. Instead, she should ask questions and let the team member share their view.
This shift helped her find the issue's root cause, making the conversation more productive and measured.
Difficult conversations can be overwhelming. But, practising in a safe, low-stakes place lets you experiment and get feedback. This will help you approach the conversation with clarity and confidence. After one coaching session, you'll be ready to face tough discussions. You'll know how to steer them to a positive outcome for you and your team.
Why impACT Coaching?
1) Unshakeable confidence to handle tough conversations
Practising in a no-stakes environment eliminates fear and hesitation, empowering managers to tackle even the most challenging discussions head-on. Without this, managers avoid conversations, escalating issues and creating unnecessary stress for HR.
2) Real-world solutions bespoke to you
impACT coaching sessions address specific challenges with actionable strategies, ensuring managers can apply what they learn right away. Generic training wastes time, leaving managers ill-equipped for their real problems.
3) Mastery of communication under pressure
Learn to stay composed, manage emotions, and lead conversations toward productive outcomes. Emotional reactions damage trust and worsen team conflicts, leading to higher turnover and lost productivity.
4) Time-saving, cost-efficient leadership transformation
One session can save thousands in employee turnover, grievances, and lost productivity by resolving conflicts before they spiral. Avoiding this training means HR leaders waste time and resources cleaning up preventable issues.
5) The power of preparation with expert guidance
Kate’s HR expertise and acting background combine to create realistic, impactful coaching that transforms how managers lead. Without this level of preparation, managers risk stumbling through critical conversations, damaging relationships and credibility.
How is impACT coaching structured?
Preparation
Before the meeting, the attendee submits their unique scenario and shares the challenges they face. This includes the issues they're encountering, the impact on their employees, and details about the person with whom they’re struggling to have a difficult conversation. This is done through a form, allowing me to understand more about their role, the challenge, and the person involved. This helps me prepare by considering what the other person might be thinking and feeling.
The Meeting
- Initial Discussion. We start by making sure the attendee feels comfortable and safe to open up. I ask a few questions about the scenario, seeking examples of past behaviour and what concerns them most about having this difficult conversation.
- Role-Playing. The attendee begins the conversation as they normally would, while I adopt the persona of the person they will be speaking with. I respond and react as this person might, letting the conversation unfold naturally. After some time, I pause the exercise and ask how they felt and what they think could have been improved. I then provide direct feedback from the perspective of the character I’m portraying - we do this 3 times, giving feedback and encouragement throughout.
- Practice and Feedback. We repeat the conversation, incorporating the feedback, and continue this process until I feel additional feedback is needed. After a third round, the attendee usually feels much more confident and better prepared, having taken notes and practised several times.
"Role play is outside my comfort zone but Kate made me feel at ease. We covered a difficult conversation 3 times with her giving feedback and suggestions on how to get more from the conversation. By the third round, I just felt so relaxed because Kate had gently given me all the tools I needed. I'm almost excited to try this out in real life because I feel so much more confident."
Post Meeting Feedback
After the meeting, I quickly send written feedback along with a recording of the session, which the attendee can use for further reflection.
"Kate also followed up by sharing the recording of our session and meeting notes.
This will allow me to reflect if I face issues."
impACT helps managers build confidence to handle difficult conversations, creating a positive team dynamic and reducing reliance on HR for conflict management.
Our lead coach, Kate Maddison-Greenwell, combines 25 years of HR expertise with professional acting experience to help managers navigate tough conversations with confidence.
With expert coaches and actors, we create a realistic experience that leaves you fully prepared to handle the real thing.
Real Conversations.
Real Confidence.
Three things will happen after an impACT coaching session:
1) Empowered managers
Your manager will hold every conversation with confidence. They'll confront challenges with clarity. And, they'll unite your team with courage and collaboration.
2) Efficient processes
When managers manage, you no longer have to put out their fires. When you're less reactive, you can be more proactive in driving the business forward with key projects.
With a strategic focus, your organisation is not only efficient but also forward-thinking, adaptable and ready to meet future challenges head-on!
3) Economic outcomes
The organisation saves time and money as the need for additional training programs diminishes. Proactively addressing issues also reduces the risk of legal complications, compliance breaches, and costly employee grievances. The company's resources are better allocated, and potential financial pitfalls are avoided, ensuring a healthier bottom line.
"It was FANTASTIC. Kate is incredibly insightful into human behaviour and reactions. When describing a difficult conversation she knew right off who I was talking about and could play the part of that person with unbelievable accuracy- even down to the mannerisms! This made the whole role play session feel authentic.."
Meet your lead coach
Kate Maddison-Greenwell is redefining how business does HR.
Kate is Chief Problem Solver behind People Efficient - a people-first HR consultancy. A unique blend of over 25 years in HR and an acting background. With that she helps businesses build and manage high-performing teams, systems, and processes.
In a world where managers avoid tough talks and HR leaders feel overburdened, Kate steps in to change how businesses manage their people. Kate's innovative approach empowers leaders to take ownership with confidence. It works in complex restructures, leadership training, and coaching on tough conversations.
Credentials
- A Member of the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development (MCIPD).
- 15+ years at Gi group handling over 12,000 employees.
- Co-founder of play production house Rise & Howl.
Kate’s already transformed
Get HR insights drawn
from 25+ years of experience by signing up to our mailing list.
We also share free resources, news and offers.
People Efficient Ltd
Tarn House, 77 High Street,
Yeadon, Leeds,
LS19 7SP
Company Number: 11872409
Contact us
support@peopleefficient.co.uk
07397 557761
© Copyright 2021 People Efficient Ltd. All Rights Reserved.