TOUGH TALKS Tough Talks A GUIDE TO HANDLING THE MOST DIFFICULT BUSINESS CONVERSATIONS
"Experience is valuable only if it's imbued with meaning from which one can draw salient conclusions. Otherwise, experience becomes imprisoning." -- Barry McCaffrey, general
Agenda Introduce Practice Review Tough Talks
Key Message Tough Talks forge relationships that invigorate business performance and promote individual and collective wellbeing. They directly address the social, emotional and educational needs of individuals and are an essential skill for all business leaders. Tough Talks
What is a Tough Talk? Tough Talks A conversation between two or more people that addresses an important gap in behavior or performance and ends with clear commitments to win-win solutions.
When Do I Need to Have a Tough Talk? Emotionally upset Unsettled conscience Impacted behavior Acting out Tough Talks When the current state of an important relationship is impending performance and/or disturbing your peace.
Won’t It Just Work Itself Out? Tough Talks takes sacrifice and risk to overcome resistance: Tough Talks Out of my comfort zone I’m Afraid I feel vulnerable There are too many obstacles I don’t know how
MANKIND Our company is now able to perform at a higher frequency and help the world. Tough Talks Tough Talks Bring Significant Rewards YOU I feel engaged I have closer and more collaborative relationships. I gained new capabilities and confidence. They see me as a leader YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE I made a difference. We addressed core issues and grew from it. We worked through it easier than I thought we would. I won the respect of my peers
Tough Talks Fear Separation Personal and Social Power Tough Talks Bring Significant Rewards Low Performance Confidence Connection Powerlessness Exceptional Performance
Our role as leaders is to challenge the inequality and command/control myths that exist in our companies and in ourselves rather than socialize everyone to accept the status quo. Tough Talks
Tough Talk Values Tough Talks Personal Responsibility Resiliency Emotional Intelligence (social- emotional awareness)
1. Engaging in Tough Talks is a habit not a talent Tough Talks 2. Look at everyone as a growth stock 3. Each person is a teacher and a student 4. Mutual respect and mutual purpose is the foundation of success 5. You are not your evaluation of yourself, nor are you the evaluation of them
Tough Talks “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.” - Abraham Lincoln