There is an unspoken topic that can diminish the quality of every conversation you have with the people you supervise – unless you take steps to prevent it.

 

This topic is . . .

 

You have made some mistakes and now I am going to tell you about them.

 

Sometimes this is the unspoken theme at job reviews. Sometimes it is present in brief encounters that take place in the lobby or the elevator. Sometimes it is even more extreme and the person you supervise feels threatened by the possibility that you will fire him or her.