People often avoid difficult conversations because they don’t know how to begin them, they are afraid things might get out of control, and/or they don’t know how it will end. They lack both experience and confidence. Sometimes there are important and missing conversations because it isn’t recognized that there is a missing conversation.
The put-your-head-in-the-sand approach rarely makes things better.
There are many different techniques and scripts that contribute to productive conversations. Difficult/missing conversations training leads to confidence and a willingness to have those conversations. As leaders, managers, supervisors, and staff have more "difficult" conversations, they find it is easier to have them. As a result:
-
Their skill level rises
-
The work environment is healthier
-
People are more productive (avoidance requires more energy than a productive conversation)
Leaders, managers, supervisors, and staff are trained to come from "carefrontation," not confrontation.
Carefrontation includes:
- Caring enough to share
- Kindness
- Support
- Directness
- Bravery
- Recognizing uncomfortable feelings
