As your resources have reflected, providing feedback, especially negative, can be one of the more difficult responsibilities of a manager. When it comes time to tell an employee about his or her deficiencies, it can be an uncomfortable situation. Reflect on a difficult conversation that you have had in a professional setting where you had to give feedback. How did the conversation end? What elements played into the discussion either positively or negatively?

Now using the information contained in the read "Too Hot to Handle? How to Manage Relationship Conflict" article, analyze the conversation.

In 1 - 2 pages, respond to the following:

• Briefly describe the circumstances of the conversation.
• What specific action could you have taken in each category to defuse the situation?
• Identify an area in your own approach to communication where you would like to improve. Detail the specific steps that will assist you to make these improvements.