Dealing With Difficult People Workshop

In this three-day workshop, you’ll learn essential skills to approach difficult conversations and challenging people with confidence. Available In-Person and Live Online.

Why Choose the Stitt Feld Handy Group

With over 30 years of experience, we know that those who connect knowledge, skill, and strategy shape the future. We’ve empowered over 60,000 professionals to excel in having difficult conversations, negotiation, conflict resolution, coaching, and customer service by equipping them with practical, real-world skills.

Our team of seasoned leaders combine real-world insight with tailored mentorship, helping you see the bigger picture and unlock your full potential. At Stitt Feld Handy Group, we don’t just teach skills, we make it possible for you to achieve meaningful impact.

Course Overview

  • Smaller class sizes for personalized interaction with instructors, coaches and fellow participants
  • Gain essential skills through hands-on role plays with live, objective feedback from experienced coaches
  • Experience the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Step II, alongside eight interactive exercises, three case studies, and five role plays
  • Practice handling specific, real-life conversations you’ve identified, with instructors on hand to answer questions and offer guidance
  • Master six key themes that contribute to difficult conversations
  • Choose the learning format that works best for you: Instructor-Led Online or Live In-Person sessions
  • Apply real-world skills immediately to any situation
  • Enjoy a supportive environment at our in-person sessions with a continental breakfast, catered lunch, and refreshments throughout the day
  • Earn a Certificate of Completion from the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

Learning Outcomes

  • Learn more about different personalities and how to interact more effectively
  • Identify what triggers you and manage emotions confidently
  • Prepare effectively for difficult conversations, from start to finish
  • Turn friction into flow by handling confrontations calmly and respectfully
  • Become a better listener
  • Overcome the fears that hold you back
  • Deliver constructive feedback
  • Minimize productivity losses and boost morale
  • Preserve and repair positive workplace relationships
  • Manage problem employees effectively and respectfully
  • Equip your staff with the skills to handle challenges confidently and lead with impact
  • Build trust across your team by providing the tools to make productive conversations possible

Upcoming Sessions

As of January 1, 2025, graduates will receive a certificate of completion from Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.

 

The sessions will run from 8:30 – 4:30 (Eastern Time) daily.

Feb 19 – 21, 2025

Toronto, ON, Canada


Mar 26 – 28, 2025

Live Online


May 7 – 9, 2025

Toronto, ON, Canada


Feb 19 – 21, 2025

Toronto, ON, Canada


Mar 26 – 28, 2025

Live Online


May 7 – 9, 2025

Toronto, ON, Canada


Jun 24 – 26, 2025

Live Online


Oct 8 – 10, 2025

Toronto, ON, Canada


Nov 12 – 14, 2025

Live Online


I think it will make me more effective in everything, not just my work life. The ability to understand my personality, my emotions and how I approach situations will help me be more successful in all my conversations moving forward. Self-awareness is the most important thing to understand, because it is the one thing we can control.
Joe Rooyakkers | President | Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation | Toronto, ON, Canada
This course should be mandatory. You quickly learn why frustrations occur in the workplace and at home and learn how to eliminate them…or at least calmly understand the root of them.
Mike Carney | Bell | Toronto, ON, Canada
The workshop dealt with real situations, and so made it alive and not just another course. I can actually use the skills learned. The instructors truly facilitated the learning by creating the correct environment. When you practise something you actually remember it more vividly and so the role plays and exercises were necessary and exciting.
Enez Joseph | T&T Police Services | Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
I thought I knew a lot until I attended this course! The various components of a conversation were broken down. The exercises were thought provoking, interesting and very useful.
MaryAnne Pankiw | HR Manager | GO Transit | Toronto, ON, Canada
Best workshop I have attended in a long time. Instructors were absolutely first rate.
Marlene Ellis | Human Resources Development Canada | Windsor, ON, Canada
The best workshop I have ever attended.
Julie Brandt | James Cook University | Queensland, Australia
Excellent. Entertaining. Knowledgeable. Patient. It was wonderful being able to immediately experience concepts being taught.
Ellen Joell | Bermuda Land Development Company | St. George’s, Bermuda
So many training sessions from other providers are “Death by Powerpoint”. Yours is very dynamic and engaging. I don’t think there was any room for improvement. I enjoyed the the ease of the ZOOM presentations and breakout rooms.
Mark Kent | Detective Sergeant | Ontario Provincial Police | Orillia, ON, Canada
The virtual training was amazing. It felt like an in-person experience.
Julie Lawson | Georgian College | Barrie, ON, Canada
I feel I learned just as much if not more than if I had gone physically to the in-class workshop.
Chanelle Jackman | Rubis West Indies Limited | St. John’s, Antigua

Synopsis


If you’ve been avoiding tough conversations, struggling to assert yourself, or feeling drained by certain interactions, the Dealing with Difficult People Workshop is right for you. Gain the essential skills to handle challenging conversations and individuals with confidence. Through practical exercises, you’ll learn techniques to turn conflict into collaboration, building trust and understanding along the way. You’ll complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Step II and receive a personal report that sheds light on your personality type and how it interacts with others. You’ll also have the chance to practice a specific conversation, chosen by you, with support from instructors and fellow participants. This workshop brings together individuals from diverse organizations to build skills in a collaborative environment, boosting your confidence as you put knowledge into action.


Syllabus


  • Assess what makes a conversation difficult
  • Start difficult conversations effectively
  • Address problematic behaviors calmly
  • Approach difficult people constructively
  • Identify and understand different personality types, including your own
  • Gain insight into how personality types contribute to workplace dynamics

At the end of the day, you will receive your personal Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Step II report, a trusted tool used worldwide to understand personality types and improve communication. With insights into your own and others’ styles, you’ll be equipped to lead with confidence and reduce conflict.

  • Identify what triggers conflict and manage emotional responses effectively
  • Avoid common communication pitfalls
  • Strengthen listening skills in challenging situations
  • Find solutions with those you may have limited time for
  • Get to the root of issues and avoid blame
  • Disagree without escalating conflict
  • Use a structured template to prepare for challenging conversations
  • Respond to surprises with confidence

  • Address difficult conversations in the workplace
  • Conduct performance reviews effectively
  • Manage difficult conversations at home
  • Build a problem-solving toolkit for handling tough conversations
  • Control your reactions to keep conversation productive
  • Learn when and how to end a difficult conversation
  • Overcome fears around difficult conversations


You’ll also have the chance to practice a specific skill or conversation you’ve identified. Our facilitators are available to guide you through this experience and answer any questions that arise.


Lead Instructors


Elinor F. Whitmore
Vice President, B.A., LL.B., LL.M., C. Med
Jason Stitt
JD, B.A.
Justine Moritz
BSW, RSW, ECCM

Online vs. In Person


Learn your way. Whether online or in person, each option offers unique benefits. In-person provides a dynamic environment where you can interact directly with facilitators and fellow participants, while online training offers a highly engaging course from the convenience of your home.

Both our Online and In-person training offer:

  • Smaller class sizes for more interaction with facilitators
  • Breakout sessions for collaborative learning with peers
  • Access to videos and handouts for continued growth beyond the course
  • Live, coached feedback during role plays to refine your skills
  • Engaging, interactive sessions with real-world negotiation scenarios

Who Should Attend


The Dealing with Difficult People Workshop is designed for anyone who has to deal with difficult people or difficult issues. Human resource managers, team leaders, managers, lawyers, educators, consultants, police officers, customer service representatives and people who negotiate will all benefit from this workshop.


Accreditations


This course has been pre-approved by the following organizations, among others.

This program has been approved for CPD hours under Section A of the CPD Log of the HRPA. Visit our accreditations page for details.

This program is valid for PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. Visit our accreditations page for details.

The Stitt Feld Handy Group has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario. Visit our accreditations page for details.

This workshop has been pre-approved toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).


A complete list can be found on our Accreditations page.

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