I always feel a little anxious when I have to have a talk with someone about something high-stakes, sensitive or controversial. I worry a lot about how they will feel, which isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but it can derail me from focusing on me. I've learned over the years that my demeanor and mindset--not to mention my intention--do influence how the other person reacts. I might not be able to keep them from a negative reaction, but I can usually mitigate it.
Here are some articles to review before your next uncomfortable talk:
- Tough Talks: The Art of the Difficult Conversation: This is a round-up I wrote for Monster.com that offers tips from a range of experts
- Communicating in High-Stress Situations: This guest post is loaded with sage advice from my friend, and master communicator, Marty Clarke
Related Content:
- More of my articles on careers/job search for Monster.com
- Kendra Turner on how to bounce back after a set-back or failure
Image from Flickr Commons: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3392/3253307018_2d0e2aca49.jpg.