I Need To F***ing Talk To You

There is an old Arab Bedouin saying: “I, against my brothers. I and my brothers against my cousins. I and my brothers and my cousins against the world.” In this episode the guys consider examples of being part of a tribe in both business and the wider society and talk about the pros and cons of tribalism. They make certain startling f***ing observations, someone who has socially liberal views isn’...

In this episode the guys talk about the importance of separating behaviour and opinion from the person. In a seemingly ever polarising world, both at work and in society generally, just because an individual does or says something you don’t like or agree with, it doesn’t automatically mean that that individual is an ‘evil’ person, whose raison d’etre is to piss you off. People aren’t bad people si...

Fergus Lawson studied French at University and developed a love for France and the French culture. He has been an organizational development and leadership consultant across the public sector for the main part of his career, working with the National Health Service, the Metropolitan Police in London and the London Ambulance Service. In this interview Fergus talks about the challenges of public sec...

With a podcast title in homage to Monty Python's 'Life of Brian', the guys discuss the Four Directional Influence Model from their book "I Need To F***ing Talk T You The Art Of Difficult Workplace Conversations'.  In the absence of a real f***ing guest Russell dons a deerstalker hat and tweed coat to discuss his previous role as a consultant at Scotland Yard, when he first encountered this influen...

In this episode Russell is locked in his f***ing basement, why Ken lives his best life swinging in a f***ing hammock watching an eagle fly over his cabin in the forest. The guys talk about their experiences of f***ing COVID lockdowns and how they and their clients have tried to manage work/life balance.   Some 'homeplay' for you - What work/life balance habits are you going to carry forward from t...

We’ve wanted to f***ing talk to Monique for some time. Monique has a f***ing impressive resume - she is currently a City Council Candidate for Ward 8, she is a transformative CEO, International speaker, author, board member, advocate & catalyst for change in the social sector.  Monique shares with us her unique experiences in social work, specifically in her role as a CEO for one of Canada’s top 1...

Have you ver had “one of those bosses”? Someone who’s an f***ing nightmare of a boss, someone who drives you and your co-workers f***ing crazy? In this episode Ken and Russell discuss more of the worst f***ing bosses submitted by our listeners in response to our earlier edition. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To...

Ken and Russell wanted to f***ing talk to long time friend and collaborator Nicole Zylstra about her work as an improviser, actor, director and playwright. Nicole draws on her work as a leading light in the Calgary Improv Scene to discuss how this artistic approach can be used in the business world.  Calgary Improv Groups: www.kinkonauts.com www.loosemoose.com www.dirtylaundry.ca - Ready for the n...

Russell talks to Ken about two figures from history, British General Sir John Moore and Irish Singer/Songwriter Phil Lynott. Now what the f**k could these two people teach us about leadership and what could they f***ing have in common?  Can Russell make the link? Of course he f***ing can!  It is our mission to develop leaders in organizations, check out our website at  www.ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.co...

Many of us have had or currently have a great manager, but many of us will also have had/have a f***ing nightmare of a boss, someone who drives you and your co-workers f***ing crazy. In this episode Ken and Russell discuss a collection of the worst f***ing bosses submitted by our listeners.  It is our mission to make bad f***ing bosses a relic of the past, check out our website at  www.ineedtof-in...

What a f***ing great interview with actor and improvisor Peter Strand Rumpel , our long time friend and collaborator who has worked with us in our Forum Theatre for Business Programs since the beginning. Peter has also appeared in many TV Shows including Wynonna Earp, Tin Star and Hell on Wheels and Hollywood blockbusters including The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy and Cold Pursuit...

Russell & Ken share some of their least favourite phrases and explain why they’re so tired, disingenuous, or just plain offensive. Download our Bullshit Bingo playcard at  www.ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com  before your next Zoom meeting and see if you can score a bingo.  Interested in that story about the SHIFT deck? Order a SHIFT deck from  https://www.corporate-culture-shift.com/shop - Ready for the...

Do you have colleagues wearing a Sun Hat in your workplace? If they are disengaged, disgruntled or just plain disappointed, then they’re wearing a Sun Hat.  In this episode Ken & Russell share the consequences to your organization of someone wearing a Sun Hat and what causes them to don this particular piece of headgear. Also, Russell waxes poetic about work life in the auld country. - Ready for t...

What do Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol have in common? Not a lot. And they didn’t like each other. So they'd probably resent being paired together like this. But we’ll learn what we can from them anyway and apply it to communication, collaboration and the world of business.  - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | T...

Have you ever been guilty of wearing a Viking Helmet in your workplace? You can’t help your employees overcome their resistance if you can’t have empathy for them. Recognizing your Viking behaviour is the best way to build empathy. Russell walks us through his own experience as a Viking. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***in...

Do you have colleagues wearing a Viking Helmet in your workplace? If they’re resistant to change and clinging to the old ways, then you do. In this episode Ken & Russell look to the last Viking King as an analogy for how resistance to change can sabotage an organization. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! |...

Leaders tend to assume that sandwiching negative feedback in between a couple of pieces of positive things will soften the blow. This is bulls**t. And Russell’s going to tell us why and lay out the f***ing facts for us. - Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.bluegemlearning.com/post/2018/04/17/how-to-give-effective-feedback-at-work-use-the-four-box-reflective-model - Ready for the next...

Episode 5, in which Ken responds to some f***ing listener's feedback while Russell shares some lessons from history provided by Winston Churchill and the Celtic Queen Boudica.  - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations - Amazon | Owl's Nest Books | Shelf Lif...

If we agree that it’s not effective to think of our employees as “fxxxing unmanageable, flawed individuals” for whom there is little hope, then we need a new language; one free of F-bombs and other gratuitous swear words. Let's talk about why we find it useful to think of your employee as wearing a hat that epitomizes the behaviour they’re exhibiting. - Ready for the next step in your difficult co...

Is there really such thing as an employee who is truly unmanageable? or is thinking of these individuals as “fxxxing unmanageable”,  unfairly demonizing them, and unfairly positioning yourself as a victim or martyr? Let's talk about why it may feel good, but it rarely positions you as a strong and reliable leader - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Am...

Do you have someone storming around the office, loudly and belligerently taking up a lot of space? Do you have some people in your workplace whom you choose to give extra space to, or sit at the opposite end of a boardroom table from, or angle your chair slightly away from, or sit just a little further back from? let's talk about how to deal with them.  - Ready for the next step in your difficult...

Too many managers approach a conversation in which they must challenge difficult behaviour with a lot of trepidation.  Why? Are you afraid of angry reactions on the part of the employee? Do you know what you want to say, but once the employee is in front of you, you get tongue-tied? Do you beat around the bush and try to soften the blow to avoid an adverse reaction? Let's run down the list and dis...

Sometimes conversations suck, but you need to have them, and this podcast lays out how. Read the Book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You Ken Cameron: LinkedIn Russel Stratton: LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.