TIP # 9 | It won't be perfect

But if you try to fix it people are more willing to cut you slack

This Substack is dedicated to helping people everywhere communicate more effectively about difficult topics. The pieces go in order so if you haven’t started at the beginning, hit one of the links below and get started.

To review:
Tip #1 - be brave and decide to have the difficult conversation.
Tip #2 - communicate to solve the problem.
Tip #3 - say as much as you can upfront and get it behind you.
Tip #4 - don't say everything! Leave out the unhelpful bits.
Tip #5 - use words we all understand. Be inclusive.
Tip #6 - people will make up their own facts if you don’t start talking. Get in the fray.
Tip #7 - think of the “evergreen” questions people will ask. Start there.
Tip #8 - give your “dreaded question” some thought too. That builds confidence.

There are a ton of reasons people don't want to have a difficult conversation but one of the most common is that they are afraid to say the wrong thing.

It certainly is a risk, but it's definitely one worth taking. We've all said the wrong thing from time to time but this newsletter is dedicated to helping you prepare in order to minimize that risk.

If you are just getting started here, go back to Tip #1 and read through. The posts are short and I think it will be time well spent.

There are no guarantees, but one of the best reasons to have the conversation is because reasonable people will give you points for simply trying. And if you say something outlandishly inappropriate, you will become internet famous and your organization will live in infamy. I'm just kidding; that's not going to happen.

More than ten years ago the CEO of BP Oil, a massive energy company complained that he “wants his life back” after working long hours surveying the damage caused by his company’s Deepwater Horizon spill. Ironic, since local sea life, residents in Gulf Coast states, and others whose lives and livelihoods depend on clean oceans didn’t all get their lives back. But I digress.

Nevertheless, he was roundly criticized for his insensitive comments, but he also apologized for the harm his company caused. It was important for us to see him touring the damage and learning about the consequences of his company’s actions. It wasn’t perfect, but it was necessary.

Best of all, this isn't going to happen to you because you're reading this Substack. You’re different. You know better than to make it about you.

Focus on communicating to solve the problem, say as much as you can upfront, leave out the unhelpful stuff, don’t talk over your audience’s head, and focus on the questions YOU KNOW people will ask - even the dreaded question.

One last time; if you attempt to have the conversation, people will be more willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Respect your audience’s need for more information and try to meet it. Again, it won’t be perfect but it will be human and that’s all we can ask.

Let’s look ahead to Tip #10 - click here for a link. You must have a plan. Know what you want to say in advance. If you don’t have a plan then you’re planning to fail.