Leadership IgnitedSample

Navigating Crucial Conversations

Crucial conversations – those in which the stakes are high, opinions differ and emotions run strong – are an inevitable reality at work. Done well, these conversations can be a powerful tool that promotes growth and ignites the leadership of all involved. Too often, however, crucial conversations are avoided or not done in love. Yet the gospel gives us both the confidence to have a difficult conversation and the humility to do it in a way that is clearly loving: with patience, kindness, respect and empathy (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Whether it’s mediating between people who don’t see eye-to-eye, delivering the hard truth to someone who isn’t meeting expectations, providing candid feedback, or admitting when we’re wrong, leaders need to have the courage and wisdom to navigate these difficult conversations. 

Consider these simple steps to facilitate crucial conversations that will build people up and not beat them down.

• Begin with the end in mind. Prayerfully determine the outcome you want to produce. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the wisdom, courage and words to speak to achieve that goal (Proverbs 12:18).
• Separate facts from stories. Facts are what actually happened. Stories are the meaning—the why—we assign to those facts. Remember that stories are personal perceptions, and you should speak tentatively when addressing those.
• Create a safe environment that will facilitate open dialogue. Go into the conversation with a sense of curiosity and desire to uncover the facts (Proverbs 20:5). Give people the benefit of the doubt, and lead with questions to gain understanding that will lead to the best possible outcome for everyone.

The more comfortable you and your team become with giving and receiving candid feedback in a timely manner, the more growth, innovation, success and fulfillment you will all experience.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, remind me to pause when the tension strikes. Give me the courage to navigate crucial conversations with wisdom and love to create the best possible outcome for all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.