Let’s be honest: most technical teams treat risk the way cats treat bathwater—with a very healthy suspicion and a slow, careful retreat. And who can blame them? In a world of code rollbacks and production meltdowns, a bit of risk‑aversion feels downright sensible.
But here’s the problem: that same caution tends to spill over into our conversations.
We avoid difficult chats like they’re radioactive. We hesitate before tackling a sticky subject, especially if it might feel confrontational. And yes, we all know that gut‑churning dread before saying, “Hey… can we talk?”
The trouble is, dodging those conversations doesn’t make the issues go away. It just hands them a comfy chair, a coffee, and lets them grow into bigger problems later.
Here’s the good news: with a bit of preparation, those conversations don’t have to be terrifying. You can plan your approach, arm yourself with clarity and confidence, and take a lot of the stress out of it. And—brace yourself for this—when handled well, those difficult chats don’t just avoid damaging relationships… they can actually improve them. Trust grows, alignment improves, and suddenly collaboration feels less like herding cats and more like dancing in sync.
Sharks, Dolphins… and the Plot Twist
Peter Benchley, the man who gave us Jaws, once admitted that his book changed how people felt about sharks. Suddenly, catching them in fishing nets seemed like some kind of public service. “Save the swimmers, kill the shark!”
Except… oops. That little PR spin ended up having huge negative impacts on the environment.
And here’s the kicker: in the corporate ocean, dolphins can be just as dangerous as sharks.
We’ve all heard those personality labels.
Dolphins: kind, approachable, quietly brilliant. They’re reliable, team‑oriented, introverted but light up like a disco ball when talking about their passion.
Sharks: bold, assertive, and ready to swim through brick walls. They’ve clawed (finned?) their way to the top, and they’ve got the scars and war stories to prove it.
But here’s a fun marine biology fact to blow your mind over your morning coffee: in the real ocean, dolphins do sometimes eat sharks. Orcas (the largest type of dolphin) hunt down great whites like they’re ordering the special off the menu. Even bottlenose dolphins occasionally go after smaller reef sharks.
So yes, those smiling, squeaky “safe” dolphins? They’ve got teeth, and they know how to use them.
And that’s true at work, too. Your dolphin‑types might seem gentle and quiet, but underestimate them and you’ll find they can hold their own in tough conversations, push back when needed, and even take on challenges that would make a shark think twice.
Summary (a.k.a. Don’t Fear the Fins):
Risk‑aversion is natural, and avoiding difficult conversations feels safer in the moment—but it’s often a trap. With preparation and empathy, those conversations can actually strengthen trust and build a more productive team. And just like the ocean needs both dolphins and sharks, your workplace needs a mix of gentle collaborators and assertive leaders. Remember: even dolphins can eat sharks when the situation calls for it—so never underestimate the quiet ones!
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