There are conversations you know you need to have at work. The deadline that isnât realistic. The coworker who keeps crossing a line. The manager who is hovering so closely you can barely breathe. The role that has quietly expanded into something you never agreed to.
You know something needs to be said. But knowing what to say and actually saying it are two very different things, especially when past experiences have taught you that speaking up doesnât always go well.
So the moment passes. The situation doesnât change. And you carry it instead.
Thatâs exactly what this guide is designed to help you with.
Navigating Tough Talks gives you ready-to-use scripts for ten of the most common and most dreaded workplace conversations. Each one includes the scenario, a professionally worded script you can adapt and use as your own, and a practical tip for how to approach the conversation in a way that protects both your boundaries and your working relationships.
Youâll find scripts for asking for flexible work arrangements, setting limits on an overloaded plate, and pushing back on deadlines that arenât realistic. There are scripts for addressing a coworkerâs disrespectful behavior, getting clarity on a role that has become confusing, and responding when your contributions get overlooked. And for the harder conversations, there are scripts for reporting a boundary violation to your manager, requesting mental health accommodations, handling unsolicited criticism, and addressing micromanagement without damaging the relationship.
You donât have to figure out what to say in the moment. These scripts do that part for you.
Navigating Tough Talks is available to paid members of the Resilient Career Academy.
If you are ready to move from understanding what you are feeling to knowing what to do about it, the rest of this article is waiting for you inside The Resilient Career Academy. I would love to have you there.
