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Successful Difficult Conversations in School: Improve your team's performance, behaviour and attitude with kindness and success
Do you feel you’re struggling to get your message across, or that your words are not having the desired effect? Then this book is for you.
Rooted in solid theory and based on experience, this book will help you have more effective conversations when talking about the ‘tricky stuff’ in school. Whether with colleagues or parents, the practical advice and simple tools will help make those inevitable conversations easier.
Sonia Gill is a successful business leader and qualified teacher. Her company, Heads Up, has supported hundreds of school leaders make their difficult conversations more successful and a lot less stressful.
Rooted in solid theory and based on experience, this book will help you have more effective conversations when talking about the ‘tricky stuff’ in school. Whether with colleagues or parents, the practical advice and simple tools will help make those inevitable conversations easier.
Sonia Gill is a successful business leader and qualified teacher. Her company, Heads Up, has supported hundreds of school leaders make their difficult conversations more successful and a lot less stressful.
157 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2018
54 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 28, 2025
I really wanted to like this book, I really did, as a couple of colleagues I really respect recommended it to me. Moreover, I agree that these conversations are important. It does have some really good advice in it too (especially in terms of stopping procrastination and getting to the point).
However, there are reasons for my low review.
1) I read this book during half term break, while tucked up with my usual holiday head cold and bad back, as there's no way I had time during term time. I'm not sure I was in the best frame of mind.
2) Connected to the above, the reason for holiday ailments are not only due to our exposure to large numbers of people, but stress related. Stress at the lower level is something that is mentioned, but seens glossed over a little in the book. The way, the teacher who claims they don't have enough time for marking, for example, gave a surprising lack of sympathy. (I get mine done but not without a huge struggle and long hours into the weekend).
3) my biggest complaint is that the whole process feels more like hard nosed manipulation and coercion when I've seen it in practice. I am pretty sure I've had people use it on me and on a good number of my colleagues, which would be fine if it actually leads to the happier and more productive workplace promised, however, I remain sceptical that it has.
However, there are reasons for my low review.
1) I read this book during half term break, while tucked up with my usual holiday head cold and bad back, as there's no way I had time during term time. I'm not sure I was in the best frame of mind.
2) Connected to the above, the reason for holiday ailments are not only due to our exposure to large numbers of people, but stress related. Stress at the lower level is something that is mentioned, but seens glossed over a little in the book. The way, the teacher who claims they don't have enough time for marking, for example, gave a surprising lack of sympathy. (I get mine done but not without a huge struggle and long hours into the weekend).
3) my biggest complaint is that the whole process feels more like hard nosed manipulation and coercion when I've seen it in practice. I am pretty sure I've had people use it on me and on a good number of my colleagues, which would be fine if it actually leads to the happier and more productive workplace promised, however, I remain sceptical that it has.
July 29, 2024
I went in quite skeptical, but there are lots of little nuggets of wisdom I've taken away. A good mix of management theory (ideas which I hadn't met and are explained well) and practical examples (which clarified the issues at hand) mean the book strikes the right balance between ideas and implementation.
Sonia writes in an accessible, easy to read style and engaged with common problems throughout the book. I've realised I'm much worse at this sort of conversation than I expected, but also feel equipped with the tools to improve.
Sonia writes in an accessible, easy to read style and engaged with common problems throughout the book. I've realised I'm much worse at this sort of conversation than I expected, but also feel equipped with the tools to improve.
January 3, 2026
An easy to read book with some great advice and a clear perspective of what it’s like to be in a management role.
Gave me opportunity to reflect on previous difficult conversations I have had to have but also when I have been on the receiving end of a difficult conversation.
Advice I hope to put into use to avoid the worry caused when I know I need to initiate a difficult conversation with someone.
Gave me opportunity to reflect on previous difficult conversations I have had to have but also when I have been on the receiving end of a difficult conversation.
Advice I hope to put into use to avoid the worry caused when I know I need to initiate a difficult conversation with someone.
June 29, 2021
Superb! Confrontation is something I actively avoid but this really practical guide gives excellent advice on how to have those difficult conversations most effectively and without damaging relationships. Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone in a leadership role.
March 12, 2023
Some useful tips including STORM flowchart, licence to kill buddy, etc. It felt a little dated and quite black and white as in either negative or positive. I expected to see more included on challenge.
November 12, 2019
Start is a bit waffley, but goes on to be very effective for tough conversations.
Recommended for a quick piece of CPD.
Recommended for a quick piece of CPD.
July 25, 2022
A hugely helpful book that I have no doubt I will keep returning to in my time as a middle leader.
May 1, 2023
I thought this was great. Clear and concise instructions that are memorable - perfect because you can’t just whip out the book and start reading when a difficult conversation is necessary.
April 13, 2024
A lot to take in and I'll definitely need to come back to this book but it's been a great read to reflect on my current practice.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews