Doing difficult conversations in the workplace is the most difficult thing that some individuals find. Whether it’s about an appraisal or any complaint or performance issue or productivity it seems challenging. Unwelcoming news can bring a tense environment to the workplace along with conflicts and misunderstandings. Employers, as well as employees, need to handle difficult conversations with care and smartness.
Tense interactions are not always bad news, they can also be good news, and taking them positively can benefit both the organization and its employees. One must make sure to navigate such conversations in the right direction with all respect to their colleagues. Difficult conversations are important as they enhance the efficiency of the firm as well as the employees and work on all the issues that degrade the quality of work.
Somethings to keep in mind before preparing for the tense interaction:
While you prepare for that difficult conversation you must take care of your anticipated thoughts about the conversation. It can be pretty hard to handle but not impossible. Keep a few things in mind as an employee:
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The person you are interacting with is a nice person.
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Second, they don’t have any personal grudges with this you, they are just doing their job.
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You have a role in this conversation and why it is happening.
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Don’t take every tense conversation as bad until you heard it.
It’s a conversation where you can raise your questions and get all your doubts solved. Take every aspect of the conversation positively and work on those loose screws.
Tips that will aid you during that difficult conversation:
Some people believe that one can either be sweet or honest but that is not true. You can talk about the most crucial issue by being genuine and authentic at the same time. It is not that difficult to bring difficult news without kindness or empathy. One just needs to know how to start the conversation and how to bring it to a perfect end. As hard as it is for employees to take the difficult conversations, managers or those doing it find it challenging as well. We recommend some things to keep in mind during the conversation:
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Adopt a compassionate nature and set a tone depending upon the delicacy of the topic.
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Start with empathy, focus to be concise.
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Don’t use words that will trigger your colleagues like good or bad, etc.
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Give helping feedback along with changes to make.
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Give time, if things don’t go well reschedule the meeting and let the person calm down
No one likes to be told what to do and what not to do. Our level of tolerance has lowered down like anything in the past few years. Everyone enjoys independence and looks forward to having a word in the say. Instead of directly approaching your workmates try to be more subtle and elaborate them the problem. Try to keep the conversation based on a neutral tone and give them the power and respect they want. Employees should also try to take things positively without holding any grudges. This will help the organization as well as the individuals working in that organization. Remember to work as a team!