Challenging conversations are part of everyday working life. They can be based on a wide range of topics: poor performance or conduct, complaints, personality clashes, and job insecurity, to name a few. In order to make sure that these conversations are constructive, productive, and have the best possible outcome for everyone concerned, there are a number of skills that we need to master. Being fully prepared is the first thing. Then, having a toolkit of strategies and techniques at hand to deal with an emotional response, a difference of opinion, or a negative attitude gives us the confidence to tackle these conversations head on, without deferring, delaying, or deflecting.
