If you’ve ever had a conversation at work that made your stomach turn, like giving feedback or raising a concern, you’re not the only one. These talks can be awkward, emotional, and easy to put off. It’s normal to feel confused about what to say or worry about how the other person will take it.
But here’s the good news: there’s a way to feel more ready when these moments come up. It’s called the rehearsal technique. It’s something actors use to get ready for a performance, and it works just as well for real-life conversations.
At www.krispproduction.com, we help people learn how to practise these tough talks so they feel calmer and clearer going in. In this article, you’ll learn how to use rehearsal to feel more in control when a tricky conversation comes your way.
Why Are Difficult Conversations So Hard to Have at Work?
Difficult Conversations are hard because they tap into our emotions. You care about doing the right thing, but you’re also afraid of saying the wrong thing.
That tension between speaking up and keeping the peace is what makes these moments so difficult. When emotions run high and the stakes feel personal, even simple conversations can get complicated fast.
We’ve all been in situations where something needed to be said, but we didn’t know how to say it. And when we stay silent, the pressure builds. That unspoken tension can affect everything from team morale to your own peace of mind.
What kinds of conversations feel hardest?
The ones that involve vulnerability, honesty, or change usually top the list. These are the types of talks that can make even confident people feel confused.
Difficult conversations include:
- Letting someone know their work isn’t meeting expectations
- Speaking up when there’s conflict or miscommunication
- Asking for support or saying no without feeling guilty
- Giving feedback without sounding harsh or overly critical
Each of these comes with emotional weight. You’re dealing with people, not just problems.
One of the biggest reasons these conversations feel so uncomfortable is that we rarely learn how to have them. Schools, jobs, and even leadership programs often skip right over this.
Don’t worry, we all can learn how to deal with these situations properly.
You’ll see how in the next section when we walk through a simple way to practice for these moments and show up more prepared.
How the Rehearsal Technique Helps You Prepare for Difficult Conversations
One of the most effective ways to feel more in control during difficult conversations is to practice them ahead of time. This method, often used by actors preparing for a scene, can work just as well in real-life situations at work.
When you rehearse, you take the guesswork out of what to say, reduce stress, and show up with more clarity.
It helps to understand why this technique makes such a difference.
Why rehearsal works
There’s a reason actors rehearse before stepping onto a stage. They want to feel grounded, focused, and ready for anything.
Rehearsing for real-life conversations gives you that same kind of steady footing. It gives your words structure and helps your emotions settle before you’re in the moment.
Here are three key ways rehearsal helps you show up more prepared:
- Refine what you say: Speaking aloud helps you catch awkward phrasing or unintended tone. What sounds fine in your head can come across differently once you hear it (for example, “You haven’t done this right” might feel better as “Can we walk through this together?”).
- Ease physical tension: If your body tends to react under pressure, like with a tight chest or shaky voice, rehearsal can help calm your nervous system. Saying things out loud ahead of time can take the edge off and help you feel more centered.
- Build confidence through repetition: After repeating your key points a few times, they start to feel more natural. The uncertainty fades, and you begin to respond instead of react. MindTools notes that even a light rehearsal can turn a tense moment into something much more constructive.
Even a short practice session can help you walk into a conversation with more focus and control.
How to Deliver Feedback Without Creating Tension
Giving feedback is one of the most common and uncomfortable tasks in any workplace. You want to be honest but not hurtful. You want to be clear without sounding harsh. And sometimes, the fear of getting it wrong leads you to avoid the conversation altogether.
It helps to think through how your message will come across and what tone you want to strike. Practicing feedback ahead of time allows you to say what you mean without sounding sharp or overly cautious.
Feedback becomes easier when you prepare
When you’re prepared, the whole process feels more manageable. You’re not scrambling for the right words or second-guessing yourself at the moment. The points below show how rehearsal can make feedback conversations smoother and more effective:
- Tweak your tone before it matters: Rehearsing lets you hear how your words sound and adjust them if needed. For instance, changing “This wasn’t good enough” to “There are a few ways we can improve this for next time” can instantly soften the tone while keeping the message clear.
- Stay steady under pressure: Feedback conversations can spark emotions on both sides. When you’ve practiced, it becomes easier to keep your voice steady and your focus clear, even when the conversation gets uncomfortable.
- Organize your thoughts with structure: Using a method like SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact) or COIN (Context, Observation, Impact, Next steps) helps you express yourself clearly and respectfully. These frameworks are especially helpful if you tend to get flustered or forget your main points.
Indeed suggests that effective feedback balances clarity and care, making it easier for others to hear what’s being said without feeling defensive. Rehearsing ahead of time gives you a better shot at achieving that balance.
How to Start Rehearsing for Real-Life Conversations
Here’s something we’ve seen again and again. People walk into a conversation hoping it will just flow, only to leave feeling frustrated or misunderstood. We’ve been there too.
And what’s helped more than anything else is getting the words out ahead of time, even just once or twice. That small step can completely change how the real moment feels.
It doesn’t take a stage, a script, or a perfect plan. A little time and a willingness to practice can go a long way. Like anything new, the more you do it, the easier it feels.
Practicing doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s really about slowing down and walking yourself through what you want to say before the pressure is on.
A few steps to help you begin
These small actions can take a lot of the fear out of difficult conversations. Here’s how to get started:
- Choose a conversation you’ve been avoiding: Think of something small, like asking a coworker to change a behavior or checking in on a delayed task. It’s better to start with something manageable rather than jumping into your most emotionally loaded situation.
- Write down one goal and a sentence you want to say: This could be your opener or the part that usually trips you up.
- Say it out loud a few times: You’ll hear what feels natural and what doesn’t. You might find that the third time through, your voice sounds calmer and your words feel clearer.
If it helps, try it in front of someone you trust, or record yourself. Seeing your body language and hearing your tone can show you what needs adjusting.
A little preparation can change the whole energy of a conversation. At Krisp Production, we work with people who want to handle these moments with more care and confidence. This is one of the simplest, most effective ways to do that.
You Are Capable of Handling That Tough Conversation
Most people find these moments hard. Feedback, conflict, and speaking up in these situations challenge everyone at some point. With a little practice, they become easier to handle with confidence.
Rehearsing gives you a chance to slow down, choose your words, and approach the conversation in a way that reflects your values. Instead of trying to prepare every line, you’re simply creating a bit of calm before you step into something important.
Next time that tension starts to build before a difficult conversation, take a few minutes and say it out loud. Hear your tone. Notice what works. Adjust where needed.
No one gets it right every time, but preparing in this way helps you stay grounded and focused. With practice, these conversations start to feel less overwhelming and more like part of how you lead, connect, and grow.
