Wondering how best to communicate your workplace grievance? Here\u2019s why you should be having the conversation, how you\u2019re going to get through it, and how you\u2019ll make it work for you once all is said and done.<\/p>\n
Why is it important to have difficult conversations at work?<\/strong><\/h5>\nConflict is inevitable. According to Conflict Tango, 85% of professionals worldwide stated that they experience conflict at work firsthand.<\/p>\n
Knowing how to effectively manage this conflict through communication is challenging, but mastering the skill is going set you apart in the professional environment.<\/a><\/p>\nSolving problems colleagues may have with you, each other, or daily processes, keeps the workplace environment pleasant and productive. No one wants to work in a place where they feel unhappy or unfairly treated. Don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re ready to quit to speak up.<\/p>\n
Your ability to communicate and navigate a difficult conversation will result in happier team members, working towards the same goal.<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/People-Difficult-Conversations-2.png\")
<\/p>\n
Do these 5 things before sitting down to have difficult conversations<\/strong><\/h5>\n1. Let go of emotion – even if that means waiting.<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you approach difficult conversations with a colleague while you\u2019re feeling angry, upset, or stressed, chances are that your decisions will be based on how you feel rather than on the facts of the situation.<\/p>\n
2. Think about what you want to say and then practice how you\u2019re going to say it.<\/strong><\/p>\nMost of the time, it\u2019s not what you do, but how you do it that matters. Your tone of voice is important, especially when you\u2019re telling someone something they don\u2019t want to hear. Practice is the key to effective communication because you\u2019ll feel certain you\u2019re able to communicate everything you need to and you\u2019ll exude a sense of control over the situation.<\/p>\n
3. Open your mind.<\/strong><\/p>\nAccept the fact that you might be in the wrong, and don\u2019t make assumptions about the intent of your colleague\u2019s behaviour. If you\u2019ve already made up your mind about what happened, you\u2019re unlikely to resolve the conflict.<\/p>\n
4. Monitor your body language.<\/strong><\/p>\nActions speak louder than words. If you\u2019re leaning back in your chair and looking down on your colleague, the impression you\u2019ll give is far more negative than if you were leaning forwards and paying obvious attention to what they have to say.<\/p>\n
5. Think about how it made you feel at the time.<\/strong><\/p>\nPlace emphasis on the impact of the person\u2019s behaviour on you, and keep to the facts. Frame the situation, describe their behaviour within that situation, and tell them how that behaviour affected you personally.<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/People-Difficult-Conversations-1.png\")
<\/p>\n
What to say in a difficult conversation<\/strong><\/h5>\nYou\u2019re prepared to start the difficult conversation but what do you say to ensure that the problem is resolved with as few egos bruised as possible?<\/p>\n
Try starting your conversation with one of the following lines:<\/p>\n
I\u2019m feeling uneasy about what just happened and I\u2019d like if you could help me make sense of it.<\/em><\/p>\nI\u2019ve been thinking a lot about [situation] and I\u2019d appreciate it if I could get your point of view.<\/em><\/p>\nI think we could learn a lot from each other about [situation]. Do you have time today to talk about it?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nOnce the conversation is underway, make sure you steer clear of words and phrases that encourage the other person to get defensive. The aim of this conversation is to use communication skills to find a solution.<\/p>\n
Swap out some harsh phrases for solution-orientated words:<\/p>\n
Solving problems colleagues may have with you, each other, or daily processes, keeps the workplace environment pleasant and productive. No one wants to work in a place where they feel unhappy or unfairly treated. Don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re ready to quit to speak up.<\/p>\n
Your ability to communicate and navigate a difficult conversation will result in happier team members, working towards the same goal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Do these 5 things before sitting down to have difficult conversations<\/strong><\/h5>\n1. Let go of emotion – even if that means waiting.<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you approach difficult conversations with a colleague while you\u2019re feeling angry, upset, or stressed, chances are that your decisions will be based on how you feel rather than on the facts of the situation.<\/p>\n
2. Think about what you want to say and then practice how you\u2019re going to say it.<\/strong><\/p>\nMost of the time, it\u2019s not what you do, but how you do it that matters. Your tone of voice is important, especially when you\u2019re telling someone something they don\u2019t want to hear. Practice is the key to effective communication because you\u2019ll feel certain you\u2019re able to communicate everything you need to and you\u2019ll exude a sense of control over the situation.<\/p>\n
3. Open your mind.<\/strong><\/p>\nAccept the fact that you might be in the wrong, and don\u2019t make assumptions about the intent of your colleague\u2019s behaviour. If you\u2019ve already made up your mind about what happened, you\u2019re unlikely to resolve the conflict.<\/p>\n
4. Monitor your body language.<\/strong><\/p>\nActions speak louder than words. If you\u2019re leaning back in your chair and looking down on your colleague, the impression you\u2019ll give is far more negative than if you were leaning forwards and paying obvious attention to what they have to say.<\/p>\n
5. Think about how it made you feel at the time.<\/strong><\/p>\nPlace emphasis on the impact of the person\u2019s behaviour on you, and keep to the facts. Frame the situation, describe their behaviour within that situation, and tell them how that behaviour affected you personally.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What to say in a difficult conversation<\/strong><\/h5>\nYou\u2019re prepared to start the difficult conversation but what do you say to ensure that the problem is resolved with as few egos bruised as possible?<\/p>\n
Try starting your conversation with one of the following lines:<\/p>\n
I\u2019m feeling uneasy about what just happened and I\u2019d like if you could help me make sense of it.<\/em><\/p>\nI\u2019ve been thinking a lot about [situation] and I\u2019d appreciate it if I could get your point of view.<\/em><\/p>\nI think we could learn a lot from each other about [situation]. Do you have time today to talk about it?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nOnce the conversation is underway, make sure you steer clear of words and phrases that encourage the other person to get defensive. The aim of this conversation is to use communication skills to find a solution.<\/p>\n
Swap out some harsh phrases for solution-orientated words:<\/p>\n
If you approach difficult conversations with a colleague while you\u2019re feeling angry, upset, or stressed, chances are that your decisions will be based on how you feel rather than on the facts of the situation.<\/p>\n
2. Think about what you want to say and then practice how you\u2019re going to say it.<\/strong><\/p>\n Most of the time, it\u2019s not what you do, but how you do it that matters. Your tone of voice is important, especially when you\u2019re telling someone something they don\u2019t want to hear. Practice is the key to effective communication because you\u2019ll feel certain you\u2019re able to communicate everything you need to and you\u2019ll exude a sense of control over the situation.<\/p>\n 3. Open your mind.<\/strong><\/p>\n Accept the fact that you might be in the wrong, and don\u2019t make assumptions about the intent of your colleague\u2019s behaviour. If you\u2019ve already made up your mind about what happened, you\u2019re unlikely to resolve the conflict.<\/p>\n 4. Monitor your body language.<\/strong><\/p>\n Actions speak louder than words. If you\u2019re leaning back in your chair and looking down on your colleague, the impression you\u2019ll give is far more negative than if you were leaning forwards and paying obvious attention to what they have to say.<\/p>\n 5. Think about how it made you feel at the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n Place emphasis on the impact of the person\u2019s behaviour on you, and keep to the facts. Frame the situation, describe their behaviour within that situation, and tell them how that behaviour affected you personally.<\/p>\n You\u2019re prepared to start the difficult conversation but what do you say to ensure that the problem is resolved with as few egos bruised as possible?<\/p>\n Try starting your conversation with one of the following lines:<\/p>\n I\u2019m feeling uneasy about what just happened and I\u2019d like if you could help me make sense of it.<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about [situation] and I\u2019d appreciate it if I could get your point of view.<\/em><\/p>\n I think we could learn a lot from each other about [situation]. Do you have time today to talk about it?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Once the conversation is underway, make sure you steer clear of words and phrases that encourage the other person to get defensive. The aim of this conversation is to use communication skills to find a solution.<\/p>\n Swap out some harsh phrases for solution-orientated words:<\/p>\n<\/p>\nWhat to say in a difficult conversation<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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