You know you need to talk with an employee about something. Maybe they’re missing deadlines. Maybe something happened with a client or coworker. Maybe you’ve noticed a pattern in their performance that needs to change. You’ve decided you’re going to address it. Good. But here’s where leaders sometimes get themselves into trouble: we finally work up the courage to have … Read More

Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t wake up in the morning hoping we’ll have a difficult conversation today. Whether it’s giving constructive feedback to an employee, raising a concern with a colleague, or addressing a problem that’s been quietly growing for weeks, our first instinct is often to avoid it. I’ve certainly been there. The trouble is, avoiding the … Read More

You’ve checked your facts. You’ve decided that a conversation really is needed. You’ve figured out when and where you’re going to meet, and you’ve even thought about how you’re going to invite the employee to talk. Now comes the part we’ve been preparing for: actually having the conversation. This is often the moment when even experienced leaders start second-guessing themselves. … Read More

“I don’t think I’m ready for this.” If you’ve ever had that thought after stepping into a leadership role, you’re in very good company. In fact, it’s probably one of the most common stories I hear from nonprofit leaders. Someone gets promoted because they’re great at their job. They’re asked to supervise a practicum student, cover for a manager who’s … Read More

Organizations spend a lot of money teaching people how to communicate better. We teach employees how to give feedback, resolve conflict, raise concerns and have courageous conversations. Then everyone goes back to work and, six months later, not much has changed. But, Why? The problem may not be the training. People can learn excellent communication skills and still choose not … Read More