The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Sorry for the click-bait title, but as season 3 comes to an end, Lucie and Chris have some big news to share.  They also spend a few minutes talking about the rise of AI, especially how it impacts difficult conversations.  Then they share some BIG news for listeners.  How will you spend the summer? Connect with us:  Email –  tas.difficultconversations@gmail.com Chris ...

In part 2 of their conversation, Frank joins Chris and Lucie to talk through the steps of facilitating restorative circles, the preparation that makes group conversations successful, and the secrets of facilitating well.  Together, they go through practical tips for facilitators and leaders to create safe, impactful spaces for dialogue and healing.  Key Takeaways:   Setting the righ...

In this week’s episode, Frank Velásquez Jr. joins Chris and Lucie to share his journey into restorative justice, leadership as a person of color, and how restorative circles can transform organizational culture. Discover practical insights on authentic leadership, facilitation, and creating safe spaces for difficult conversations.  Leaders of color often struggle with authenticity due to orga...

In this episode, Will Hobart shares insights on leadership, transparency, managing anxiety, and building trust within organizations. Discover practical strategies for effective communication and authentic leadership in challenging times. About our guest:    Will Hobart is an education leader, strategist, and nonprofit executive with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations...

How do you align a team that doesn't seem to be reading the same page, or even the same book? In Part 1 of our conversation with nonprofit leader Will Hobart, we dig into one of the hardest tensions in leadership: caring deeply about your people while still driving toward clear goals and results.   Will shares the lessons that shaped him, from a fifth-grade conflict-resolution program to the...

In this interview with leadership coach Lucie Tesarova, Tina Paulus-Krause shares her transformative methodology, CIDER strategies, designed to help individuals achieve clarity, set intentions, maintain discipline, and manage energy for personal and professional growth. Discover practical tools for self-awareness, overcoming burnout, and creating a meaningful leadership legacy. 00:04  The CID...

In this inspiring interview, Tina Pullous Kraus shares her transformative journey from burnout and personal struggles to becoming a transformation trainer. Discover practical insights on emotional intelligence, authentic leadership, and how to create lasting change in your life and relationships. Chapters 00:00  From Burnout to Bliss: A Personal Journey 04:54  Generational Healing and Tr...

In our follow up to last week’s episode, Ashley and Chris continue talking about navigating difficult conversations, especially when dealing with friends or family in a professional setting.  Especially when they start bringing things back up or get more defensive, it can feel like you’re on the edge of losing an employee AND a friend.  Hear how Ashley walks us through: -  &nbs...

In this week’s interview, Ashley Cox, a leadership mentor and expert in women in business, joins Chris to share her insights on leadership, gender dynamics, and building successful, people-centered businesses.  Lucie, unfortunately couldn’t make it, but Ashley and Chris still had a great time talking about the specific barriers that women face.  Together, Ashley talks about:   How t...

If last week was helpful (or if you didn’t watch it, go back now and listen!), this week kicks it up to the next level.  In part 2 of their conversation with Laura Morgan, she helps us navigate some tricky situations: -            What if someone is yelling at you? -            What if they sta...

One of the most common questions we get is “how do we manage the emotions that inevitably come up in difficult conversations?”  And our guest this week, Laura Morgan, knows exactly how to deal with it.  With a background as a mental health therapist and now as an HR Director, she’s no stranger to heavy emotions in difficult situations of all kinds.  But, as she describes it – emotio...

Explore effective strategies for delivering bad news, managing difficult conversations, and fostering a supportive team culture with our guest today, Toby Campbell. Learn practical techniques, metaphors, and leadership insights to improve communication skills. About Dr. Toby Campbell Dr. Toby Campbell is Professor of Medicine, Thoracic Oncologist, Chief of Palliative Care and the Ellen and Peter O...

In this episode, Dr. Toby Campbell, an oncologist and expert in serious illness conversations, shares insights on how to navigate difficult medical discussions, especially around delivering bad news and organ donation. Discover practical frameworks, emotional engagement techniques, and the importance of communication skills in high-stakes situations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Warm-Up 00:00 N...

In this insightful interview, Gift Tshuma shares practical strategies for inclusive leadership, effective advocacy, and navigating difficult conversations in the workplace. Discover how to approach accessibility issues, support marginalized employees, and foster a more inclusive environment. Key topics: Inclusive leadership strategies Advocacy and storytelling, Handling difficult workplace convers...

Episode Overview In this powerful Part 1 conversation, hosts Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova sit down with Gift Tshuma — disability rights advocate, accessibility specialist, musician, and co-founder of Tshuma Consulting — to explore what advocacy really means, why storytelling is its foundation, and how to navigate the difficult conversations that come with pushing for inclusion in organizations an...

Summary:   In part 2 of their conversation, Chris, Lucie, and Travis walk through practical strategies for having difficult conversations, asking effective questions, and improving communication in leadership. They also role play a performance conversation to show how asking questions and remaining curious can lead to powerful insights.  In this episode, learn how to:   Ask question...

Summary: This week, join Lucie and Chris as they interview Travis Dalrymple, a leadership coach and former entertainer, who shares his unconventional journey through various careers.  He wrote a fun leadership book “How to Suck As a Leader” and shares his insights on leadership, communication, and culture, and practical strategies for difficult conversations and creating a positive organizati...

In part 2 of their interview with Roberta Dombrowski, Chris and Lucie pick her brain on how to deal with the guilt trips and the reality that sometimes these conversations happen over and over again – often pushing your boundaries.  Roberta was so nice to role play with us and Chris and Lucie had SO MUCH FUN channeling their own moms to really see how to better handle these conversations.&nbs...

Summary: In this week’s episode, Chris and Lucie get the privilege to interview Roberta Dombrowski, a coach who helps leaders function at their best.  She’s also experienced in setting boundaries, both at work and in her personal life.  she shares her journey from burnout to coaching, focusing on reclaiming confidence, setting boundaries, and improving communication in personal and profe...

Rachel Platt shares practical strategies for addressing disrespectful behavior, giving effective feedback, and fostering respectful workplace environments. This episode covers handling difficult conversations, timing feedback, and maintaining emotional regulation.   Connect with Rachel: rplatt@PLATTinumconsulting.com https://calendly.com/plattinumconsulting/intro-networking   https://www...

In this conversation, Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova engage with Rachel Platt, a people strategist, to explore the dynamics of difficult conversations in the workplace. They discuss the importance of addressing disrespectful behavior, the role of leaders in fostering a respectful culture, and the balance between achieving results and maintaining a positive work environment.   Rachel shares ins...

How do you tell someone they are not performing at the level you expect or need them to, without crushing them or demotivating them, and instead making them feel supported and motivated to improve?  Hear how Peter Vinge does it in the different performance feedback roleplays with Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova.  Missed part 1 of this conversation on performance discussions? Check out part...

In this conversation, Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova engage with HR consultant Peter Vinge to explore the complexities of performance conversations in leadership. They discuss the importance of clear communication, the distinction between kindness and niceness, and the necessity of addressing performance issues promptly. Vinge shares insights on how to prepare for feedback sessions, manage emotions...

In the 2nd   part of their interview with Kristina, Chris and Lucie explore the importance of fostering a culture of productive disagreement within teams. Kristina shares strategies for transforming meeting dynamics, encouraging open dialogue, and the value of contrarian perspectives.  She shares her advice on how to encourage people to speak up and she even goes through a role play in w...

This week, Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova talk with Kristina Joy Carlson, founder and author of "Outrageous Kindness."  There’s lots of talk around the idea of psychological safety.  And one way that plays out in real life is a culture where open disagreement is not only accepted but encouraged. Kristina talks about how a culture of fear can stifle communication and innovation. She advoca...