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About this lesson
Skills and techniques to consider when a mentoring relationship faces a challenging topic or hurdle.
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4.02 navigating-difficult-conversations - Exercise.docx61.9 KB
Quick reference
Navigating Difficult Conversations
This lesson explores the skills and strategies required to navigate difficult conversations within a mentoring relationship effectively.
Notes
Potential Challenging Discussions
Challenges that may arise in a mentoring relationship can include mismatched expectations, disagreements on goals, differing communication styles, or feedback that’s hard to accept.
Planning the Conversation
- Before initiating a difficult conversation, identify the issue, desired outcome, and approach. The aim is to improve the situation, not to assign blame.
Empathy and Understanding
- Empathy is crucial during difficult conversations. Understanding the other person's viewpoint can promote open and calm dialogue.
Constructive Feedback
- Initiate the conversation with positivity, address the issue, and provide practical suggestions for improvement. The focus should be on solutions, not problems.
Active Listening
- Active listening is essential in difficult conversations. Be open to the other person's perspective and consider potential challenges they may be facing.
Respectful Closure
- End the conversation respectfully. Acknowledge the other person's efforts and intent to improve, maintaining a positive interaction for future communication.
Revisiting difficult conversations might be necessary at times. Although challenging, these conversations can lead to stronger relationships and significant personal and professional growth.
Login to download- 00:04 Welcome back.
- 00:05 In this lesson we're exploring a challenging the crucial aspect
- 00:08 of mentoring, Navigating Difficult Conversations.
- 00:12 But challenging doesn't mean impossible.
- 00:14 With guidance and practice you'll be able to confidently handle any situation.
- 00:19 Every mentoring relationship, like any other relationship,
- 00:23 can face its own challenges.
- 00:25 These can include mismatched expectations, disagreement on goals,
- 00:30 differing communication styles, or feedback that's tough to swallow.
- 00:35 To handle a difficult conversation effectively, plan it out first.
- 00:39 Identify what the issue is, what outcome you want, and how you'll approach it.
- 00:45 Remember, the aim here isn't to blame, but to improve the situation.
- 00:51 Don't lose sight of empathy in these moments.
- 00:54 Try understanding the other person's viewpoint.
- 00:56 Showing an empathetic attitude can promote an open, calm dialogue.
- 01:02 When initiating this conversation, always be constructive.
- 01:05 Start with positivity, then address the issue at hand,
- 01:10 followed by a practical solution on how things could be improved.
- 01:14 For example, when approaching your mentor, you could say, hey,
- 01:18 I really appreciate all the extra projects you've thrown my way to help me better
- 01:23 understand our development platform.
- 01:25 I would appreciate it though, if you could provide me with better feedback because
- 01:29 I'm not exactly sure if I'm hitting the goals that we want.
- 01:32 Would it help if I came to you with my work sooner?
- 01:36 This approach keeps the focus on solutions rather than problems.
- 01:40 You start with the positive and then address the issue you're dealing with.
- 01:44 And by offering a solution, it's clear you want to help, not blame anyone.
- 01:50 And don't forget to practice active listening,
- 01:52 like we discussed in an earlier lesson.
- 01:54 When the other person responds or asks questions of their own,
- 01:58 be open to their perspective.
- 01:59 Consider the challenges they're facing, that maybe you're not aware of.
- 02:04 For example, you might find yourself in a situation where your mentee
- 02:08 hasn't responded to you or completed the projects you've given them.
- 02:13 Reach out to them in a supportive way.
- 02:16 Hey, I just want to check in with you, are you doing all right?
- 02:19 I'm here to help, just let me know.
- 02:22 They may reveal they're struggling to keep up and having doubts about their skills
- 02:27 and maybe they haven't reached out to you because they feel embarrassed about it.
- 02:32 Use active listening during these challenging conversations as
- 02:36 an opportunity for you to be helpful, responsive, and flexible.
- 02:40 If you can understand why issues have arisen, it's easier for
- 02:45 you to help address them.
- 02:47 And end the conversation in a respectful manner.
- 02:50 Acknowledge the other person's efforts and their intent to improve.
- 02:55 Maintaining a positive interaction after a difficult conversation lays
- 03:00 the groundwork for continued respectful communication.
- 03:04 Sometimes difficult conversations may need to be revisited, and that's okay.
- 03:10 They might feel challenging at first, but over time, they can lead
- 03:14 to stronger relationships and significant personal and professional growth.
- 03:18 The alternative would be to not address the difficult issues and
- 03:23 that will most certainly lead to resentment, doubt,
- 03:27 and a relationship breakdown.
- 03:30 So, with the tips we've covered here, do your best and
- 03:34 know that a positive outcome can be reached.
- 03:38 In our next lesson, we're going to address a different kind of challenge,
- 03:42 how to navigate a mentoring relationship remotely.
- 03:45 We'll see you then.
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