Difficult Conversations Don't Have to Be Difficult

Chapter 4Tiles of Talent: Embracing Hybrid Team Trust

“I really appreciate you sharing this with me, T. I am so sorry we haven't had a chance to speak earlier. I respect the fact that you care enough to tell me the truth, and while you were talking, I remembered something my mentor told me years ago. He always used to say relationships are what matter most. Somehow, I got off course with the busyness and stress of the past months. The pressure from the board and my need to prove my worth and value have been my top priority. I might have even been dealing with impostor syndrome. I can feel like maybe I'm not good enough to really make this company sale happen. In fact, you're probably right. My focus has been on myself, not on what's best for the team or anyone else, really—not the board, not my family, not the rest of the people in the company.”

Ruth took a deep breath and continued. “I didn't see it before but now I do. I'm going to get back on track. I'm going to look for ways to build trust back with the team and start by allowing more flexibility in where they do their work, like they've asked me for so many times. I need to tell myself to look at the group as tiles of talent on the screen when we work as a hybrid team instead of telling myself that no one gets as much work done when they're out of the office. Each rectangle on the computer screen represents a unique, valuable, and talented member of our team. I should no longer assume they are less engaged when they are ...