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Workshop for teams

Managing Emotions and Defensiveness

Understanding defensiveness and building healthier responses to feedback and challenge

Defensiveness is a common, human response, especially when we feel criticised, misunderstood, or under threat.

This workshop helps participants understand why defensiveness shows up, how it impacts communication and relationships at work, and what they can do to respond more constructively in challenging moments.

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What’s covered

Key learning outcomes

Participants will:

  • Understand defensiveness as a natural threat response
  • Identify personal triggers for defensiveness
  • Recognise common defensive behaviours
  • Explore how values and emotions influence reactions
  • Learn strategies to respond more constructively to feedback
  • Practise communication and grounding skills for difficult conversations
What happens next

Booking is straightforward
STEP 1

A free chat

We ask about your organisation, what’s driving the interest, and who would be in the room. Twenty minutes, no obligation. We’ll then come back with a recommended format, duration and focus, priced.

STEP 2

Pre-briefing

Before the session, we consult with you to make sure the workshop is tailored to your organisation’s needs.

STEP 3

Delivery

One or two hours, online or in person, anywhere in Australia. Content adapted to your sector and the issues actually in your teams.

You’re in good hands

Evidence-led, trusted across Australia

90%+ of people we work with report improvements in a mental health and wellbeing outcome.
1:6 return on investment. For every $1 invested in workplace wellbeing, organisations receive up to $6 back.
3,700 people trained across 52 organisations Australia-wide in 2025 alone.

Trusted by 150+ organisations across Australia

Henley Properties DHL Continental Animal Welfare League Australia Post Australian Institute of Sport Cartier Bank Australia SA Health KPMG Mitre 10 Metcash NSW Government Queensland Government Roche

“There are lots of great tips that people can apply immediately and as always the workshop is facilitated with energy, passion and credibility.”

Bank Australia

Questions we get asked

Before you book

Can the workshop be delivered online or in person?
Both. We deliver in person anywhere in Australia, or virtually if your people are spread across sites or you would rather not bring everyone into one room. The content and the activities work either way, and we will talk through which format suits your group when we chat.
Who will facilitate our session?
We have around 20 Be Well Certified facilitators around the country. Being Be Well Certified means we have taken them through the science behind our programs and they deliver our materials. Rather than sending whoever happens to be free, we match a facilitator to your organisation based on the energy of the group and what your people need. You can meet the team here.
How long is the session, and how many people can attend?
Sessions run for one or two hours, and we usually suggest up to 30 people so there is still room for people to talk. If you have a bigger audience in mind, we also do presentations that land better for larger groups.
What does it cost?
Get in touch and tell us what you have in mind. Price varies depending on the format, the duration and the type of session, so once we understand your requirements we will send you a proposal with costing.
How far in advance do we need to book?
We have turned sessions around in a week and we have planned them months out, so there is flexibility. Around four weeks tends to work best. It gives us time to get to know your organisation and match the right facilitator, and it gives you time to get your team or leaders ready for it.
What does defensiveness look like at work?
Defensiveness often shows up in everyday workplace moments. Feedback conversations, performance discussions, or moments of pressure can quickly feel personal. This can look like justifying or explaining behaviour, shutting down or disengaging, becoming reactive or argumentative, or deflecting with humour or avoidance. Over time, these patterns can strain relationships, reduce trust, and make important conversations harder than they need to be. Understanding defensiveness helps people respond with greater awareness, stay open to feedback, and maintain more constructive working relationships.
Which workshop pairs well with this one?
Constructive Conversations is a natural next step. It focuses on keeping tricky conversations productive once people understand their own defensive reactions.

Let’s talk

Share some details about your organisation, any challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like support. One of our friendly team members will be in touch to book a free chat and explore the best fit for your needs.

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