Acting It Out Instead of Talking It Out
Crucial conversations in the workplace are critical to success and a healthy culture. When truths need to be shared but they are not, negative energy builds and we start talking about others instead of to the personwhere the communication breakdown occurred. When we choose not to talk to the person where the misunderstanding has occurred we have stepped into the place of Acting it Out! Or, another way we Act it Out is by avoidance – we avoid the person, we become sarcastic and start picking at another person for no apparent reason…passive-aggressive behavior! This solves nothing and creates an unsafe culture for everyone. Secret conversations (talking about others behind their backs) begin and they spread like a virus and most of what is “passed on” to others are non-truths. Consequently, drama and negativity spread like a wildfire! Preparing for Crucial Conversations What to do? As a leader you must think carefully through the what, who and how of a crucial conversation: Know what crucial conversation needs to be had: what is the communication breakdown that needs to be cleared up? Decide who is involved with the communication breakdown that needs to be a part of this conversation. Who owns this conversation? Who is feeling misunderstood? Think about how this conversation needs to be handled, the best way …