Free sample lesson · For school leaders

Preparing for a Difficult Conversation

A complete 13-page lesson from Becoming a Middle Leader. Built around a free 10-minute animated film, with the CLEAR framework, a real school example, role-play cards and a planner your middle leaders can use the same week.

What is inside

Everything you need for one leadership meeting

40-minute agendaRun it in one leadership meeting, step by step.
Free 10-minute filmThe Conversation Nobody Wanted to Have, with questions to discuss.
The CLEAR frameworkClarify, Listen, Explain, Agree, Review, with example lines.
Fact or assumptionPractise separating what you saw from what you think.
Phrase bankOpening lines, and the three mistakes to avoid.
Role-play cardsThree scenarios with an observer checklist.
CLEAR plannerPrepare a real conversation you have been putting off.
Follow-up recordAgree the next steps and review progress.
Your course leaderMeet Jacques Tredoux, who designed and wrote the course, and the support he offers.

A look inside

Designed to be printed and used

Cover of the sample lesson Preparing for a Difficult Conversation — The cover and film QR codes

The CLEAR framework page — CLEAR in five steps

Daniel and Sarah real school example page — A real school example

Role-play cards and observer checklist page — Role-play cards

Like what you see?

Every lesson in Becoming a Middle Leader is built the same way. Train up to 10 middle leaders with a team licence, including a live 60-minute session and a certificate of completion for each person.

See school licences See the course