Raise your hand if you love awkward, sometimes-painful conversations. We would bet money that every hand in the room is down. Nobody is clamoring for a tense encounter — and typically, we do everything in our power to avoid them. We ignore tension points, brush issues under the rug, and pretend that we’re “fine” so that we don’t have to navigate that sticky discussion and communicate.
But here’s the deal: Having open and honest (and yes, sometimes awkward) conversations with colleagues is the only way to move forward.
Our company is run by humans. So is yours. And guess what? Humans hurt each other. They annoy each other. They do things that are frustrating or problem-creating or insensitive. And, as humans, we react accordingly. We get mad and sad and fed up and tired.
This is unavoidable.
What is avoidable, however, is the fallout. The festering. The one annoying thing that turns into a huge company issue. The one moment of hurt that causes long-term tension in a relationship.
The way you avoid the big, hot mess is by communicating.
Because, spoiler, people can’t read your mind. You can’t expect your colleagues, partner, or boss to intuit what you’re thinking — you have to be brave and tell them.
Communicate early and often. Be honest. Be tactful. Be kind.
What thought spirals have you spinning? What relationships feel tense? Where do you need to clear the air and communicate? Make this the week that you step up, get bold, and initiate the conversation. It’s time to clear the air and move forward.
