Tough Conversations at Work
The ability to navigate challenging topics is a skill - one that I believe can improve with experience. I've learned that tough conversations, (as scary as they might be!) are often the ones we need to have the most. Read on to learn a few tips that have helped me navigate tough conversations at work.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead sounds easy right? I agree, but have found that planning ahead is sometimes easier said than done. When emotions are high, tough conversations can escalate quickly. This may impact our ability to pause and really consider what we want to say before we say it aloud. When this happens, it's important to stop and reflect before speaking - we don't want to say something we will later regret. I have found that requesting a pause in the conversation can be beneficial in gathering my thoughts. This type of request can be as simple as, "I want to discuss this further but need more time. Can we revisit this topic tomorrow?" A break in the conversation allows you time to gather your thoughts and plan ahead. Sit down and write out key points you want to cover. Not only will this provide you with time to organize key points, but it will also give you the ability to make your message concise and efficient.
Active Listening and Empathy
It's important to be present during critical conversations. Show the other person that you care about what they have to say by being considerate of turn-taking in the conversation, making eye contact, and pausing to think prior to responding. Be mindful about your rate of speech, volume, and tone. Take time to slow down and think about the perspective of the other person. Consider the following: In critical conversations am I engaging in conversation or talking over others? Am I truly listening to the other person, or is my mind racing trying to think about my next response? By considering how the other person feels we gain insight into their perspective. Conversing from a place of empathy may help us come to an agreement, change our opinion, or learn something new!
Mindset is Key!
If you're like me, then situations such as difficult conversations at work may intimidate you. If I know I'm going to have a hard conversation, I'm prone to analyzing the possibilities - often fixating on the negative instead of the positive. The more we can identify this habit the better we can become at nixing it in order to improve our mindset. Instead of focusing on the negative, I try to actively visualize and consider all of the positive outcomes that could happen as a result of these conversations. Practice writing or thinking about 2 - 5 positive outcomes you want to happen as a result of these conversations. The end result? Hopefully reduced stress and a better outlook on these situations.
I hope this quick read will help you prepare for your next critical conversation at work. As always, thank you so much for being here with me. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Have a wonderful day!