Name: How the Best Leaders Do Difficult Conversations
Start: 2026-05-12T08:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-12T09:00:00+01:00

How the Best Leaders Do Difficult Conversations

Can a conversation be more important than the decision itself?

Often, this is the reality for leaders. The way you handle difficult conversations can strengthen or strain trust.

This session explores how experienced leaders approach high‑stakes discussions with clarity, composure, and intention.

We’re not here to provide scripts or techniques – we go deeper, to explore the judgment leaders must apply when the pressure is high and the outcome matters.

You’ll leave with practical insight to handle difficult conversations with confidence and credibility.

Mark Schubert joined Cleanaway as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in August 2021 and was formerly the Executive General Manager, Integrated Gas at Origin Energy for four years. He previously held a number of senior positions during an 18-year international career with the Shell Group of companies and has a track record of operating and transforming major assets, including world class LNG projects and oil refineries.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) degree from the University of Sydney and a Masters of Finance and Financial Law from the University of London and is on the advisory board of Women & Leadership Australia.

Key takeaways:

Why difficult conversations escalate or stall
How leadership behaviour is interpreted in tense moments
How experienced leaders approach high‑stakes discussions
How to protect trust while addressing the issue

Mark Schubert

Cleanaway

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Mark joined Cleanaway as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in August 2021. Mark was formerly the Executive General Manager, Integrated Gas at Origin Energy for four years. Prior to joining Origin Energy in 2015, Mark held a number of senior positions during an 18-year international career with the Shell Group of companies. He has a track record of operating and transforming major assets, including world class LNG projects and oil refineries.

Mark has Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) degree from the University of Sydney and Masters of Finance and Financial Law from the University of London. Mark is on the advisory board of Women & Leadership Australia

Emma Hicks

WeQual

SVP, Product & Learning

Emma is an experienced strategic leader specializing in professional development at
C-suite and senior management levels. With over 20 years’ experience across global sectors, she brings deep expertise in leadership education and a genuine passion for continuous professional growth.

A Fellow and Advisory Board Member of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), Emma also holds certifications from the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and previously served on the Education Committee of the European Confederation of Directors Associations (ecoDa).

Before joining WeQual, Emma spent nearly a decade with the IoD, shaping the strategic direction of its global executive programs, including the prestigious Chartered Director qualification. She later joined HR technology company Connectr, first as interim COO and then as Chief Commercial Officer, leading its mission to build more inclusive leadership pipelines.

Earlier in her career, Emma held senior roles with Reed Learning, designing and delivering internationally recognized qualifications for more than 100 corporate and academic partners.

At WeQual, Emma leads the global membership and program function. Creating communities where senior leaders connect, reflect, and develop through shared experience. Her work aligns with her core purpose: Helping individuals achieve their career goals and enabling organizations to succeed through inclusive, effective leadership.

Outside of work, Emma has a young family — Joshua (10), Jasmine (7), and Monty the cockapoo (3) — who keep her active, grounded, and grateful.