Blog

August 19, 2024

Difficult conversations

Manager’s: How can you manage difficult conversations in the workplace?

As mangers you may often find yourselves having sensitive discussions around topics such as performance issues, team conflicts, complaints, or organisational changes for example.

As a manager think about…

What topics do you find most challenging to address?

How do they make you feel?

Difficult conversations are part of normal organisational life.

So why, when they are part and parcel of our managerial duties, do we find these conversations so challenging, and how can we overcome these hurdles to foster growth and effectiveness within our teams?

There can be several reasons why we might shy away from difficult conversations in the workplace:

These are all natural thoughts and feelings. It’s important to acknowledge how you are feeling and explore why this might be with gentle curiosity so that you can take action to address.

The consequences of not having difficult conversations in the workplace can be far reaching, impacting every level of the organisation from employee morale and engagement to organisational performance and productivity.

By addressing issues promptly and effectively, managers can foster a more positive, productive and resilient workplace.

Tips for managing difficult conversations

Difficult conversations, while they can be uncomfortable, provide opportunities for growth and improvement. Over time you will develop greater confidence to tackle these conversations.

Hints and tips to consider include:

Before the conversation