---
title: How To Handle Tough Conversations On Zoom | Crosschq
description: How to handle tough conversations virtually on Zoom, Slack, Google, and More. Find tips for handling difficult conversations across virtual platforms.
---

[Hiring Intelligence Insights, Ideas and Inspiration ](https://www.crosschq.com/blog)

# [How To Handle Tough Conversations On Zoom | Crosschq](https://www.crosschq.com/blog/how-to-handle-tough-conversations-on-zoom)

 Written by [Mark Ko](https://www.crosschq.com/blog/author/mark-ko) | Nov 1, 2021 3:44:00 PM

Having a difficult conversation with an employee is never fun, even in the best of circumstances. With the advent of remote and hybrid work, however, tough conversations have become increasingly difficult to have over on a virtual call as well as a a phone call.

If [hybrid and remote](https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2021/08/31/remote-and-hybrid-work-is-here-to-stay-and-thats-why-quality-of-worklife-matters/) work is truly here to stay, it’s going to be important for hiring teams to develop a strategy for how to have the necessary but difficult conversations that are inevitable. 

Below is everything you need to know for how to handle tough conversations virtually.

## **Types of tough conversations in the workplace**

Before we get into some tips for managing tough conversations in the workplace, let's look at what some of these difficult conversations might look like. 

Types of tough conversations in the workplace might include:

- Layoffs
- Furloughs
- Disciplinary discussions
- Changes in roles or responsibilities
- Company value alignment or attitude discussions
- Addressing toxicity in the workplace
- Personnel changes
- Discussions over deadlines or productivity

Difficult conversations, in business as in the many other aspects of life, are always easier to have in person. Reading facial expressions, body language, and having the immediacy of the person in front of you all contribute to smoother interactions and lines of communication. 

However, that doesn’t mean that productive and healthy conversations are impossible to have in remote settings. Below we’ll look at some tips on how you can navigate difficult conversations virtually.

## **Tips for difficult situations virtually**

Despite the challenges presented through video chat or Zoom calls, it’s possible to have smooth interactions around difficult conversations. Below we’ll get into some tips for how you can manage difficult conversations over Zoom. 

- Prepare for the conversation

- Be prompt

- Make the call as private as possible

- Encourage responses/conversation

- Ways to make it feel like it’s in-person

If a lot of these may seem like things you already do in-person, it’s because that’s part of the point. You want these interactions to feel as natural and human as possible. Technology can create gaps between individuals, but you can bridge that gap by being intentional about practicing healthy communication habits.

### **Crosschq will help you develop the right team**

Although difficult conversations are inevitable, you can navigate them more effectively and less often when you hire the right team members. This is where a data-drivenhiring and reference check solution, like Crosschq, can help to empower your hiring decisions.

Find the right candidates from day one with Crosschq’s propriety talent intelligence technology and see your potential grow. Check out a free [demo](https://www.crosschq.com/demo-request?hsCtaTracking=6399120b-83bf-4ea3-8446-d867f61aa378%7C41293ad4-2621-48b4-a2d2-13d320502da4) to see how Crosschq can help you find the right candidates today.

[View full post](https://www.crosschq.com/blog/how-to-handle-tough-conversations-on-zoom)

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