A Roadmap to Successful “Carefrontational” Conversations
Taking on tough conversations is simply part of life as a CEO. To have a healthy company with a strong culture, you’ll need to clean up a mess or navigate a difficult situation by having a challenging workplace discussion every so often – and maybe more often than you’d like.
The ability to lead these hard conversations effectively is what makes the difference between a good CEO and a great CEO.
One way to approach them is to focus more on care and empathy, less on confrontation. I like to think of them as “carefrontational” conversations. I’m not here to say these conversations will be easy, but it’s possible to make them more productive and supportive when they come from a basis of compassion.
Before your next difficult conversation as a leader, first take a deep breath and then consider these tips:
Think about the other person: Be honest and direct, and consider their needs, concerns, and emotions. Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes allows for greater empathy and also enables you to get more feedback – both verbal and non-verbal.
Address what needs to be addressed: You’ll be able to start fixing issues within your team if you’re open to addressing deficiencies head-on. But also remember not to rush it – sometimes you can give situations some space and time to work themselves out.
Keep refilling your empathy well: In order to go into your day (and into these tough conversations) with empathy and care, you need to take care of yourself and emotionally recharge. If you don’t refill your empathy well, situations will start to unravel even further.
Let hiring be an opportunity: If a hard conversation entails dismissing an employee, deliver the message with care, and then use the moment as a chance to assess the dynamics of the impacted team or department. Move on, learn from it, and hire someone who can make your company better.
I encourage you to check out my book, It’s On You, which launched last month. In the section “Leading With Care,” I write more in depth about these tips and why it’s vital to have an empathetic approach to tough convos. It’s not always easy, but if you’re willing to prioritize the hard talks, it will pay off with a healthier culture.
