Choose the Right Place to Have a Sensitive Discussion

 

Here is another valuable Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review. To sign up for a free subscription to any/all HBR newsletters, please click here.

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When you’re trying to resolve a conflict with a colleague, the venue will have an effect on whether you both feel able to speak freely, express any emotions, and reach a resolution.

o Select a location where you’ll both be comfortable. Ideally, you want the conversation to happen face-to-face and in private.

o Maybe you’ll meet in a neutral conference room or at a nearby coffee shop.

o Or you might take a walk outside together for a change of scenery.

o Avoid choosing a place that gives you or your coworker an advantage. Inviting someone into your office puts you in a power position, for example, because it’s your space and you’re the one sitting behind a desk.

o And when choosing a conference room, think about who’s in the adjacent rooms. Sometimes walls are thinner than you think.

Adapted from the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo

To check out that HBR article and join the discussion, please click here.

Here’s a direct link to dozens of other Management Tips.

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