Having Tricky Conversations Like a Boss - Point Easy vs. Point Difficult
Most of us avoid tricky conversations. What if we say the wrong thing? What if we make it worse? What if it’s just… awkward? So, we leave it. And for a moment, that feels like the easy option. Until it isn’t.
I worked with a home construction company where we talked about Point Easy vs. Point Difficult—a simple but powerful way to think about performance conversations. Imagine an ideal standard: turning up on-site, tools ready, at 7:30 AM sharp.
One day, someone strolls in at 7:35. Not the end of the world, right? But if you mention it that same day, the conversation is just a gentle nudge. Awkward? Maybe. But manageable.
Now, let it slide.
7:35 becomes 7:45. Then 8:00. Then missed days. The longer you leave it, the bigger the issue gets. What was once a small moment of feedback is now a full-blown “we need to talk” conversation. And worse—everyone’s watching. If lateness goes unchecked, others start pushing the limits too.. Research from Will Felps and colleagues shows that a single toxic employee can drag team performance down by 30-40%, while high performers lift the standard.
How to Have the Conversation
Simon Sinek offers a simple approach called FBI Feedback—a structure that keeps things clear and constructive. It’s built on three elements:
Feeling How did their action make you feel?
Behaviour What did they do (factually, without judgement)?
Impact What happened as a result?
Watch him here describe the approach.
Now, let’s apply this to a builder on a housing site:
“Hey mate, I wanted to have a quick word. When you turn up late, I feel frustrated because it sets a tone for the rest of the team. This morning, when you arrived at 7:45 instead of 7:30, others started thinking they could take their time too. Before you know it, 7:45 becomes the new normal, and we lose momentum before the day even starts. We need everyone on-site and ready to go at 7:30 so we can stay on track. How do we make that happen?”
Short. Clear. No drama. Just a reset.
So—what conversation have you been avoiding that, deep down, you know everyone will be grateful you had?