Complex conversations are an inherent aspect of working in HR. Here are some tips you can employ to navigate them more smoothly.
HR practitioners are no strangers to complex conversations in the workplace, whether that be facilitating performance management reviews, or investigating conflict between employees.
But as familiar workplace rules and expectations are rewritten – businesses are operating in increasingly polarised environments and employees are bringing their authentic selves to work – HR will need to be prepared for even more potentially challenging and complex discussions.
Nearly two-thirds of employees want to be able to have hard conversations at work, according to recent research from the Achievers Workforce Institute. However, a third don’t feel safe having these conversations with their managers.
It’s crucial that HR practitioners embed mechanisms for trust and psychological safety before these conversations can happen.
In the infographic below, HRM shares tips to help HR and managers approach complex conversations, ensure productive outcomes for everyone involved and maintain healthy relationships afterwards.
Navigating complex conversations
DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE INFOGRAPHIC HERE.
Further enhance your communication skills and manage complex conversations with ease and influence with AHRI’s short course. Learn more here.
This is so helpful as a resource HR can share with people managers. Thank you.
Me too please.
While I agree this is great advice, I remind everyone that sometimes even this approach fails to achieve a successful outcome. For example, ‘leading with curiosity’ can sometimes lead down an unintended rabbit hole. Equally, “treating it as a discovery session” can also lead down the same or another an unintended rabbit hole. If you find yourself in such a situation, my advice is to adopt a different strategy. Focus on the business problem being caused by the inappropriate/unacceptable behaviour, and develop a plan to ensure behaviour change occurs. This approach may require a ‘tough love’ approach rather than a… Read more »
Would also love this emailed.
May I please have a copy of this infographic?