Episode 254 - Managing Tough Conversations and Difficult People! with Mark McPherson

Welcome back to another firecracker of an episode on Playing With Perspective – The Suspended Animation Podcast! 🔥

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*** Always looking for fantastic guests for upcoming shows - feel free to buzz me on 0414659800 to chat or 👉 https://www.mixo.io/site/podcast-guest-booking-2fh52  

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In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the trickiest (but most powerful) skills we can develop in business and in life — how to handle tough conversations and difficult people… and there’s no better guide than the incredible Mark McPherson! 🎯

With over 45 years of hands-on experience, Mark has seen it all. Whether it’s staff tension, frontline drama, or high-stakes workplace conversations, he’s built a proven toolkit to help professionals confidently inform, inspire, and influence — even when the heat is on. 💼💬

Mark is the genius behind the Workplace Performance Blueprint, Agent Provocateur Role-Plays, and Personal Conversation Scripts. His mission? To empower you with real-world, down-to-earth tools that actually work when it comes to navigating challenging conversations and personalities. 🙌

💡 We unpack:

- Why "difficult people" are difficult — and how to spot them early

- What makes a conversation “tough” (and how to reframe it)

- Mark’s 9 Types of Tough Conversations — and how to tackle each one

- Powerful mindset shifts and strategies to approach conflict with clarity

- The role of scripting in building confidence and staying in control

- Real-life success stories from the front lines

- And so much more!

Whether you're leading a team, dealing with a tricky client, or just want to master the art of calm under pressure — this episode is packed with practical insights you can use immediately! 🎯

👉 Tune in now, take notes, and start showing up stronger in every conversation.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode gave you something to think about!

Find out more about Mark and his brilliant work here:

Website - http://markmcpherson.com.au/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmcpherson1/ 

FB - https://www.facebook.com/BestPracticeBehaviourForBilliantCustomerService 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMcPherson1