Page 231 - Fearless Leadership

218 FEARLESS LEADERSHIP

circumstance. The longer you postpone a conversation, the
more difficult it becomes, and minor concerns escalate into
full-blown suspicions and doubts. Seize whatever moment you
have and dive into the conversation.
2. Take accountability and be responsible for how you commu-
nicate and, above all, listen. Leave nothing incomplete or
unsaid in your conversation. Speak from the heart, be emotion-
ally honest, and invite the other person to do the same. In any
tough conversation, start with your commitment to the relation-
ship and resolve the sensitive situation together. It is much
easier to resolve a problem when you are standing side by side,
facing the issue together rather than placing it between you.
Stay in the conversation until all issues are resolved and
complete and the relationship is restored.
3. Immediately include appropriate others in how you and
the other party have resolved the misunderstanding or
breakdown. We naively think that a breakdown with one
individual does not impact others. This is not true. If you have
an unresolved issue with one person, it is likely that others
are not only aware of it, but have also been impacted by it.
Identify who you need to include in the resolution of the
breakdown or issue, and talk with them. Take accountability
for the breakdown, and most importantly, let others know
that you have restored the relationship. Demonstrate what
it means to be a committed partner.

Take time to deliberate,
but when the time for action has arrived,
stop thinking and go in.
—NAPOLEON BONAPARTE (1769–1821)