The document outlines the importance and strategies for having difficult conversations, emphasizing the need to confront issues directly for relief and resolution. Tips for success include preparing, focusing on behavior rather than personal attacks, and maintaining a positive approach. It also provides a plan for structuring these conversations, including setting, key points, and follow-up actions.

1. Difficult Conversations
Or Tackling the Elephant in the Room

3. Why do we need to have difficult
conversations?

4. At Some Point You
Just Pull Off the
Plaster, And It Hurts,
But Then It’s Over
and You’re Relieved

5. Tips for Success
1. Conquer your fear – no one likes conflict.
2. Do your homework – prepare
3. Make it about behaviour not the person (performance).
4. Be Positive – don’t just say what is wrong; say what and how it can be
improved.
5. Choose words carefully.
6. Find the right setting.
7. Acknowledge, listen, and pay attention.
8. Be consistent.
9. Follow Up.

6. T.H.I.N.K
True
Helpful
Inspiring
Necessary
Kind

7. Plan, but don’t script…

8. 5 minute …..Difficult Conversation Plan
Why?
What is the general reason? What happens if it is not
addressed?
Evidence?
What is some specific evidence that is there is a problem? The
more specific the better?
When and Where?
When are you going to have the conversation; where are you
going to have the conversation?
Warm Up?
How are you going to signpost that this conversation is
coming?
Before During
Plan:
What are your key points; what are you going to say
in order
Questions:
What questions might the other person have?
After
Follow Up
Actions:
Potential Escalation?
Success Criteria: