Conflict Managed

Ep 171, Normalizing Difficult Conversations

Aug 12, 2025
Rachel Shaw, President of Shaw HR Consulting with 20+ years in executive HR and ADA practice. She discusses making difficult conversations routine. Short, process-driven approaches, curiosity instead of certainty, and normalizing early, fair talks. Practical focus on disability accommodations, reducing bias, and training leaders to handle hard discussions.
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ANECDOTE

Paper Route To HR Leader

  • Rachel Shaw started as a paper girl at eight and progressed through varied jobs into HR leadership.
  • Quitting an early job after a disrespectful manager led her into HR and later consulting work in disability compliance.
INSIGHT

Process Over Guessing

  • Process replaces guesswork and reduces emotional decisions in HR.
  • Gathering medical and job-specific data often reveals workable accommodations or clear reasons why none exist.
ADVICE

Lead With Curiosity

  • Adopt curiosity when preparing for difficult conversations and gather data before deciding.
  • Tell employees honestly what you know and remain open to being wrong while seeking a workable solution.
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