If you’re like my clients, you’re starting to be laser focussed on what needs to be done in the next few months to achieve your 2023 goals and prepare for 2024.
Over the past week, each one of my clients and I have discussed the importance of our leadership approach and difficult conversations with stakeholders that need to happen to reach project goals.
As someone who has been managing people and projects for 25 years, I believe the ability to plan and lead difficult conversations is invaluable. And – I am acutely aware that planning and leading difficult conversations is easier said than done.
Listening, connecting and finding the truth of diverse stakeholders, landholders, and government staff—requires confidence.
While we gain confidence from experiences trying and failing at hard things, we can also gain confidence by doing the work and being well-prepared.
Even though I laugh at myself A LOT, it is no joke that constantly trying and failing has been a major contributor to my confidence :).
In addition, I truly believe that my love of reading and learning from books has been essential in developing confidence and delivering results.
Vince Lombardi said, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.”
As we get into Fall and start reassessing our goals and our tactics, I thought I’d share some book recommendations with you. These books (and many others) have had a major impact on my ability to lead difficult conversations:
Leading with Questions: How Leaders Find the Right Solutions by Knowing What to Ask by MIchael J Marquardt
Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, et al.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss
All three of these books have been incredibly powerful tools for learning to listen, connect, and find truth during difficult conversations (& not just in business, but also in my personal life!).
Whether you’re planning to bring up something uncomfortable with your life-partner or sitting down to resolve an issue with project stakeholders, all long-term relationships require connection, intention, and a thoughtful approach.
If you need help listening, connecting and finding the truth during your next difficult conversation, these resources are an excellent starting point. Give them a read (or a listen, if you’re an audiobook person!). Heck, there are also great book summaries on YouTube. Let me know what you think.
| Behind-the-Scenes: On Preparation & Impact
Have you heard about “Uplift Fund”? Last week, I shared that I am going to be introducing the “Uplift Fund”. A program that will allow landholders and real estate investors to partner in bringing a new housing supply opportunities to life. Even though Uplift Fund is not quite up and running just yet, here is where you can find out more and apply to be kept informed. We need a Multi-Sector Approach to Rental Housing The National Housing Accord report recently released on August 15 indicates 5.8 million homes must be BUILT in Canada in the next 7 years to keep pace with immigration. Have you seen the report and its recommendations? The 8 key points on page 5 are a can’t-miss! |