Communication in the workplace cannot be understated. And when it comes to handling difficult conversations at work, proper communication is key. These types of conversations can be awkward and unpleasant, but below are some tips to keep in mind the next time you have to face a difficult conversation at work.
Everyone’s defenses are high when these conversations roll around so it’s key you keep your cool and have a plan when they do. Here are a couple of tips to help.
From asking a coworker for help to addressing personality clashes between teammates, below are eight difficult conversations with actionable tips on how to handle them.
Sometimes we get to our desk on Monday and a wave of anxiety runs through us. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at work. If you have too much to do, be honest with your boss so you can come up with a game plan together to ease the stress. You will be doing yourself and your team a huge favor. Here are some tips:
● Be honest
● Avoid complaining
● Offer solutions to help
Disagreeing with someone is tough—especially when that someone is your boss. If you feel strongly about your opinion, you should speak your mind. With that being said, make sure to do it in a respectful and non-condescending way. Odds are your boss will appreciate your confidence and will respect you even more for speaking up as long as you handle it appropriately. You could be doing him or her a huge favor. Here are some tips:
● Keep the conversation positive
● Focus on results
● Respect the final decision
Not everyone is going to get along in the workplace. If you are faced with two personalities on a team who just can’t seem to work out their differences on their own, it’s time to step in and address the problem. Here are some tips for handling that situation:
● Listen to both sides
● Determine the real issue
● Find a solution together
It’s natural for competition and jealousy to arise when promotion opportunities are present. If you catch employees being disrespectful or gossiping about a recent promotion decision, it’s important to stop the chatter right away. Here’s how:
● Address the issue ASAP
● Be empathetic
● Stand by your decision
It’s okay to ask for help. A lot of times employees will avoid this because they don’t want to seem incompetent. However, reaching out for help is not something to be ashamed of. It’s smart and will likely help you in the long run. Here are some tips on asking for help:
● Be honest with what you can handle
● Give thorough instructions
● Offer help on future projects
On the other hand, sometimes a coworker will ask for your help on a project you simply don’t have time for. If you already have a lot on your plate, it’s okay to say no. Here are some tips on how to do that:
● Be respectful
● Tell them about your current workload
● Offer help in the future
About the Author: Tom Anderson is the editorial director at Haven Life. He is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in CNBC.com, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Money, Monocle and Wired.