Have difficult conversations early, in private, with the facts and a clear purpose. State the issue plainly, listen properly, agree what happens next and follow up in writing. Delay makes every hard conversation harder, and avoiding them costs more than having them.
Difficult Conversations in FM Leadership is a practical guide to the hard discussions facilities, estates and workplace leaders face. It offers a clear structure and scripts for performance conversations, bad news, saying no to senior stakeholders and challenging contractors.
Written for both employers and candidates, it also covers staying composed in the room, following up properly and building the habit of early, honest feedback. It finishes with a ten-point checklist to use before your next difficult conversation.
What the guide covers
- Why avoiding hard conversations costs more
- How to prepare without over-scripting
- A simple five-step structure
- Performance conversations with long-serving staff
- Delivering bad news upwards
- Saying no to senior stakeholders and challenging contractors
- Following up and building the habit
Related guides
Free Maxwell Stephens guides on the same subject:
- Emotional Intelligence in Facilities Management Leadership
- Calm Leadership Under Pressure
- How to Build Trust as an FM Leader
Who this resource is for
FM, estates and workplace leaders, HR directors, and professionals preparing to step into senior operational roles.
Talk to Maxwell Stephens
Maxwell Stephens is a specialist Facilities Management recruitment consultancy. If you are planning an FM, estates or workplace appointment, contact us for a confidential conversation, or read our case studies to see how comparable searches were run.