| Why Tough Conversations Are Tough July 28th, 2024 by Bill Boyajian |
We avoid tough conversations in business as much as we can. But when we can’t hide from them anymore, we need to face them. The good news is, there’s a process you can use in most situations that works extremely well. First, set a specific time and neutral place to have your one on one. Stay calm and composed. It’s a conversation, not a confrontation. Second, start the dialogue with a check-in to see how things are going with the individual. Small talk leads to bigger things. Third, be respectful, and when you speak, do so to share your thoughts with an aim toward being heard instead of creating defensiveness. Fourth, listen intently and make sure the individual knows it. Show understanding, not judgment. Fifth, make sure your points are heard and understood. Do so with sincerity and honestly. Finally, wrap up next steps with specifics that are reasonable and crystal clear. Gain agreement on moving forward, and simply move on. Perhaps most importantly, conversations don’t have to be won. They need to be shared with openness and candor. Do this well and you’ll be on your way to conquering tough conversations. Tags: Advice, Business Development, Business Tips, Confrontation, Conversation, Counsel, Developing Leaders, Judgement, Knowledge, Leadership Excellence, Leadership Skills, Personal Development, Positive Reinforcement, Success, The Mind of a Leader |
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“I needed help orchestrating a succession plan for our business. I had heard that Bill Boyajian specialized in assisting owners to transition their business to the next generation. He knows how to bridge the generation gap and deliver what each needs to hear. I would recommend Bill to any business owner who needs advice on succession planning from a trusted outside professional.”
–Charles Denaburg,
Managing Partner,
Levy’s Fine Jewelry
Birmingham, AL
"Our family needed some guidance on business transition and succession planning. We asked Bill Boyajian to help us because we knew we could trust him to tell us what we needed to hear. Bill became a valuable resource for our company and our entire family. He has the ability to meet each of us where we’re at and it has served us very well."
–Ceylon Leitzel
Leitzel Fine Jewelry
Hershey & Myerstown, PA
“We needed a plan to transition our business to a non-family member and we asked Bill Boyajian to help us. His experience in the area has really paid off, but we didn’t expect the added value of putting us together with a financial planner who helped organize our retirement needs. We now have the fundamentals to transition our business successfully, and we have Bill to thank for it.”
–Ernie & Debbie Cummings
Kizer-Cummings Jewelers
Lawrence, KS
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