Michael Rosenthal, Managing Partner, Consensus

Being the bearer of bad news is neither fun nor easy. Successful managers tend to be direct (although not harsh) early on in the conversation.

To be successful these days, salespeople have to be creative problem solvers—advice and expertise win business nowadays, rather than simply the product or service the salesperson represents.

Although you have self-interests, your conversation on the subject with your supervisor should be mindful of the collective interests of your department, including those of your boss.

Employ a “neutral” strategy to help focus the conversation on the issue rather than on the person and avoid eliciting a defensive response. This also will facilitate a more exploratory and comprehensive analysis of the situation.

Accepting that your way isn’t objectively best for everyone can go a long way toward improving communication with your colleagues around the globe.

Left unaddressed, issues such as fairly divvying up workplace tasks can fester and worsen. The solution lies in a conversation that features active listening and a willingness to be open to others’ perspectives.

Through effective mediation, workplace conflict can be not only resolved but also a valuable source of information that leads to organizational improvement.

When we get anxious, blood flows away from the parts of the brain that help us think creatively, evaluate effectively, and make sound decisions.