Critical Conversations are hard enough going into them. But leaders unwittingly complicate even further by committing certain mistakes.
View the video to find out what you should watch out for when conducting critical conversations.
And don’t forget to take the quiz at the bottom of the page.
Good Luck and Happy Learning!
Sonali (At the entrance to Gaurav’s cabin. Smiling. One hand on the door handle.): “Hi Gaurav, got a minute?”
Gaurav: (looks up. Smiles broadly. Is genuinely happy to see Sonali and extends a handshake): “Hey Sonali… sure, I do… what’s up?”
Sonali (Seen seated across the table from Gaurav. Smiling): “There’s an Internal Job Posting released for the position of Manager – Customer Services and I am very keen on applying for itAnd my friends in that team could also help me prepare for the interview. I think, right now, this is what my career needs.”
Gaurav (who had been leaning forward with his hands on the desk leans back in his chair, crosses his arms and legs. his expression turns serious): “I have to say I’ve been caught off-guard here. And while I’m aware of your interest in exploring customer interfacing roles, I never thought that you would actively seek to move out of our team! After all, we’ve given you the best projects we have – because you asked for them. In any case, you cannot apply for an IJP without completing eighteen months in your current role. So, I suggest you focus on the work you have right now.”
Sonali is seen leaving her boss’ cabin. (She looks disappointed)
Eighteen months later
Narration: The Customer Services Manager position has gone to someone else.
Narration: Sonali has no other option but to wait until another similar opening came up, but she was getting impatient.
Narration: She considered applying to other companies but then decided against it. Finally, a year later, another Internal Job Posting for the role of ‘Customer Relationship Manager’ opened.
Narration: Without discussing matters with her manager, Sonali decided to speak with Anisha, her HR Business Partner, about applying for the role.
Narration: Gaurav got to hear this news from Anisha in HR.
Anisha : “Hey Gaurav. I was wondering if you knew that Sonali approached me about her desire to apply for the new CRM IJP. Are you okay with releasing her if she gets selected for this new position?”
Gaurav (On the phone. Angry), “What? Really? That ungrateful wretch….
A few minutes later
Gaurav “The very least you could have done was inform me about your desire to apply for the IJP. I mean it’s basic professionalism! I understand you want to do other things, but if we have to relieve you, we need to have your backup/replacement in place first right.”
Narration: (Sonali seated across the desk from Gaurav. Looks down. Disappointed) Sonali interpreted this as a sign of her manager’s disinterest in her move, a fact that left her feeling demotivated and unable to give her job her everything.
Sonali: “Is he ever going to support me in my career advancement? I hate him, and I hate this job. I don’t even feel like applying for the IJP now”.
A fortnight later.
Anisha: “Sonali, you failed the IJP because you seemed to lack the enthusiasm for the new role.”
Narration: (Sonali is seen sitting slouched looking at the floor) The failure seemed to affect Sonali adversely. Gaurav decided to talk to her.
Gaurav: (At Sonali’s desk. Places a hand on Sonali’s shoulder. This is in the work bay. People around can hear Gaurav.) “Why do you look so disappointed? Missing out on an IJP is not the end of the world. Failure is part of life, you see. Don’t let this failure impact your current work ok. There’s always a next time. You know what? we’ll look at what we can do to make your current work more interesting, alright?”
Joe: “She had applied for the IJP? And she failed? How Interesting!”
Narration: Gaurav’s words left Sonali fuming from within. She hadn’t told anyone in her team about applying for the IJP, and that she didn’t make it.
Sonali: “Is he daft? Why did he have to have this conversation here in public? Now everyone will know that I failed the IJP”
Sonali: “Gaurav, not now please! Can we discuss this later?”
Gaurav: (Looking perplexed and offended… walks away) “Okay. Fine. Just trying to help…”
Narration: Sonali never reached out to Gaurav to discuss the matter. She simply continued working in her old role in a dispassionate manner.
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