We all postpone difficult conversations, mostly out of fear that we will say the wrong thing or the outcome will be different than what we want. So we ponder, and replay it over and over in our heads. I was recently coaching a young woman on my team on how to deal with a personnel issue with the President of the company. She inherited this individual when she took the role as head of marketing for the brand. He has proven to be a challenge for every one of his former bosses, and the issues are always the same. So we talked through the actual issues, but then I offered up some unsolicited advice on setting the tone of the meeting.
- Recruit allies if you can. Go to a peer who’s been working with the President for a long time and knows the history and the best way to work with him/her. This step helps avoid a pitfall as well as helps build a relationship with one of your peers who has the most influence with the President.
- Look professional. Dress the part. Look smart with the right clothing choices.
- Be prepared. Sounds so simple, and so important to success. This means knowing your points, having your data, and practicing your presentation out loud so you can be succinct and fluid.
- Be calm and monotone. Women in particular need to focus on the monotone, matter of fact voice. No emotion.
- Sit on your hands or clasp them. Just be sure you are not waving them about.
- Don’t start out by apologizing, i.e. “I’m sorry to bring this up….” or “You may not like what I am about to say”…and any and all versions of that talk track. Have you ever, ever, ever heard a guy utter those words?
- Be confident but not aggressive or confrontational or defensive. This is part of the preparation and practice before you have the conversation. If you practice what you’re going to say out loud enough times, it will become automatic and thus you’ll achieve a calm and unemotional presentation of your facts.
- Listen and do NOT interrupt when he/she responds. You can take notes when they speak in order to be sure you address whatever issue is raised.
Good luck. Follow these simple steps and you are very likely to succeed.
Site Title 