Unboxing The Tough Stuff

Practical training for the conversations nobody prepared us for.

Know what to say and do when life shows up at work.

One-Day Workshop

Practical, interactive training

Up to 12 People

Small enough to practise properly

In-Person or Online

Tailored for your organisation

Life doesn't stop when we come to work.

A bereavement. A divorce. Debt. A sick child. An ageing parent. Depression. Three nights without sleep.

We can’t leave this stuff at the door. But when it shows up at work, the people around us often don’t know what to say.

So we avoid the conversation. Wait for them to say something. Or worry we’ll make things worse.

Unboxing The Tough Stuff gives people the confidence and practical skills to reach in when something changes.

Not to diagnose. Not to fix. Not to become a therapist.

To notice. Start the conversation. Listen. And know what to do next.

What do we mean by “the tough stuff”?

The human stuff that doesn't stop just because we've come to work.

Life happens. And sometimes it happens right in the middle of the working day.

A bereavement. Financial pressure. A relationship breakdown. Depression. A sick child. An ageing parent. A frightening diagnosis. Sleepless nights. Something going on at home that nobody else knows about.

Unboxing The Tough Stuff gives people the confidence and practical skills to reach in when something changes.

You’ll learn how to:

Notice when something has changed
Start a conversation without making it awkward
Listen without immediately trying to fix
Ask useful questions and avoid the unhelpful ones
Understand your role and your boundaries
Know when additional or professional support may be needed
Look after yourself when supporting someone else
Follow up rather than assuming one conversation fixed everything

You don’t need to have the answer. You need to know how to start.

“The session helped our leaders spot pressure earlier, have braver conversations and actually connect with people rather than manage them from a distance. We left with clarity, confidence and a shared vocabulary we still use across the business.”

Lynsey Swords-McCann
Head of Talent, Leadership & Development, IG Group

Want to bring Unboxing The Tough Stuff to your organisation?

Tell me a little about your people and what you want them to feel more confident handling. We’ll work out whether Unboxing The Tough Stuff is the right fit.