Difficult employee conversations are one of the hardest parts of being a leader. Most managers avoid them because they feel uncomfortable, unpredictable, or “too HR-heavy.” The truth is: these conversations don’t need to be long, emotional, or complicated.
In fact, when you follow a simple, repeatable structure, these conversations become faster, clearer, and far less stressful—for both you and the employee.
Below is a framework I use that keeps the conversation respectful, direct, and focused on results.
The Simple 5-Step Framework
- Start with purpose