Fearless Leadership: Why Tough Talks Are Essential for Personal and Professional Development
"A culture that encourages tough conversations fosters innovation, trust, and continuous improvement." – Unknown
I still can’t remember exactly what I said at the lunch table that day. You know those moments when you’re trying to be funny, and you’re not quite sure if it lands? That’s where I found myself one day earlier in my career, I was sitting at the large oval table in our office area, surrounded by colleagues from my team and the Commercial Planning crew. We gathered there daily, a bunch of misfits with a mix of funny stories, business ideas, and problem-solving sessions.
As we were wrapping up our lunch and cleaning up the mess, Mike, my former boss and now colleague, called me over. “Hey, can we talk for a second?” he asked. I followed him into his office, just a few steps away from our lunch spot. The moment he closed his door, I knew something was up. Sitting across from Mike, I couldn’t help but recall what had happened earlier at the table. It hit me that my attempt at humor might not have been as professional as I thought.
Mike wasted no time getting to the point. “Remember what you said at lunch today?” he asked. And there it was – the twinge of unease I had brushed off so quickly. He continued, “How do you think that comment came across?” I knew deep down it wasn’t the most professional thing to say, so I admitted it.
Then came the unexpected part. Mike leaned in and said, “You have so much potential, and I know you have big aspirations. You wouldn’t want a comment like that to undermine how people see you, right?” I nodded in agreement. He wrapped up by telling met he wanted to address it right away because he knew I would want to now if something could impact me. To this day, I remember that conversation vividly. It wasn’t an easy talk, but it meant the world to me that someone cared enough to have it.
Tough talks are never a walk in the park
“Constructive feedback is the breakfast of champions.” – Ken Blanchard
Let’s face it – difficult conversations, those tough talks, are never a walk in the park. You can’t predict how the other person will react. But here’s the thing: as leaders, it’s our responsibility to have these conversations with team members. Avoiding them only does them a disservice. Constructive feedback is a vital part of our job.
Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. Wouldn’t you want to know if something you’re doing is affecting your performance or how others perceive you at work? I bet you would. I know I do.
Unfortunately, tough talks often go unspoken. Elephant-sized issues linger in the room, left unsaid in countless workplaces and homes around the world. Managers avoid addressing problems head on, resulting in employees getting fired or leaving because they didn’t receive the feedback they needed.
Closing Thoughts
"Avoiding tough talks only prolongs the problem and hinders potential growth." – Unknown
We can’t let the “Aoidor Problem Monster” take control of our workplaces. We need courageous leaders – people like Mike - who care enough to pull their colleagues aside and address concerns. We also need employees who have the courage to speak up and offer constructive feedback to their leaders. But above all, we need leaders who embrace their responsibility to lead and fearlessly engage in these crucial conversations with their teams.
As leaders who genuinely care, it’s our duty to address issues as soon as they arise. Let’s be brave and stop avoiding these tough talks. By doing so, we can tackle the “Avoidor” before it wreaks havoc on our workplaces and homes. Together, let’s create an environment where growth, understanding, and progress thrive.
Is your team struggling to navigate tough conversations?
At Leadership In Focus, we understand the importance of addressing difficult topics head-on. That's why we've developed a specialized "Tough Talks" module as part of our comprehensive "Problem Monsters" leadership development program. Our team of experienced professionals can work closely with your organization to create a tailored program that equips your team with the skills and confidence to engage in constructive dialogue and unleash their leadership potential.
If you're interested in learning more about our "Tough Talks" module and how we can support your team's growth, please reach out to us at Contact@leadershipinfocus.ca. We would be delighted to provide you with further information and discuss how we can customize our program to meet your unique needs
About the Author:
Kurtis Graham, the Founder of Leadership in Focus, has over 23 years of progressive leadership experience in sales and marketing, working for Fortune 500 organizations across Canada and internationally in Europe and Southeast Asia. With a passion for driving impactful change in the world of leadership development, Kurtis is always seeking new ways to expand his leadership skills and give back.
