Month: June 2018

Posted on

Difficult Conversations: Level Up Leadership Tips

Every leader must have those difficult conversations:

  • accountability
  • follow-up
  • firing
  • performance improvement plan

Leaders must pick up the phone and walk into the fog of uncertainty in some conversations. What keeps a leader from doing so – from leading – is themselves. Plain and simple. Feelings of fear, dread, anxiety; self-talk of “I don’t like this,” – “I really don’t want to do this,” these are all about YOU.

Accountability conversations, needing to fire someone for poor performance or character issues, putting someone on a PIP, these have nothing do with you. Of course, you must ask yourself the question: “Did I do enough as a leader to communicate, coach, and resource this person?” But still the conversation must happen. But how?

Some of these you probably already know but we all know that the pressure of life will help us forget what is best and instead go after the expedient.

(1) With difficult news, NEVER send an email. Positive can go in a note, negative needs to be in person.

(2) Present the information clearly and plainly – Avoiding words such as:

  • “I hope you understand” – that’s all about you
  • “Please don’t take this the wrong way” – all about you
  • “I’m so sorry I have to say/do this” – all about you again

Be empathetic, but don’t own the issues that belong with your direct report. Address the actions that are sub-par. Be clear. Be precise. Use concrete examples and not any 3rd party observations.

(3) Then ask questions. Great leaders are great at asking questions.

  • “Does this make sense?”
  • If you are delegating a task to them, ask: “What is your first step?”
  • If firing or downsizing, ask: “How can I be helpful?”
  • “When should we touch base on this again?” – give the other person some sense of control over the situation

Leaders who refuse to walk into the fog of uncertainty will eventually find the situation to be far worse than it was or has to be. Be brave. Nobody likes difficult conversations but leaders learn to have them anyway.

Sign up here to receive Level Up Leadership Tips twice a month

Jeffery A. Raker – Level Up Leadership Coaching

Jeff@levelupleadershipcoach.com

Posted on

Mental Lapses: Level Up Leadership Tips

Cavs v Golden State. For the 4th time in 4 years it’s these two great teams in the NBA Finals. Shot for shot the game comes down to the wire. And then it happens.

A go-ahead free throw is missed by the Cavs. The Cavs JR Smith gets the rebound and spins out of the paint heading to mid-court. Too late for the pass and an attempt. Into overtime and it’s a blow out by Golden State.

JR Smith had a mental lapse that led to a mental lapse by the rest of the team. I saw frustration and anger. The reactions to the event were creating a negative outcome for the Cavs. There was an ejection for a stupid foul. There is a possibility of suspensions for two Cavs if the league reviews the last minute antics.

It’s a classic example of our response to the events of our lives determines the outcome – E + R = O.

You control your response, always and everywhere. Be angry, but choose to channel it for something positive rather than negative.

What will you do when someone on your team – your business team – your sports team – it matters not – when someone has a mental lapse? Make a positive difference with a positive response.

Another way to say it – to (W)In the moment you have to be In the moment. Some were and some were not. It’s your choice.