Veni Vidi Vici: How to navigate workplace conversations with little bit of courage

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I asked for it to happen and all it took was a courageous conversation.

For some, having bold conversations at the workplace comes easy—especially if you were raised and conditioned so. With the risk of being generic and banal, let me say, it is comparatively easier for men to have these conversations—asking for a raise, expressing dissent over bonuses, not shying away from taking credit for fantastic work. These conversations are considered “normal”. But for most women, this can be uncomfortable and super terrifying. Having said that, most of us, hide behind what’s easy—“say nothing, do nothing”. And that is the cumulative sin we commit, which sends us collectively back in time.

I must say, over the years, I have had many of these uncomfortable workplace conversations. Whether it was about putting myself up for a deserving promotion without being weighed down by an unplanned pregnancy, or out-counselling my beloved mentee to pursue a different career path more amenable to his individual strength, or demanding better sanitation facilities at a client factory side for women consultants on the team, I would say, I have not taken the easy route of doing nothing. What worked for me, may not work for you, but it may help you in starting the thought process. Pick what works best for you.

Have you faced issues in your workplace and your wider professional relationships that are weighing you down? Are you not able to cope with what is being asked of you? Are you afraid to challenge your superiors? Are you harming your junior’s development by not providing honest feedback? Do you have questions that you have been sweeping under the carpet for long? If the answer is yes to any of these, then it is about time you had a “courageous conversation”.