Tracy Jackson: How to Handle Difficult Conversations at Work
In this episode, Sarah Tenisi speaks with Tracy Jackson, a SHRM-certified HR executive with decades of executive leadership experience working in large organizations in the retail and banking space. As the founder of HR E-Z, Inc., Tracy recognizes a company’s most valuable assets are employees, and helps companies develop HR practices supporting the success and culture of the organization. She is also a speaker who helps people have uncomfortable conversations around diversity, inclusion, and other tough topics.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
● [01:19] Defining “uncomfortable conversations”
● [02:30] How to tackle an uncomfortable conversation
● [04:37] Why it pays to ask questions first before offering solutions
● [07:22] How Tracy tackles or moderates tough conversations
● [12:14] A primer on microaggressions
● [19:58] The importance of titles
● [22:22] How key events in 2020 impacted how companies should evolve their culture
● [26:38] How can employers can better emotionally support their employees
● [31:28] The power of feedback in creating more inclusivity in the workplace
● [34:48] Becoming more mindful of offensive jargon at work
● [36:57] The role of listening in creating a diverse and inclusive environment
● [42:06] Receiving information in a way that encourages people to talk
● [47:33] How to achieve inclusivity in the workplace while respecting other people’s beliefs
Key quotes:
● “When you’re expecting perfection of yourself, what you tend to do is play not to lose versus playing to win.”
● “Racial injustice has happened over the years. It’s just more visual now.”
● “How you receive information will determine how much information you’re going to get.”
● “I don’t tell people what to believe. I tell people how to act and engage with others and treat people with respect.”
● “Once people feel more comfortable and accepted in their own skin, you’re going to get more optimal performance. It is so exhausting to wear a mask to work.”
