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Key Takeaways Effective management requires strong communication skills, including the ability to handle difficult conversations with transparency and empathy.
Avoiding tough discussions can lead to decreased morale, productivity decline and lost revenue, which is why you need to address issues head-on.
Investing in communications training and emotional intelligence can empower managers to foster a positive work environment and enhance team dynamics.
When we think of what makes a successful manager, we often think of those with a clear vision to guide their team toward strategic goals, who have the ability to inspire and empower employees and who possess strong organizational and time-management skills and effective problem-solving abilities, are confident decision-makers, are transparent, have integrity and are accountable. Successful managers are also those who have developed strong communication and interpersonal skills, actively listen, demonstrate emotional intelligence and are empathetic, creating a positive, supportive and collaborative work environment.
An integral part of having strong communication and interpersonal skills is the ability to engage in difficult conversations rather than shying away from addressing problems and issues head-on, even when they are uncomfortable. We often find ourselves dodging or suppressing issues in our personal lives, which can have a high emotional cost.
In a high-performance company, managers who avoid confronting what needs to be said or done can cost the business millions in missed opportunities, revenue and inefficiencies.
Related: These Are the 10 Most Difficult Conversations to Have in the Workplace — And How to Handle Them
What keeps managers from leveling with employees?
Most managers avoid confrontation because they feel uncomfortable speaking the truth. It’s awkward. They are afraid of how the person will react and if the person will become defensive. Often, they don’t know how to approach the matter or lack the confidence or skills to talk about a sensitive or difficult situation. There’s also a bit of wishful or magical thinking going on, where managers believe the situation will resolve itself, so they take a wait-and-see approach.
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