Mastering High Stake Conversations with Confidence

Hello, I'm Kristina Sammut, CEO and Founder of Frontier Leadership, where we're dedicated to empowering women to lead with clarity, confidence, and strategic action. Today, I want to delve into a topic crucial for women’s professional growth and business success—high stakes conversations.

Understanding High Stakes Conversations

In our work, we define high stakes conversations as outcomes that have a profound impact on your professional and personal life. Whether it's negotiating a new contract, giving feedback to a partner, superior, or discussing strategic directions, these conversations shape your personal, career and business landscape significantly.

Common Scenarios for High Stakes Conversations

If you're a business owner, you might find yourself in high stakes discussions when needing to alter client agreements or perhaps deciding to end a professional relationship. For those in corporate roles, these conversations can include providing critical feedback to your boss or navigating discussions that could influence your career advancement.

How to Prepare for High Stakes Conversations

As a leader, it's imperative that you take responsibility in these conversations. This involves not just participating but steering these discussions towards positive outcomes. Preparation is key—it's about knowing your role, anticipating challenges, and being ready to step out of your comfort zone.

Embracing Responsibility, Demonstrating Courage, and Avoiding Default Reactions

Taking responsibility means actively shaping the conversation and being ready to guide it constructively. Often, this requires preparation and courage, especially when addressing sensitive issues or stepping into new leadership roles. It’s often about stepping beyond our core competencies and engaging in meaningful dialogues that require higher strategic thought.

I completely get that as women we can feel sure about something, and then we go to do it - we are overcome with fear of rejection. It’s common to fall back on who we are used to (less effective behaviors) like people-pleasing or conflict avoidance during tense discussions. I want you to know at FRONTIER Leadership, we focus on reconciling these experiences and overcoming these tendencies. Acting from a place of value and strength prevents self-sabotage and promotes effective advocacy for your ideas and needs - meaning you can do it and feel great about it!

The PACE Approach Framework

You may have heard me refer back to it, and if you are new to our approach, we support our clients through the "PACE approach." This framework is integral to our women's leadership training and includes one-on-one coaching. It focuses on preparation, accountability, courage, and evaluation, providing a robust structure to manage high-stakes conversations effectively—PS. Those are not the 4Ps.

Your Invitation to Engage

I encourage you to reflect on the high-stakes conversations awaiting you. Recognize that you are not alone in this journey—our team is here to support you. We offer customized development and advisory to help you develop the strategic language and acumen necessary for these pivotal discussions.

Closing Thoughts

High stakes conversations are challenging but mastering them is essential for advancing your career and enhancing your business outcomes. With the right approach and mindset, you can navigate these discussions with assurance and strategic foresight. If you’re ready to elevate your conversational skills, reach out to us for specialized support and training.

Thank you for engaging with this vital topic. Together, we can transform your high stakes conversations into opportunities for significant growth and success.

Remember, you’re worth it!