<p><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42);"><strong>"Before I learned how to have difficult conversations, I used to avoid them at all costs. I was afraid of making things worse or damaging relationships, so I stayed silent even when something needed to be addressed.”</strong></span></p><div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Let's be honest. Most of us don't wake up thinking, </span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;"><em>"I hope I get to have a difficult conversation today."</em></span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Whether it's addressing poor performance, giving constructive feedback, discussing inappropriate behavior, or simply telling someone something they may not want to hear, these conversations are uncomfortable.</span></p></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Especially if you're a new leader. </span></p></div><ul><li><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">You might worry about hurting someone's feelings.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Damaging the relationship.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Saying the wrong thing.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Or making the situation even worse.</span></p></li></ul><div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">So you wait.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">And hope it will solve itself.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Unfortunately, it rarely does. </span>Addressing problems is a crucial aspect of effective everyday leadership. Whether it’s dealing with underperformance, inappropriate behavior, or unmet expectations, these discussions can be highly uncomfortable to have.</p></div></div><p><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42);"><strong>Can you, too, identify with putting these meetings off? We sure can, and most people are just like the rest of us, afraid to confront.</strong></span></p><div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><hr></div></div><div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><h2 id="6924a77c-39c8-4919-9762-57582c7cda9c" data-toc-id="6924a77c-39c8-4919-9762-57582c7cda9c" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 42.6667px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Why We Avoid Them</span></h2><p id="6924a77c-39c8-4919-9762-57582c7cda9c"></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">If difficult conversations are so important, why do we avoid them?</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Because we're human.</span></p></div></div><ul><li><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">We naturally want to protect relationships.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">We don't want conflict.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">We don't want to disappoint people.</span></p></li></ul><div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Many new leaders also carry another fear:</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;"><em>"What if they ask something I can't answer?"</em></span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Here's the good news.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">You don't need to have all the answers. You simply need to create a conversation.</span></p><hr><h2 id="68c796de-162b-4d3d-9d2b-8d31a75f5378" data-toc-id="68c796de-162b-4d3d-9d2b-8d31a75f5378" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 42.6667px; letter-spacing: 0em;">A Simple Framework for Tough Conversations</span></h2></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Before the conversation, ask yourself:</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">1. What facts do I actually know?</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Separate observations from assumptions.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Instead of:</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;"><em>"You don't care about deadlines."</em></span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Try:</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;"><em>"I've noticed three deadlines have been missed this month."</em></span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Facts create constructive conversations.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Assumptions create defensiveness.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">2. What outcome am I hoping for?</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Don't just think about what you want to say.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Think about what you want to achieve.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Do you want:</span></p></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Better performance?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Greater clarity?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">A stronger relationship?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">A shared solution?</span></p></li></ul><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Knowing your purpose helps you stay calm when emotions rise.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">3. Stay curious</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">One of the most powerful leadership questions is:</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;"><strong>"Help me understand what happened."</strong></span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">You may discover circumstances you didn't know about.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Curiosity builds trust.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Judgment closes conversations.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">4. Agree on the next step</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Every difficult conversation should end with clarity.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Ask together:</span></p></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">What happens next?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">What support is needed?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Who is responsible?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">When will we follow up?</span></p></li></ul><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">A conversation without follow-up is simply a conversation.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Leadership happens in what comes next.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><hr><h2 id="aaeab7d6-bfb7-4ed9-8c69-097a37c144a5" data-toc-id="aaeab7d6-bfb7-4ed9-8c69-097a37c144a5" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 42.6667px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Reflection Questions</span></h2><p id="aaeab7d6-bfb7-4ed9-8c69-097a37c144a5"></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Take a moment to think about your own leadership.</span></p></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Is there a conversation you've been postponing?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">What's making you hesitate?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">What facts do you know?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">What assumptions might you be making?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">What's one question you could ask instead of making a statement?</span></p></li><li style="list-style: disc;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">What's the best possible outcome for both of you?</span></p></li></ul><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><hr></div></div><div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><h2 id="b7f738fb-53b6-4c1c-810a-2ea9c6ada5fb" data-toc-id="b7f738fb-53b6-4c1c-810a-2ea9c6ada5fb" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 42.6667px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Leadership Is Built One Conversation at a Time</span></h2><p id="b7f738fb-53b6-4c1c-810a-2ea9c6ada5fb"></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">You don't become a trusted leader because every conversation is easy.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">You become one because people know you'll be honest, respectful, and willing to address difficult situations instead of avoiding them.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Every tough conversation is an opportunity. An opportunity to build trust. Clarify expectations. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Help someone grow. And become a better leader yourself.</span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><hr><h2 id="c60960f8-1684-44e2-964d-f4e852a7f9f5" data-toc-id="c60960f8-1684-44e2-964d-f4e852a7f9f5" style="text-align: left; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Ready to Feel More Confident?</span></h2><p id="c60960f8-1684-44e2-964d-f4e852a7f9f5"></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">If you're preparing for a conversation you've been putting off, the <strong>TOUGH CONVERSATIONS</strong> tool inside Leadership Works will guide you step by step.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">You'll learn how to prepare, stay calm, ask better questions, and create productive conversations that strengthen relationships instead of damaging them.</span></p><p></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">Because the conversation you're avoiding today could be the one that changes everything tomorrow.</span></p></div></div><p>➡️ Want the rest of the steps? Check out our tool <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;"><strong>TOUGH CONVERSATIONS </strong></span>in the app <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://apps.apple.com/se/app/leadership-works/id6747974638"><span style="color: rgb(0, 172, 180);"><strong>website</strong></span></a></p><p>It will guide you through the whole process, every step of the way from start to finish. And over time, you’ll find yourself (almost) looking forward to conversations like these. 😜</p><p>Best of luck!</p><p>/Your Leadership Works Team</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>

Learn how to handle tough conversations with confidence. Discover practical strategies to give feedback, build trust, and lead difficult discussions with clarity and empathy.

The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Probably the One You Need to Have

Difficult conversations are part of every leader's job. Learn how to prepare, communicate with confidence, and turn uncomfortable discussions into opportunities for growth.

A Simple Framework for Tough Conversations

Leadership Is Built One Conversation at a Time

Learn how to grow and scale your online course business using our online course platform. EzyCourse blog is designed to teach you how to create and sell online courses.

The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Probably the One You Need to Have

The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Probably the One You Need to Have

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