Conversations at work can have a direct effect on workplace harmony and effectiveness

I hope my friend Kim has been following along with these recent blog postings about how to have those necessary but sometimes difficult conversations at work. Kim experienced a good deal of stress and anxiety around having a performance review conversation. I’ve condensed some of the more essential aspects to consider into a list you can refer to when having tough conversations at work.

Top Five Tips for Successful Conversations

Tip #1: Devote the Time
Conversations need time to grow. Research shows that we spend much less time talking to people close to us than we should (or imagine).
Tip #2: Share the Airtime
Make conversations like dancing. They’re a two-way partnership, with neither side dominating.
Tip #3: Stay in Touch
Studies show that many of our ‘difficult’ conversations could be avoided by staying in more regular contact.
Tip #4: Value Differences
Every conversation is a potential learning experience. We can all make our lives richer by understanding the experiences of others. Conversing with someone is like exploring the pages of a book full of valuable knowledge. A technique called ‘The Johari Window’ explores this concept further. Fiore Group Training uses this technique during our Respectful Workplace workshops.
Tip #5: Own Your Thoughts and Feelings
Try to avoid the Blame Game. When talking about your thoughts and feelings, use statements that acknowledge and take responsibility for your own experience. Work with “I” statements and avoid “you” statements.