HAVING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS While nobody likes these, sometimes you will need to initiate conversations with employees that will be challenging to deliver or receive. Technology can be a helpful tool in facilitating these conversations by making them more objective and constructive. 8 WAYS TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS EASIER Establish a regular cadence of check-ins If you are meeting regularly with your reports, you will be less likely to blindside them with information they are not expecting to hear. Instead, every check-in will be a continuation of an ongoing conversation. Prepare for the conversation Look back through past conversations, metrics, goals, and feedback to ensure you have a clear, objective, and fact-based perspective on the conversation you are about to have. Ensure that what you say and how you say it is attuned to the needs of the employee you are about to speak with and how they best receive constructive criticism. Set and communicate expectations in advance Use your technology platform to communicate your meeting agenda and give employees a heads-up on the topics you will discuss. Schedule plenty of time and dedicated space for the conversation. Simply preparing employees for conversations can help to avoid a defensive posture and give them time to consider the topics on the table. Be factual, calm, direct, and clear Use your platform to articulate what you want to say in advance so that you do not become 昀氀ustered, pushed o昀昀 track, or fraught with emotion, but rather can clearly articulate in a way you can both refer to later. THE MANAGER’S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GREAT CONVERSATIONS 22