Wrapping up a two week discussion on Managing People, we had a quick 30-minute chat on preparing for difficult conversations. With Mightybell Founder and CEO Gina Bianchini as our guide, we got right into real situations for having tough conversations with your team. You can find the entire Live Chat Transcript at this link. https://www.ownit.com/communities/ownit/posts/707330

1. Live Chat Recap:
Preparing for Difficult
Conversations
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2. Live Chat Recap: Preparing for Difficult
Conversations
Gina Bianchini is the CEO and
founder of Mightybell, the
service on which the OWN IT
Community is built. She’s a three-
time entrepreneur who’s seen just
about every business scenario
possible, and she’s passionate
about creating trusted networks
of professionals supporting each
other in their craft.

3. Live Chat Recap: Preparing for Difficult
Conversations
In this OWN IT Live
Chat, Gina talked
about real situations
where you might
need to have tough
conversations with
your team.

4. Live Chat Recap: Preparing for Difficult
Conversations
These slides summarize
some of the main ideas
Gina presented. You can
read the full Live Chat
Recap at this link.
h t t p s : / / w w w. o w n i t . c o m /
communities/ownit/posts/
707330

5. Whether you’ve found a need to
make a change in a team member’s
responsibilities, have to address
behavioral issues, or if it’s time to let
someone go, there’s no upside to
hiding or masking bad news.
Delivering Unpleasant News

6. The first step is to decide that the situation
requires action. Sometimes, the best we can
do for the whole team is to let go of people
that aren't contributing. Remember, the rest
of your team probably already knows there
is an issue and sees the same things you do.
Delivering Unpleasant News

7. Recognize your intent.
• Do you care about this team member and
want to set her up for success? If so, share
that upfront.
• Let them know that this is a difficult
conversation for you. Don’t try to pretend or
hide the fact that you have unpleasant news.
Delivering Unpleasant News

8. Plan a Script in Your Head
• Plan how you will open the
conversation and how you think the
conversation will go.
• Anticipate and prepare for the worst
possible reaction you could get.
Delivering Unpleasant News

9. Stick to Your Guns
Once you've delivered the
news, be supportive, but firm
and direct about your decision.
Delivering Unpleasant News

10. Have a partner ahead of and after the
difficult conversation, whether a friend you
can call or a business partner, or even your
peers in Own It. Doing hard things together
makes these conversations a bit easier.
Manage the Stress Through Teamwork and
Preparation

11. Acknowledge the stress and
nervousness. It doesn't go
away if you ignore it.
Manage the Stress Through Teamwork and
Preparation

12. Define the desired result from the
conversation.
• Are you communicating a decision that has
already been made?
• Is there something that they have done that
you want to communicate feedback on?
• Is this something that the person can work on?
Manage the Stress Through Teamwork and
Preparation

13. Funnel your energy into creating and memorizing a
script.
• Practice delivering the direct, tough news or message.
• Decide on the minimum level of detail needed such
that it shows the person respect and support without
becoming a debate. This is SUPER hard, but important.
• Practice specific lines and reactions to a range of
different directions the conversation might take.
Manage the Stress Through Teamwork and
Preparation

14. Having Productive 1-on-1 Meetings
Carve out a set time each week
or every other week where an
employee or member of the
team can talk to you.

15. Having Productive 1-on-1 Meetings
To keep meetings productive,
asked your team members to
prepare a quick agenda of
topics they would like to cover
and share it ahead of time.

16. Having Productive 1-on-1 Meetings
Ask what they need from you
(their boss) or the company to do
their jobs more effectively and/or
what would be their number one
area of concern if they were CEO.

17. Having Productive 1-on-1 Meetings
Use this time to learn, not
direct, and be available to your
team. Regular 1-on-1 meetings
can head off many issues
before they begin.

18. FIND MORE INFORMATION on OWN IT
• Visit OWNIT.com for the full Live Chat recap
including additional information and links.
• Check out the rest of our helpful series.
• Join the Network Dedicated to Small
Business Success.
• Connect with thousands of small business
owners like you with our free app.

19. https://www.ownit.com/communities/ownit/posts/707330
Get more information for your small business on OWN IT.

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