Profiles In Leadership - Taking The Right Steps

retribution, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration. Alignment is not a one-time achievement, it requires ongoing effort and reinforcement through consistent, authentic communication. By prioritizing these practices, leaders can ensure that their teams remain united, motivated, and aligned with the organization’s mission and goals. Resource: Townsend, T., Pisapia, J., & Razzaq, J. (2015). Fostering interdisciplinary research in universities: A case study of leadership, alignment and support. Studies in Higher Education , 40 (4), 658-675. Difficult conversations are an unavoidable part of leadership. Whether addressing performance issues, resolving conflicts, or delivering difficult news, these discussions are vital for maintaining trust, accountability, and a healthy organizational culture. Despite their significance, many leaders avoid them, hoping that problems will resolve on their own. Unfortunately, as Stone, Patton, and Heen (2023) point out, evading difficult conversations often results in bigger challenges, as unresolved issues tend to escalate over time (Stone et al., 2023). Navigating Difficult Conversations in Leadership

Avoiding difficult conversations can cause

significant long-term damage:

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