How to approach a difficult conversation with another governor

Find out what to do before, during and after an uncomfortable conversation with a governor, so you feel confident and can help the situation go smoothly.

Last reviewed on 20 March 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 4527
Contents
  1. Before: 5 steps to prepare for the conversation
  2. During: stay in control and keep your meeting structured
  3. After: check in with the governor and escalate the problem if necessary
  4. Examples of difficult conversations

Is this article for me?

This article is aimed at the chair of governors - they’re best placed to approach difficult conversations with governors.

If you're aware of an issue with another governor that you feel needs to be resolved, talk to your chair about it first.

Before: 5 steps to prepare for the conversation

Make sure you’ve planned what you’ll say and take your time - you’ll feel more confident if you're prepared.

1.  Invite the appropriate people

Formally invite the governor to the meeting (via email is best here, so you have a record) Let them know what the meeting is for - just a brief note is fine here, as you'll get into the details in the meeting Specify

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