Handling Challenging Calls

A practical six-hour course on handling challenging calls — minimise the risk of escalation, recognise triggers and respond confidently to five types of challenging caller.

  • Audience

    This six-hour course is open to anyone who handles telephone calls, including:

    Pe-requisites

    No prior experience is required — this course is open to anyone who handles calls in their role.

    Duration

    6 hours

    Delivery Method

    Face to face or Virtual
  • What Is a Challenging Call?

    Identify the calls you find most difficult.

    Positive Telephone Skills

    Plan, prepare and build rapport at the start.

    Behaviour and Triggers

    What lies behind challenging behaviour.

    The Abusive Caller

    Defuse anger and set limits.

    The Persistent Caller

    Handle repeated questions and refusal to listen.

    The Talkative Caller

    Balance empathy with call control.

    The Expert

    Manage callers who think they know more.

    The Emotional Caller

    Empathy, underlying issues and crisis response.

    Practice Sessions and Action Planning

    Live practice and applying the skills at work.