Tough Conversations During COVID-19: Four Critical Communication Steps For Addressing New Challenges

ATLANTA, GA April 8, 2020--Tough Conversations International (TCI), a communications consulting company, is coaching people to handle challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing a four-step model, TCI hosts weekly, free calls wherein the public can role play and get coached on conversations they're facing.

"This pandemic is leading to tough conversations that many people aren't equipped to have," said David Wood, CEO of Tough Conversations International. "Fortunately, with four simple communication steps, the chances of a positive outcome are greatly increased."

The top tough conversation topics people are facing include:

How do I tell someone they're getting laid off or a cut in pay?
How do I talk to my staff about being productive while working remotely?
How do I ask my family and co-workers to practice stricter social distancing?
How do I set work boundaries with my family now that I'm working from home?
How do I ask my vendors or landlord for more flexible payment terms?
How do I collect from people having trouble paying their bills?

People naturally shy away from these conversations because they feel uncomfortable or worry dialogue will escalate into an argument.

"Avoiding tough conversations is extremely costly," Wood said. "It can lower morale and productivity, increase stress and conflict, and lead to missed opportunities. Having these conversations, on the other hand, often produce the results you're seeking and can be a catalyst for better relationships."

Wood and his team teach a simple four-step process, known as the CASE model, for having tough conversations:

Clarify the issue for yourself. What do you hope might happen? What are you afraid might happen? Will you risk those consequences? What's a request you could make?

Ask permission: Before you jump into a conversation, ask if they are willing to talk about it. You'll get a much better result than if you just launched into the topic.

Share: Share the issue using ownership language such as "When you did X, I felt Y. I'd like to see Z happen." Make a request that would move you in your desired direction.

Enquire: Curiosity is your friend here; this is a tough conversation, not tough monologue. Make it your mission to understand your counterpart's point of view, feelings, and ideas. You might learn something important. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding, they have a better idea than yours or they have an unspoken concern that's affecting their behavior.

States Wood, "We need to come together, now more than ever. Mastering your tough conversations is your doorway to amazing results and deep connections."

The team offers private coaching, group coaching, and a free consulting zoom call on Fridays at 2 p.m. ET where anyone can role play their tough conversation with a coach. To register for the free call, visit http://playforreal.life/zoomregister; download the Four-Step C.A.S.E. Model at http://playforreal.life/blueprint.

Tough Conversations International
2443 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
David Wood: 4158774701
press@toughconversations.work
http://toughconversations.work

Tough Conversations International: Founded by veteran coach and consultant David Wood, TCI, a branch of Play For Real, provides training and one-on-one coaching for executives, leaders, and teams. TCI's team members have worked with clients including Facebook, Square, Warner Bros, Johnson & Johnson, and Salesforce, as well as doing pro-bono work with prison inmates.
For more information, visit http://toughconversations.work.

This release was published on openPR.