Difficult conversations are one of the most common leadership responsibilities managers try to avoid. Not because they do not care. Not because they do not recognize the issue. And not because they believe the situation will magically disappear. Most managers avoid difficult conversations because they are uncomfortable, uncertain, or unprepared to handle the reaction that may follow. The problem is that avoidance rarely keeps the peace. More often, it quietly allows performance issues,...

Most organizational problems do not begin as organizational problems. They usually begin much smaller. Many leadership problems in organizations begin long before leaders recognize the operational impact they are creating.