When the conversation cannot wait
A variation needs discussing. A subcontractor relationship is under pressure. A delay is turning into blame. Construction leaders need a way to deal with the issue while keeping people working together.
Our training brings practical conflict resolution skills into the conversations your team already has. It combines legal and procedural awareness with psychology-informed approaches and time to practise.
Site and project teams
For site managers, project managers and contract administrators managing subcontractor and consultant relationships, client expectations and competing priorities.
People and workplace leaders
For leaders and HR teams navigating difficult behaviour, performance conversations and workplace conflict, while supporting fair and respectful processes.
Skills for the pressure points on a project
Choose the topics that matter to your team and practise them using situations they recognise.
Difficult conversations
Prepare for conflict, raise concerns clearly and work through differences without losing sight of the working relationship.
De-escalation
Recognise escalating tension and practise responding when someone is frustrated, guarded or reluctant to engage.
Working relationships
Use assertive communication with clients, subcontractors and consultants, and adapt to different personalities and communication styles.
Negotiating priorities
Navigate competing deadlines, costs and expectations. Explore interests and options before positions become fixed.
Feedback and performance
Give clear feedback and hold performance conversations with structure, fairness and a practical next step.
Dispute meetings
Prepare for and conduct without-prejudice meetings, using a structured negotiation and mediation process.
A format that fits your team
On-site workshops
Half-day or full-day sessions at your site or a local venue. Small-group practice, project scenarios and take-away resources help turn the learning into usable skills.
Live online training
A focused 90-minute session or a series of sessions for people across sites. Polls, breakout discussions and practical exercises keep the work interactive.
Speaking and keynotes
Conference sessions, leadership events and all-staff gatherings. A keynote can be supported by a breakout workshop, masterclass or panel conversation.
Coaching and reflective practice
One-to-one support for managers carrying a difficult conversation or complex team dynamic. Agree the focus, then work through it across a series of sessions.
Training your people can use on site
The focus is on practical language, a clear structure and opportunities to try it out. Your team works with relevant scenarios, rather than relying on theory alone.
Practitioners who understand pressure
Legal, conflict resolution and psychological perspectives, brought together to suit your brief.
Shiv Martin
Shiv is a practising lawyer, mediator, conciliator and vocational trainer. Nationally accredited as a mediator since 2012, she brings real dispute resolution experience and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to the learning room.
Kieran Plasto
Kieran is a registered psychologist with more than 35 years of experience across psychology, senior HR and safety roles in mining, heavy industry and construction. His work includes workplace dynamics, leadership development and psychological safety.
How we shape the training
1. Understand the brief
Talk through the roles in the room, the pressures on your projects and the conversations you want people to handle more confidently.
2. Tailor the session
Agree the topics, format and group size. Build the learning around relevant scenarios and the needs of the participants.
3. Put skills into practice
Use small-group exercises, facilitated discussion and realistic conversations to test the tools and receive feedback.
4. Support the next step
Provide the agreed resources and use participant feedback to reflect on the learning. Further sessions or coaching can be scoped where useful.
In practice: preparing for a dispute meeting
A building industry body wanted members and staff to have a shared approach to handling contract disputes. Shiv delivered a three-hour workshop on preparing for and conducting without-prejudice meetings.
The session combined a structured negotiation and mediation process with extended practice. Participants worked through a meeting from preparation to close, with a practical framework they could apply to future conversations.
Support beyond the training room
Planning your training
Can training be delivered on site or online?
Yes. In-person training is available on site or at a local venue across Australia and New Zealand. Live online sessions suit teams across multiple sites or those wanting a shorter refresher.
How many people can take part?
In-person workshops typically suit small groups of up to 14 participants, with larger cohorts arranged to suit the brief. We agree the group size and format before booking so there is room for practical participation.
Can you use scenarios from our projects?
Yes. The planning conversation covers your people, project pressures and learning priorities. Training can use relevant scenarios involving subcontractors, consultants, clients, variations, delays and team relationships.
Who delivers the training, and how is it quoted?
Shiv designs and delivers the training. Co-facilitation with Kieran or other expert panel members is arranged to suit the scope. Facilitators, dates, fees, travel and inclusions are confirmed in a written proposal after the briefing conversation.