Make yourself HEARD

Try our expert tips to confidently navigate difficult conversations at work

- TIANA CLINE

Helene Vermaak is a director and managing partner of The Human Edge, a company she founded in 1996 with the dream of creating a top development and training consultancy that could implement organisation-wide culture change. Today she works with key leaders to influence positive behavioural changes. Here, Helene answers some important questions about those pivotal, often awkward, workplace conversations...

1 I need a raise, but don’t know how to ask for one. What do I do?

My advice is to take the bull by the horns: know what you want and be relentless in your preparation. Equivocation will always be your worst enemy. Those who master the art of holding difficult conversations are the ones who advance the furthest in their careers and relationships. Whether it’s the difficult decision to announce budget cuts or to simply ask for a raise you know you deserve, those who choose to change the subject or avoid the conversation altogether are the ones whose careers stall.

2 I’m a line manager and need to give feedback to one of my team members. How do I tackle this conversation without hurting their feelings?