..... change your perspective.
Difficult conversations are, well… difficult.
Why? Often, because we feel cornered - trapped by what was or wasn’t said, done or not done, or simply worried about the consequences that might be lurking just over the horizon.
So, how can we prepare for these tough conversations?
Step one: influence yourself first.
Preparation starts with us. One of the most effective ways to get ready is by shifting our perspective - how we see the situation - because our perspective directs our efforts. It’s the rudder of the ship, steering our approach to even the most challenging conversation.
Of course, changing perspective isn’t always easy. It requires effort, reflection and sometimes a nudge from a trusted friend or colleague. But it’s worth it. A new perspective can uncover options we couldn’t see before, or simply help us bring our best to the conversation we don’t want to have.
Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing more on this at the New Zealand Public Sector Executive Assistant Congress with a session on Perspective Shift for Difficult Conversations.
Executive Assistants play a vital role in the public sector, often navigating more than their fair share of tricky conversations.
Wishing everyone an impactful conference over the next three days!
