^Understanding how to manage tricky conversations in a professional environment without harming your relationships is key to success. Whether you encounter prejudice in corporate communication, find yourself at odds with your CEO's stance on a matter you hold dear, or witness subtle biases in team meetings, voicing your concerns is vital. However, the skill lies in doing so effectively.

Global survey data of 2,600 Gen Z employees indicates that only 20% would work for a company that doesn't align with their values. It's also noted that at least 70% of Gen Z actively participate in social or political causes. Moreover, evidence suggests those who can relate their social purpose to their jobs are more engaged and satisfied in their roles.

To explore how one can express their views and navigate challenging conversations without damaging professional relationships, we consulted a few of our experts. Here are their insights.

Embrace others as allies, not enemies.

When addressing an issue, like a subtle bias, approach the individual involved as an ally, not an adversary. Social advocacy is most effective when you initiate conversations by "inviting people in" instead of "calling them out" or outright criticism.

"To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others." - Tony Robbins

Aim for a dialogue, striving to comprehend the other party's perspective. Focus on assisting them in understanding their error rather than chastising them for it. Such conversations are not just ideologically sound but also pragmatic and practical. By inviting a person to discuss an issue rather than attempting to win a battle, they're more likely to listen and positively move forward from the conversation.

Understanding intent is vital; listen to their viewpoint.

Once on equal terms, actively listen to and consider the other person's perspective. Research indicates that we tend to overestimate how radical our adversaries' views are.

Clarify intentions by actively listening and displaying curiosity. Ask specific questions to comprehend their viewpoint better. After listening attentively, summarize what you've heard to avoid misunderstandings and confirm the facts. This will help you understand where you differ in your beliefs, their views' origins, and whether they're open to new information or prone to change.

Our ability to hear others increases when we listen and make them feel heard. As a basic human behavior, reciprocity - doing unto others as they do unto me - is a norm we should follow. Recognizing this reciprocity can make conveying your stance easier.

The human element is paramount.

It's crucial to remember you're interacting with a fellow human, a person with feelings, experiences, aspirations, and a shared desire to be understood and respected. Labeling others as narcissists, gaslighters, or toxic can lead to their dehumanization, especially when their views diverge from ours.

By listening to others and understanding their perspective, we respect their capacity for growth and change. Minson underscores that when we acknowledge the potential for change in those we disagree with, our engagement with them becomes more productive. Avoid the binary view of people as either "good" or "bad." Extending grace and empathy can go a long way.

Exclusion, on the other hand, can lead to the entrenchment of extreme views. If an individual feels marginalized, they might seek out like-minded individuals, thereby creating echo-chambers and perpetuating polarization. Treating people as humans, with their unique flaws and fundamental needs, is essential to the changes we hope to achieve.

Humor can be a potent tool.

Contrary to what one might expect, a sense of humor can play a critical role in social advocacy. Kashdan cites Loretta Rose's experience as an example of grace. In 2017, as a professor, she mistakenly used the wrong pronoun for a student. Instead of reacting negatively, the student lightened the situation with humor, saying, "That's all right; I misgender myself sometimes."

Humor allows us to connect on a human level, disarm others, and mitigate embarrassment. It invites dialogue and doesn't presuppose negative intentions. However, this approach depends on the situation and your comfort level with the individuals involved.

Don't hesitate to seek help.

Confronting broad organizational issues or engaging in difficult conversations with senior leadership can seem daunting. However, finding allies can prove invaluable in these circumstances. Look for individuals in leadership roles who share your concerns. Consult with them and propose how specific actions could benefit the company, its leaders, and its employees.

For instance, if your organization misses out on focusing on ESG, you could make a case for its potential benefits. Be proactive in suggesting how you can move forward with this issue.

Advocating for a more empathetic, respectful world is no easy task, and you can't control how others react. But the most important thing is to make a sincere effort, even if your attempts to engage others aren't always successful. Patience is the key to changing minds and behaviors. Give it time.

Closing Thoughts

As we strive to foster a world of mutual respect and care, it's crucial to remember that the reactions of others aren't within our control. What truly matters is the sincerity and wholeheartedness of our attempts. Sometimes, change might be slow, but patience is key. Each conversation, each voice raised for what is right, takes us one step closer to a more empathetic, understanding workplace.

^We've all experienced a bad day while working from home.

You begin your day on a positive note. However, the deadline for a large project is approaching, and you don't have time to complete it. So, instead of staying on track and getting an early start, you get distracted by anything but work.

The majority of your workday is spent on Twitter, Slack, and LinkedIn. We won't even talk about email. So those ambitions of completing the assignment before lunch become far away.

You aren't alone: office workers spend 28% of their time on unnecessary distractions. In addition to this, an average of five hours are spent each week visiting non-work-related websites.

As soon as you put those useless distractions aside, you're hit by midday hunger pangs, and all you want is food. As a result of wasting your whole morning, your mind explodes into a frenzy, and your anxious afternoon transforms into an evening full of stress.

Try to imagine what it would be like if you had a productive workday every day; imagine what it would be like if it became a habit.

At first, you will need to put in more time and effort. Our recommendations, however, may be helpful for long-term adjustments in your work routine with a bit of self-reflection and forward thinking.

‍Starting Your Day

A day's work can be set in stone within its first hour. But, with a couple of mistakes, you will find it's already 11 a.m., having no idea where the first two hours of your day went.

Morning productivity is all about developing habits that will last. So if you're looking for something to do on Monday, instead of opening Facebook, open Google Docs instead.

‍A Few Things To Start With

Starting your day with a nutritious meal will set you up for success. Dietary choices affect your productivity at work, as they provide everything your mind body soul needs.

It is recommended to consume low-glycemic carbohydrate diets throughout the day to maintain consistent energy levels. For those of us who aren't nutritionists, this means lots of fruits and vegetables. In addition, an egg, banana, yogurt, or blueberry breakfast may improve memory and relieve stress.

You should resist the urge to look at your e-mail when you first arrive at your workstation. You might lose your most valuable thinking hours early in the morning if you start your day reading, responding, and sorting your inbox.

The constant checking of your email will also become a habit. Reading your email while you commute to work is an excellent idea if you don't drive to work. If you have any important to-do items to check in your email before heading out to work, allocate five to ten minutes for them.

Once you have inspected it briefly, please turn it off. You will notice the difference in your productivity.

"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort." - Paul J. Meyer

‍The Little Things

Do you still want to open Gmail? You can achieve productivity goals most easily by developing "tiny habits." Tiny habits are simple, ongoing activities that create long-term behavioural changes.

For new behaviours to stick, consider the following factors:

1. Motivating factors that may assist in changing a habit.

2. Acts that make the new habit easy to form.

3. A stimulus that results in an action.

If you know that email is a huge distraction for you, schedule times to check it. Then, treat yourself to a snack break if you finish it in less than 15 minutes. Try this strategy for any habit you wish to create, such as reading or meditating, and you will have a perfect work life balance.

‍Setting Priorities

It may not be ideal for everyone to have an organised to-do list, but we could all benefit from it. First, sort chores into priority levels and categorise them accordingly. Prioritising the simplest chores is tempting, but setting priority levels will remind you to focus on the bigger tasks first.

‍Identify Your Distractions

A diagnosis is essential to administering the correct treatment in medicine. In addition, it is essential to understand what precisely distracts you if you want to establish productive habits that last months, not days.

Using time tracking software or good old-fashioned pen and paper, keep track of how you spend your time for a week. Record when you encounter distractions and what they are during the process. 

Review your work time at the end of each week. Analyse patterns of cause and effect. For example, you may fall victim to reading the news while working. Then you scroll for 30 minutes on social media after checking your email.

The process of documenting your week may seem overwhelming to many people. They may claim that it will take a considerable amount of time. But don't ignore this one. You might have more work for one week, but you'll save hundreds of hours later.

‍A Remote Work Environment

Nowadays, more and more people work from home. Indeed, you're not distracted by co-workers at home, but that doesn't mean you're untouched by distractions. Homeworkers often become their own worst enemies when working from home.

‍Conclusion

Whenever possible, try to replicate your regular weekday on your off-days. A regular schedule of waking up, showering, and dressing as if you were going to work is important. Working from home doesn't mean staying at home all day.

Go to a coffee shop to avoid the temptation to clean the bathroom or organise your bookcases. Instead, commit to accomplishing more - preferably ahead of the weekly demands - when you work from home.