Prepare your presentation
Whatever the action you have envisaged (a team meeting,
face-to-face...), the context requires that we know where we are going
and with "what" we are going. It is thus necessary to observe
the situation attentively (Who expresses what? How? Who is
influential?...), to decide upon a strategy (What do we want to obtain?
What are the key messages?), and to collect the useful
information together beforehand. This is a task which is best
done with the help of other interlocutors/supporters (supervisor, RH,
peers...).
First get things out in the open
One reason for a tense atmosphere: that grievances have not been
expressed to the person whom we feel is responsible for the situation
(the manager?) or they have not been heard. This is why
a first stage is needed to allow the team to express their
feelings, and to show to them that they are being heard. This does not
indicate that you agree with what has been said but rather
that you are capable of understanding the situation from a
different point of view.
Explain your position clearly
Once the grievances have been heard, it becomes possible for you
to be heard in your turn. Not to excuse yourself but to accept your
proper share of the responsibility and to communicate
information that puts the situation in a different light. The
information could be objective (a number, a law, an agreement...) or
also personal (the guiding principle in a certain decision,
a different perception of the situation, a reminder of one's
role...). It is ultimately a matter of establishing your position in
front of your team.