With the beginning of 2023, professionals are scrambling to understand the new demands and trends in the market. As employees, we know that to survive, we are required to grow personally and have the capability to take calculated actions professionally. Skill development is a significant factor in the business sector today. And as professionals approaching middle age, we will have to compete with the next generation which are equipped with technical skills and other communication abilities that can pose stiff competition. The following blog will give an overview of the importance of mastering crucial conversations in the workplace and how to navigate difficult situations with the help of your communication skills.

Crucial conversations at the workplace

50% of people globally feel that the ability to influence and negotiate are the most valuable skills and should be developed in a company. 24%, according to Statista, believe that initiating difficult conversations is a crucial skill that will increase productivity.

Having effective crucial conversations at the workplace will lead to success. As a manager, it is up to you to understand your team members' motivations and their productive streak to encourage them further toward development. Scholars have pointed out that four main types of conversation are essential for the workplace.

1. Conversations about Ideation – These conversations are about sharing ideas and strategies with your team members. These are also about understanding the group dynamics and if people are in tune with the objectives and the vision and mission plans of the future.
    
2. Knowledge - sharing conversations are mainly about spreading awareness and sharing information regarding projects or other professional matters. It is to ensure that the team members are all in tune with what is required and have clarity regarding their roles.
    
3. Performance review - These are some of the most challenging conversations with your employer or team member. It is about analyzing an employee's performance over a couple of months and then giving them feedback that is encouraging and helps them to take accountability for their actions.
    
4. Closure conversations – This is about understanding the journey towards the end of a project or professional work. These conversations provide a support system for positive experiences and help employees understand the different successes and failures while trying to reach the goal. 

All four of these are crucial conversations required in any working environment. As a leader, you must understand the different cues and styles to help you navigate these conversations toward a productive end. 
 

Tips on how to handle difficult conversations at the workplace

1. Delete the word ‘difficult’ from your mind – If you initiate a conversation thinking it would be difficult, then it’ll probably be difficult. Therefore, don’t think negatively about any conversation before starting it. Take a positive outlook and dive into the conversation equipped with information. Suppose you are trying to provide feedback to an employee who has not been performing up to par. Think of this conversation as a constructive talk about development.
    
2. Don’t forget to breathe - To get through crucial conversations, you must be calm and have your thoughts together. Take regular breaks if needed and re-focus your attention on what you’re trying to accomplish. If you have an employee who has suddenly come to you for help and it is a difficult conversation, ask him to come back after a couple of minutes while you drink a cup of coffee and gather your thoughts.
    
3. Plan and be armed - Make sure you have planned out your conversation and have all the information that requires you to ask difficult questions and provide explanations.
    
4. Empathetic and encouraging – Mastering crucial conversations is about motivating the person and changing their behavior by the end of the talk.

Conclusion

Use effective tools and information while conducting meetings in the workplace. Being a good negotiator is all about having the ability to communicate ideas. Take training and practice as much as possible to master the ability to communicate clearly.