In Season 6, Episode 1 of Your Path to Career Success, I dive into the crucial topic of handling conflict and navigating difficult conversations. Whether you’re in a leadership role or working closely with a team, knowing how to manage these situations effectively is an essential skill.
In this episode, I share 10 practical tips to help you approach tough conversations with confidence.
Here’s a breakdown of some key strategies:
•Stay Calm and Centred:
oTake a moment to breathe and stay grounded. If emotions are running high, it’s okay to pause. Staying calm helps keep the conversation productive and prevents saying things you might regret.
•Listen Actively:
oFocus on hearing the other person’s perspective before jumping in. This shows that you value their input and can often uncover solutions or insights you might not have considered.
•Use “I” Statements, Not “You” Statements:
oInstead of blaming, use language like “I’m feeling concerned” or “I’ve noticed…” This shifts the focus from accusation to understanding, fostering more constructive dialogue.
•Be Specific and Focus on Behaviours, Not Personality:
oTalk about actions rather than attacking someone's character. For example, say “I noticed that the last few deadlines were missed” instead of “You’re lazy.” This keeps the conversation focused on resolving issues rather than personal attacks.
•Stay Solution-Focused:
oAsk questions like, “How can we work together to resolve this?” or “What support do you need?” to shift the conversation towards finding a way forward, rather than lingering on the problem.
I also talk about the importance of:
•Avoiding public confrontation
•Practicing empathy
•Maintaining a respectful tone throughout
•Knowing when to seek mediation if needed
I wrap up by encouraging you to reflect on your own experiences with handling tough conversations and what’s worked for you. I hope these tips help you build stronger relationships with your team and improve communication in challenging situations!
👉 What's the most challenging conversation you've had at work, and how did you handle it?
Share in the comments or email me at [email protected].
Useful Resources
Books:
•Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
•Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen
Articles:
•How to Handle Difficult Conversations at Work (Harvard Business Review)
[Link: https://hbr.org/2019/03/how-to-handle-difficult-conversations-at-work]
•The Art of Managing Difficult Conversations (Forbes)
[Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2021/03/01/the-art-of-managing-difficult-conversations/]
Videos and TED Talks:
•How to Have Difficult Conversations by Celeste Headlee (TEDx)
[Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation]
•The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown (TED Talk). [Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability]
What next?
A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success –

I would love to know what you think of the episode