Essay --

Handling Difficult Conversations Olatunji Sowunmi Walden University January 19th, 2014 Introduction Every now and then, we often find ourselves in different situations where we have to engage in a difficult face-to- face conversation. Most times it involves our loved ones, colleagues or managers. These conversations often revolve around relationships, money, job performances, and various expectations. There are moments as well when we have to engage in such conversations but for one reason or the other we choose not to do so. Perhaps, because we’ve had different experiences of a face to face conversation that didn’t go we way we planned, or maybe because we fear that such conversation would worsen the situation or fear of hurting someone’s feeling. But still, the urge of setting yourself free from that stuck sensation in your chest calls for more reasons to have a one on one talk. This paper will discuss few circumstances I had of a difficult face-to-face conversation, describing specific actions I took to resolve the situation and evaluates whether or not those actions were effective. I will also mention strategies that will help improve my communication skills which will help me in the further to prepare for similar situations. As an Associate Director of Quality Management in a Level 1 Trauma Center and a Teaching Hospital in Queens, NY, I have been working in this field for the past six years and I have had several employees that I’ve supervised and worked with over years. But one of my colleagues Mrs. D an older lady with over twenty years of experience has been a torn in the way I’d like to manage my team. Our responsibilities involve updating the hospital policies and guide... ...m solving, selfish, curious, or angry. Channeling our emotional energy into something meaningful is important to be aware off. Being able to know and understand the purpose of a difficult conversation and putting ourselves in their shoes will help us see things from their point of view. Three techniques that have been identified for handling stressful conversation are clarity, neutrality and temperance, and they are building blocks of all good communication, Weeks, H., (2001). References †¢ Yates, K., & Beech, R. (2006). Six crucial steps to effective global communication. Strategic Communication Management, 10(5), 26-29. †¢ Engels, J., (July, 2007). Delivering Difficult Messages. Tool to tackle dreaded conversations. P50-52. †¢ Weeks, H., (2001). Taking the Stress Out Of Stressful Conversations. Harvard Business Review. P114-119.