How Do You Talk About Touchy Subjects at Work?

Workplace communication about touchy subjects with bosses, co-workers, or customers, can be stressful, but the ability to talk about touchy subjects at work, without creating conflict, is a powerful skill, especially helpful in today's workplace. Bosses and organizations value workers with the skill to diplomatically confront touchy topics and get people communicating about, and solving, problems that otherwise go ignored until they explode into a crisis. Communicating with finesse about a touchy subject early on will avoid a catastrophe later.

Here are five tips to help you tackle touchy subjects:

1. Be prepared for their reaction. Before the conversation starts, play the role of devil's advocate and try to imagine how touchy the topic may be to them so that you can anticipate their reaction. Will they be shocked, angry, defensive or go into denial? Then, plan your communication strategy.

2. Let it all hang out. Consider laying it all out on the table; good bad or indifferent and let them come to their own conclusion. Sometimes you're surprised. What you think is a sensitive, touchy subject in the workplace may not be a problem, because people have hidden agendas and ulterior motives.

3. Start with a buffer or humor when possible. Use a neutral lead-in to the conversation by stating something workplace related that you both already agree on. Try something like, "This is the touchy part of our job, isn't it?" If humor is appropriate, add something like this; "We'd both rather be at the dentist's office having root canals done than be doing this. Let's try to make this as pain-free as possible."

4. Use the news. The good news/bad news approach works. Set the tone for a potentially touchy conversation in the workplace by offering the good news first. Then, present the bad news followed by your ideas for solving the problem.

5. Ask for what you need. Don't make demands and don't assume they will help you. Good communication is the key. Ask for their help, support, or cooperation.

Follow these simple communication tips and you'll take some of the stress out of talking about touchy subjects in the workplace.