No good leader avoids difficult conversations, but it is easier to structure the dialogue around six stages and some simple ground rules. This method ensures that the conversation doesn’t become circular and that new perspectives on the problem emerge, bringing you closer to a solution. Read on for inspiration.
Workload too great, high levels of sickness, absence, or lack of cooperation in the workplace; it can be challenging to discuss workplace problems to make everyone feel heard while contributing to constructive change. Therefore, conversations about problems should be managed to create new opportunities and gain an understanding of each other’s perspectives, so that the difficult conversations don’t drift off in unhelpful directions. As a manager, using a tested conversation structure will give you more room in the dialogue to talk about difficulties constructively, and benefit all parties.
The so-called dialogue model is well suited for discussing problems in your team or department. The model ensures that the dialogue is guided so that employees don’t go off-topic. Instead, you work together through a set of perspectives on the challenge or issue you want to tackle.
The dialogue is structured around six set phases and is supported by six simple rules for the conversation. The phases should be discussed together, with about 15 minutes allocated to each phase.
Phase 1: Establish the topic
Phase 2: What’s going well and is relevant to this topic?
Phase 3: What challenges need to be addressed regarding the topic?
Phase 4: What opportunities are there concerning the topic?
Phase 5: What agreements can we reach?
Phase 6: What went well in terms of this dialogue?
The model requires that you, as the meeting leader, manage expectations. You need to tell participants that they’re invited to a joint session where you will discuss a specific and set topic. The session will be similar to a brainstorming session, with all participants contributing while following a clear dialogue structure and providing several views on a topic.
Following these six phases, you will know how to progress with the conversation and have the confidence to deal with discussions and any disagreements that may emerge.
In addition to the six dialogue stages, it’s important to establish ground rules before the conversation starts. All participants should know the ground rules before the session begins:
When you know the six phases and the rules of the game, difficult conversations are a little easier for you and the other participants in the dialogue.
*Grønbæk and Pors, 2017, Dafolo Forlag
An alternative version of the article was previously published on lederweb.dk
