Difficult Conversations in the Workplace

As noted previously on this blog, this year’s presidential campaign gives us a unique opportunity to engage in difficult discussions about issues that have plagued our society and our workplaces for a long time, particularly issues dealing with race and gender.  It’s my opinion that these discussions should occur in the workplace, as well as the public marketplace.  It’s my opinion that human resources will have to be the catalyst for these workplace discussions.

Discussions like these aren’t for the faint of heart.  Don’t even think about doing them unless you’re committed to planning extensively for them and being committed to seeing them through.  But I believe they can be done–successfully. 

You’ll need buy-in from the C-Suite.  In fact, the C-Suite should  help you drive these discussions.  So, broach this idea with your C-Suite.  The reaction you get will tell you a lot about your top dogs.

You’ll need some legal advice.  Be aware of the legal pitfalls that could arise as a result of these discussions.  Although there are some, they shouldn’t prevent these discussions from occurring.

You may need experienced facilitators to guide these discussions–or to at least give you advice on how you should guide them.

If you’re willing to take this on, let your employees speak their minds, and take action based on agreements reached during these discussions, I think you’ll be surprised at how much this will improve morale, productivity and company loyalty.  Don’t get me wrong.  Things won’t go perfectly.  There will be some tough moments, hurt feelings, angry statements, bruised egos.  If you’re committed to seeing these discussions through, however, your workplace will be, in my opinion, a better, more peaceful place.

I’m going to provide some ideas on what kinds of things can be discussed.  Some will be based on the presidential campaign, and some will come from other current events.

Let’s start with something now in the news dealing with the issue of race, partly as a result of the presidential campaign and partly as a result of changing times.  Click here and here.  Stay tuned for more.