Communication and Relationship Skills
Painless Performance Conversations: A Practical Approach to Difficult Conversations at Work
Course Length: Two days, separated by at least one week
Course Overview: Why do we most avoid the conversations that are likely to have the greatest impact and meaning on our relationships with employees? One of the most essential skill sets a manager or supervisor must use everyday are the skills of conversation and dialogue. Helping employees find success and guiding those employees who may not be performing up to expectations is a critical activity that all effective managers must perform. By facing up to often-difficult conversations, managers and supervisors can create an atmosphere of enhanced accountability and performance. This session explores how to establish and communicate clear expectations for others and how to conduct difficult performance-related discussions. Based on the book, Painless Performance Evaluations: A Practical Approach to Managing Day to Day Employee Performance, the program presents a useful discussion model that will be applied by the participants.
Participants will be expected to prepare an individual case study which will form the basis of intense practice and feedback on their ability to conduct "difficult" performance conversations. In small groups, participants will practice the skills presented in the course and receive immediate, practical feedback. This process, repeated several times throughout the course, is intended to build the confidence and competence of managers who are required to address performance challenges in the workplace.
Group Size: 16 participants
Target Audience: This course is essential for all executives, managers, and supervisors. It is also applicable to anyone in the workplace who is required to initiate and conduct difficult performance-related conversations with others.
Course Objectives:
Participants can expect to:
- Establish a work climate that is conducive to productive conversations about performance in the workplace
- Initiate and maintain positive communication about work performance by using a sound approach to management
- Provide clear and direct feedback to others without risking the relationship
- Prepare and conduct performance discussions that encourage an exchange of information and produce better results
- Receive direct and specific feedback on their performance conversation and documentation skills
Course Topics:
- Customized written feedback on actual performance documentation they have created
- Specific feedback and extensive practice on real life, participant-created scenarios
- A fully developed list of performance expectations that apply to their work unit
- Practical tools for preparing for a difficult performance conversation
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To schedule this program for your workplace, contact the Management Education Group at 480-705-9394.