Difficult conversations with employees

No one likes to have them. But difficult conversations are a part of doing business — especially when you're a manager or business owner.

“The attitude that you go into that conversation with and the approach you bring are going to almost always determine whether you get a positive outcome,” says Marty Petty, founder and CEO of the MPetty Group, an organizational consulting firm in St. Petersburg.

When an employee frequently arrives late or doesn't perform at the level they should, you should address the problem in a timely manner. But a knee-jerk reaction won't be as effective as being properly prepared for the conversation.