Sunday, November 1, 2020

Constructive Conversations

Conversations between workers and management are often not as productive as they could be for many reasons. Here are some tips for improving them

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By Nathan Koslowsky, Representative

Frank walks up to Jason, his supervisor, in the job trailer. He’s got a problem and needs answers. He’s feeling a little nervous about the conversation, and also a little anxious about the problem. He needs it solved and hopes his boss can help.

Jason has the plans in front of him and is talking to someone on the phone. He looks up when he sees Frank open the door and step in and is a little irritated that Frank isn’t working. The project is behind schedule and he needs all hands on deck.

How well do you think this conversation is going to go?

Conversations between workers and management are often not as productive as they could be for many reasons. In this case, Frank is nervous about talking to his boss, but he has a problem that needs solving. Jason is feeling stressed out because his project is behind schedule and he is getting pressure from the project team to get things back on track. Emotions on both sides can unintentionally get in the way of a productive conversation.

Frank starts talking as soon as Jason hangs up the phone. His nerves get the better of him, and he nervously talks in circles. By the time he gets to the point, his boss is thoroughly confused.

While Frank is rambling on, Jason keeps thinking he doesn’t have time for this. When Frank appears to be done talking, he mutters, “I’ll have to get back to you on that.”

Frank leaves the trailer frustrated because that meeting did not solve his problem. Jason returns to his blueprints shaking his head. He’s frustrated by the interruption and not even sure what Frank was going on about.

Scenarios like this play out in workplaces every day. Fortunately, for both Frank and Jason, there is a better way to approach conversations like these. Here’s how to have better conversation with your boss.

7 Tips for a Productive Conversation

Schedule it. “I’ve got a problem that I’d like to discuss with you. When would be a good time to talk with you about it?”
Consult with your steward first. Stewards can help you focus your question, or work with you to clarify the issue. In some cases, it may be wise to consider inviting a steward to come along. If you want your steward to join you in the meeting, remember that he or she will need to secure proper permissions first.
Speak plainly. Prepare what you need to say, and then say it. Be direct. Don’t beat around the bush. If you have more than one problem to solve, you may need to prioritize which issues matter the most to you and then decide to speak to your key concern. This will ensure that your supervisor is not overwhelmed. You should be able to explain the issue in 30 seconds in a way that a sixth-grader will understand.
Listen carefully. If you are going to have a productive discussion with your supervisor, listen carefully to what he or she has to say.
Ask for a plan (“When can I expect a response?”). In the event that your supervisor needs time to collect more information, tell him or her that’s great. But make sure that you are both clear on when and where a follow-up conversation will take place, and who will initiate it.
Agree on what you have agreed on. It is more common than you might imagine for two intelligent, rational people to walk away from the exact same conversation and have a different understanding of what was agreed to. A simple way to protect against this is to summarize at the end of your conversation what was agreed to, and who will do what when.
Be respectful—always. Remember, your supervisor is a human being just like you with all the fears, concerns, blind spots, insecurities, assumptions, and experiences that being human entails. They are not perfect. Neither are you. The best way to have a productive conversation is to treat each other with dignity and respect.

Constructive Conversations

7 Tips for a Productive Conversation

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