Types of Difficult Conversations
Bad News
- Passing away of a close relative
- Having to return home
- Lack of Funds
Confrontational
- Inappropriate behaviour in team
- Poor performance/ Lack of Progress
- Difference in perspective/ misalignment
Seek Healthy Collaboration/Problem Solving
How to Get Started
- Consult with your HR Person
- Preprocess with your Supervisor
- Don’t Take Things to Personally
- Debrief with HR and/or your Supervisor
Starting Phrases
- Bad news: “I have to tell you something that I know will be hard…”
- Challenging behaviour: “I have observed… and want to talk about that…”
- Challenging perspective: “I’ve heard you say a few times… I would like to learn more about that as I struggle with…”
Issue Presentation
- Bad news: clearly state the issue/decision/accident etc.
- Challenging behaviour: clearly describe in an objective way what was observed.
- Challenging perspective: draw out the perspective and provide an alternative perspective.
Listen Well and Reflect Back
- “I’d like to get your perspective on this…”
- “I hear you say that…”
- “I’m sensing that you feel bit upset about this…”
Wrapping up in a Supportive Way
- Bad news: spend most of the time on emotional and practical support.
- Behavioral challenge: move to what can you do and how I can I support you in that
- Perspectives challenge: avoid debating, get a commitment to further think about it. Make an appointment to get back to it.
Closing
- Affirm the relationship
- Pray
Resources
Videos
- Dreading those difficult conversations- supervisor training
- 5 Tips for Managing Difficult Conversations
Training Documents
SIL References