WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO SAY IT ANATOMY OF A GOOD CONVERSATION Going into an employee conversation with a clear structure and purpose is instrumental to emerging with a positive experience, shared understanding, and road map for moving forward. This is true whether the conversations are planned and scheduled, or simply a spontaneous check-in. It can be stressful for employees to receive unexpected or unstructured criticism. A good structure and agenda for your interaction – whether in a text-based exchange or a real-time conversation — will let you and your employees know what to expect, and feel more comfortable and in control of situations. 1. Prepare the conversation according to each employee’s needs 2. Communicate intent clearly 3. Prepare an agenda or checklist to guide the conversation 4. Provide context and examples 5. De昀椀ne your expectations 6. Create space for listening 7. Recommend next steps 8. Document agreed-upon takeaways and actions 9. Track ongoing progress 10. Celebrate success THE MANAGER’S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GREAT CONVERSATIONS 20