ACIP: Resources for having Tough Conversations at Work

October 23, 2025

ACIP: Resources for having Tough Conversations at Work

Here are my top recommendations for four books when you are preparing to have a tough conversation at work

One of the toughest parts of working in Production in Animation is, well, having tough conversations. As I’ve said in other videos, Production often takes the role of the bad guy. In my experience, Production staff, whether you’re a brand new Production Coordinator to seasoned Line Producers – everyone struggles with having tough conversations at work. Such conversations could be telling someone that their personal hygiene at the studio is making other people around them uncomfortable, or telling someone that you’re not able to extend their contract.

Production Coordinator to Line Producer, we are in positions of leadership, and part of that is often giving feedback to your fellow Production teammates, artists and supervisors. Keep in mind that studios often have a specific framework for how and when feedback can and should be delivered, and that the level of responsibility for providing feedback differs among Production positions at different studios.

I’d like to offer a few resources that have really helped me become more comfortable with having tough conversations at work. Read these books - whether via borrowing from the library, listening as an audiobook, or purchasing from your favourite local independent book store, and I’m sure you will feel much better next time you’re in the hot seat.

I recommend these four books in particular over and over again in the work context.

A Course in Production's Top 4 Books for Navigating Tough Conversations

Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time by Susan Scott
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter by Celeste Headlee
Ask For More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything by Alexandra Carter

Fierce Conversations is great because Susan Scott practically gives you a script to follow for tough conversations, or as she prefers to call them, fierce conversations. Additionally, she gives many high stakes anecdotes from her work as a corporate consultant and mediator that show how she puts her advice to the test.

Ask for More by Alexandra Carter makes the list because when I say tough conversations, the first one that probably comes to mind is one in which you are terminating someone’s contract. However, tough conversations often include negotiating a wage or salary, or working with your team to ask for more overtime/a big push that may involve working weekends, thus taking away precious time with their families. That’s where Carter’s book comes into play, and she offers many interpersonal and relatable anecdotes to help you improve your tough conversation game.

You’ve probably heard about Radical Candor by Kim Scott, arguably the buzziest how-to tough conversations book that’s come out the last few years.I like this one because of its emphasis on giving feedback quickly and directly, rather than drawing out or avoiding a tough conversation. She makes it accessible and attainable.

We Need to Talk by Celeste Headlee makes the list because I think having tough conversations begins with our ability to converse well to begin with. The art of good conversation and being a good conversationalist is something I aspire to and Headlee reminds us that to be able to have tricky conversations starts with truly listening and speaking thoughtfully, period.

I’d like to say that it's totally normal to still dread and feel anxious about having tough conversations at work, even if you’ve read all of these books and followed all the advice. Sometimes, the only way out is through and also, feeling such dread and guilt is just part of being a compassionate, empathetic human being.

I’d also like to say that in my experience, tough conversations that may end in termination are not because the person themselves are inherently a “bad” crew member. I have found personally that it is just as likely that culturally, the studio or show, or even the role itself is not a good fit (i.e. perhaps they are better suited to VFX work than a mid-sized studio, or they need to be on site rather than remote to thrive).

For example, I have seen Leads struggle immensely, only to find they vastly prefer and succeed in being a Senior Artist. I have seen people who can’t seem to get the hang of the timeline and workflow at a mid-size studio who go on to enjoy tremendous success in a VFX environment, where they have more resources and better technical support.

Lastly, I will say that I absolutely agree with the old adage that the source of most of life’s woes are mismatching expectations. Ensuring that you set people up for success, keep communication lines open and expectations clear, are a few ways that you can head off tough conversations. And when you are heading for a tough conversation, make sure you check out the books mentioned in this video to ensure you are equipped and ready.