Episode 95 Having the Difficult Conversations with Staff

• Most of us don’t love confrontation, and good leadership can be full of it!
• Our tendency is to avoid it until absolutely necessary
  • We let it build, and build and build
  • It becomes a big deal instead of a small annoyance
  • Our pot boils over, the situation becomes ugly
• We should address issues quickly and often
  • Micro-confrontations are much easier to deal with
  • They are less inflammatory
• Apply “constant gentle pressure” on your team
  • Always nudging them in the right direction
  • Always coaching in the moment
  • Always holding them accountable on small issues which then don’t have the chance to grow into large ones
• Challenge directly
  • Don’t beat around the bush
  • This isn’t personal, it’s just business
  • Discussing issues with your staff should never be punishment – if it is, you may not have the right person or you may not be doing the right thing
    • Discipline is essential
    • If managed correctly, there aren’t many issues that get serious enough to become discipline
      • “Felonies” are the exception:  Theft, absence, fighting, harassment, etc. 
  • Coaching should be just that
• Having trouble with radical candor?
  • Maybe you have not done enough by way of social capital to be comfortable  

Helping your team overcome their mistakes, misunderstandings, and shortcomings in an effort to make them better; make your team better; make your business better! Be quick, be honest, be direct and always come from a place of love.