Blog

Category: difficult conversations

Is it a good idea to give negative feedback to your boss?

My latest column in The Globe and Mail posted online six weeks ago!  I’m a little late!  Yes, I know, we’re always so excited that we usually send you a notice right way.  But this time, it slipped past us! 

Read More

The right way to communicate unpopular decisions to your staff

Sometimes you will have to make unpopular decisions, choices (or decrees) that will not be liked by your staff; it’s one of the responsibilities of leadership.  Sure, good leaders strive to minimize the fallout of decisions on their people, but

Read More

Respond calmly by “putting a stone in your mouth”

Being able to respond calmly in the face of anger can be difficult.  A client (who is from the Nisga’a nation) recently shared with me this powerful advice from a Nisga’a elder – “Put a stone in your mouth”.  It

Read More

How to communicate sensitive messages

Sometimes you will have to make decisions that will not be liked by your staff; it’s one of the responsibilities of leadership.  While you can’t avoid making unpopular decisions, there are things that you can do to help your team

Read More

The right way to communicate unpopular decisions to your staff

Sometimes you will have to make decisions that will not be liked by your staff; it’s one of the responsibilities of leadership.  Sure, good leaders strive to minimize the fallout on their people, but sometimes doing the right thing for

Read More

How to break bad news to a client

In the world of business, things don’t always go according to plan.  Shipments can get delayed, production lines may break down, and unforeseen events might prevent people from getting the job done.  My latest column for ProfitGuide.com is titled How

Read More