Archives: Coach's Corner

You can’t be an effective leader if you’re unwilling to have tough conversations from time to time. Whether you’re giving critical feedback to an underperformer or explaining why the team has been restructured, don’t avoid uncomfortable situations. It’s better to address them head-on. Here’s how: Shift your mindset. Don’t think of it as a difficult conversation; see it as an opportunity. More often than not, tough discussions can actually strengthen personal…

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In a world of instantaneous global connection, one of the most authentic modes of communication still is just listening to someone. But listening can be a challenging skill to master. How can you build your ability? Start by creating space in your day. Block off time in your calendar to reflect on a recent conversation and to prepare for the next one. When a colleague or employee asks for advice,…

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When a customer knows that you can’t afford to lose them, they’ll often try everything in their power to wring out cost savings. But don’t give into the pressure to give them a discount. Change the tenor of the conversation by focusing on the value you create for them. Ask which features or services they’d be willing to give up to get a lower price. Doing so will move the conversation…

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When a conversation turns negative, it’s helpful to have a repertoire of replies at your fingertips. Consider these options: Reframe. Cast the issue in a different light. If someone says, “I don’t want to fight about this,” a useful reframe is, “This is a debate, certainly not a fight.” Rephrase. Rather than letting offensive words pass, suggest replacements. If someone accuses you of coming on too strongly in a meeting, you…

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Let’s be honest: Most meetings are a waste of time, especially if they aren’t well designed. Next time you lead a team meeting, take the time to carefully structure it so that the duration and content align with the objective: Define the work of the team. What specifically do you and the attendees need to accomplish? Divide agenda items into categories. We aren’t good at changing the pace or tenor of a…

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You think you’ve found the right candidate for your open position, so now it’s time to check references. What’s the best way to get the information you need? Start by soliciting feedback from colleagues who interviewed the candidate and asking what their concerns are. Their answers should form the basis of your questions. At the outset of the call, describe the job you’re trying to fill and its challenges. If…

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When leaders need innovative ideas to grow their company, they often turn to their direct reports for guidance. But this group, by design, represents the current operating units and functions, which often have a status quo to defend. So when you need creative thinking, try forming a leadership circle, a diverse, ad hoc team of 15–18 people from throughout the company who can work together for about six months. The circle should focus…

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Many experienced professionals would like to change careers, but the thought of starting over at the bottom is simply too demoralizing — so they stay, sometimes unhappily, in place. But there are ways you can shift jobs or even careers without giving up your hard-earned seniority. Here are three ways to capitalize on your past experience: Leverage the halo effect. Recognize that if you’ve been successful in one field, others are…

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It’s understandable that managers sometimes get frustrated with their direct reports. Maybe someone turned in an assignment late, affecting the timeline for an important project. Or perhaps an employee who has a less-than-stellar track record made a mistake. Even if you’re good about keeping your annoyance to yourself, your negative thoughts are probably increasing your stress levels and damaging your relationship with the employee. To mitigate these feelings, try to…

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When you want to ask your colleagues for a favor — to review your draft presentation, lend some resources to an important project, or even to support you in your local charity run — it feels most efficient to send a group email. But a new study finds that people tend to overestimate the power of their persuasiveness over text and email and underestimate how effective face-to-face requests are. Asking…

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It’s awkward when your boss divulges information they shouldn’t, or gossips about people in other departments. Instead of playing along, steer the conversation toward neutral ground. For example, if your boss complains to you about a colleague’s sour mood, you could say, “It’s a busy time of year. I have a lot of client demands, and the added pressures are stressful.” You can also reframe the comment. If your boss…

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One of your colleagues interrupts you in the middle of a presentation. You pause, address the question, and continue with your point — until they interrupt again. All of us have known colleagues who seem unable to let us finish a sentence. What can you do to stop the rude behavior? Try preempting them. Before you start talking, preview what you plan to say and stipulate when it’s OK to…

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