Hi John,

Do your colleagues avoid having Crucial Conversations? Today’s Q&A explores ways you can influence your coworkers to speak up when it matters. If you have ideas you’d like to share, we welcome your perspective in the comments section.
Getting Your Colleagues to Hold Crucial Conversations
by Scott Robley

I work with colleagues that seem to avoid Crucial Conversations. I think they are either afraid or doubt whether they’re in the position to speak up. How can I help them develop new perspectives on having difficult conversations and get them to at least try?

Signed,
Caring Colleague

Thank you for your inquiry. I must admit that upon reading your question I couldn’t help but liken your situation to raising adult children. Those who know, know. It’s hard to have influence when you are unable to use tactics like, “Because I said so” or “If you don’t, I’ll have to take away your cell phone.”

Influencing others without authority can be difficult and feel impossible. And yet, influence isn’t only for leaders. Influence is the ability to change behavior in service of an important goal. For that, all you have to do is care. Caring is key to getting started. Hidden in your question are two possible assumptions.
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Crucial Conversations® for Accountability

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We know we must decide whether to stay small, quiet, and uncomplicated or allow ourselves to grow as big, loud, and complex as we were made to be.
 
—Glennon Doyle