1 min readUncomfortable? Tell Them Anyway
by Guy Gage | March 20, 2016 | Business
While there are very few who enjoy having difficult conversations with their people, it is necessary if you want them to be better. We already know that people accelerate their development when they have clear expectations and feedback. You have opportunity to have those discussions so that they know where they stand and how to move forward. Your negligence serves no purpose other than to avoid your own discomfort. That’s not what leaders do and it doesn’t help anyone else. It’s all self-serving.
So why are you so skiddish? I normally hear that you don’t have the time, you need more information, you’re still thinking about it, blah blah excuse excuse.
There are really only two reasons that create discomfort when having the tough conversations and both are fixable.
1. You don’t have a relationship with your people such that they trust you, your observations and your direction. Have you invested the time with them so that you really know them? Have you earned the privilege to say the hard things that need to be said?
2. You don’t know how to say the hard things so that, in the end, they thank you for your correction. Have you learned the skills to say the difficult with a balance of honesty AND respect? Do you know your people well enough to anticipate how to say things so they will hear you?
Since others depend on you to provide them the valuable sustenance they need to grow, step up and do the difficult. While you may think its optional and of little consequence when putting it off, you’re only fooling yourself and not helping them.
Having read this message, at least one person has come to mind that you OWE them an engaging conversation. Who is it? When today will you speak with them?
Read Related Blogs:
Thank You For Your Business
What We Say If it wasn’t for your clients, you wouldn’t have a job. But you do have clients who value your work and relationships enough to pay you. That’s why on your website, your invoices, your emails and even in your calls, you find ways of saying Thank You For...
Struggle Or Learn
The Struggle Why can't life be easier? Why won't people just do what they are supposed to do? Why don't things go the way they were planned? Why does everything have to be a struggle? We all say these things when we are frustrated and, well,,,struggling. What Struggle...
Keep Your Oar In The Water
You’re On The Team One of the great analogies that aptly describes a professional service firm is that of a crew boat. If you are on the team, you must keep your oar in the water or else you are simply cargo being carried along by the others who are furiously rowing...
