Using Toqan as a coach

Having difficult conversations with colleagues, direct reports or even your boss can be a challenge. It’s sometimes difficult to know what to say, how to say it and deal with your own feelings when in a tricky conversation. Toqan can help guide you when you’re unsure what to do.

In this example, we look at how a manager might talk to an employee who’s taken sick leave often without providing any clear reasons for doing so.

The prompt: I have a difficult situation with an employee who has been taking a lot of sick leave in the past few weeks. The reasons are quite vague and the medical notes don’t show what is wrong with this employee. He has always been great at his job but this is a concern. It’s having a significant impact on his team because they’re only four people in the team and everyone else has to pick up his work when he’s away. I want to be supportive but firm. I’m not sure how to approach this conversation because I don’t want him to feel we don’t care about his health. But I also want him to know what impact it’s having on his teammates, especially during busy periods. Take the perspective of a coach and advise how I can tackle this conversation.

Here Toqan not only gives tips, but also includes the kind of language to use, which is helpful.

You could consider a scenario in which the employee might become emotional, defensive, weepy or angry. Follow up with a question related to this. In this follow-up, we look at what to do if the employee becomes defensive.

You can play out various scenarios. This could also be an important tool for new managers, who may be struggling with the pressure of leading people for the first time. Make sure they’re given training on how to use Toqan for these purposes so that it becomes a vital part of their management and leadership toolbox.