Richard Nixon told us he wasn’t a crook. Bill Clinton said, “I never had sexual relations with that woman.” Baseball star Jose Canseco admitted to using anabolic steroids. John Edwards had an affair during the Democratic primary races. And Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC) disappeared from his post for five days with no word of where he was. Upon returning, he […]
Straight Talk
Difficult Conversations Require Creative Strategies
I presented a tele seminar last month on dealing with difficult employees from which I received several questions. Here’s one I thought interesting: Dear Larry, On Wednesday, March 11, I attended your Webinar on Handling Difficult Conversations. I have a question for you on handling a difficult conversation with a direct report of mine. He […]
Skinny vs Fat Seats Gives Clues For Conducting Difficult Conversations
I’m an avid cyclist – not very good or very fast, but I like the exercise – and the fresh air you get from riding everyday is invigorating. Yesterday, after my standard 12-mile jaunt, I stopped for coffee at Starbucks. Sitting at one of the umbrella-covered tables was a group of men about my age. […]
Taking Difficult Conversations “Seriously”
In his classic business book, “Up The Organization,” Avis CEO
Robert Townsend described how he toured all the Avis offices
where he asked employees what they thought he should do to turn
around the company, which at the time was struggling. He noticed