Dr. Michelle Johnston

So my advice, this is a time where you can use your phone.

And record yourself.

Do an audio recording of your conversation you want to have that's going to be a difficult conversation with your employee.

And look for words that minimize connection and that kind of erode connection and take out the buts, the justs, the shoulds.

True.

It is so hard.

Ryan, I write about this, and I can't tell you how often I hear myself using but in just.

It is hard.

So I have had to show myself grace, and I say to myself, look, if I can just eliminate a few more each day, then I'll continue to get better and better.

So this is difficult, and it's important.

I have so many leaders who have the best of intentions and in their one-on-ones, they just do things that erode that trust, right?

And that's the last thing we want to do.

Besides words that erode trust, you know what else really pisses off people?

Is if they send you a text.

Okay, let's start off this morning.

Ryan, I send you a text.

Ryan, it's Michelle.

I know you asked for the progress of the report.

Let me give you an update.

and you never respond.