By Management Expert and Business Coach: Nancy Proffitt MBA CBC

Wouldn't it be great if we could wave a magic wand and "presto" -- change would just happen? And it would be stress-free? Change is often the most difficult process professionals undertake, but it doesn't have to be hard. Here are some tips on how to manage change by managing the quality of your conversations. Managing a healthcare practice today means leading change in your organization. Leading change through real conversations can be an important ingredient as you build your management skills and incorporate important changes that affect your strategic planning. Your project management people skills and how you use them to manage these work conversations may be improved with some coaching and a few simple guidelines.

All change must start with a change in attitude. Business is an extended conversation, whether it's with your boss, team members or direct reports. As a leader, your ability to manage these conversations is the start to making change more palatable as you grow your healthcare practice.

Sadly, the quality of many work conversations borders on mediocrity and boredom. Meaning and connection tend to be reserved for personal conversations. To communicate effectively, focus on the quality of your conversations. The way you present your information can make the difference between
• Clarity or confusion;
• Collaboration or competition;
• Inspiration or resistance; and
• Profound connection or disengaged boredom.

Real conversations begin with you. You must be the change you want to see, and model how you want others to behave. Despite indisputable evidence to the contrary, many leaders believe that displaying emotions in the workplace should be avoided. In fact, showing how passionate you are about your topic portrays you as a leader who cares and who is intent on affecting positive change.

There are 10 simple steps that can guide you through more meaningful conversations. As with any guide, consider these steps to be general principles and choose your words with forethought.

1. Prepare to have your conversation in person and without distractions.

2. Clarify your intentions.

3. Prepare your opening statement.

4. Name the issue.

5. Select a specific example that illustrates the behavior you want to change.

6. Describe your emotions around the issue.

7. Clarify what's at stake and explain how that affects your audience.

8. Identify the ways in which you contribute to the problem.

9. Indicate your wish to resolve the issue.

10. Invite your audience to respond.

Once you've made a trial run with these guidelines, debrief with the other person. For instance, try saying, "Thank you for hearing what I had to say and for sharing your perspectives. Your success is important to me, and I applaud your commitment to action. I'd like us to follow up on this later."

Nancy Proffitt, MBA, Certified Business Coach is the president of Proffitt Management Solutions and Proffitt Management Leadership Institute, an internationally recognized Leadership coaching firm dedicated to unleashing the full potential of individuals and organizations.