142: Managing Difficult Conversations at Work

142: Managing Difficult Conversations at Work

142: Managing Difficult Conversations at Work

Think back to a time when you were anxious about addressing an issue with someone at work. How long did you put it off? My guest Roberta Matuson has written a powerful book to help you prepare for and have those challenging conversations. In her interview, we discussed the important, practical guidance she provides in her latest book, Can We Talk? Seven Principles for Managing Difficult Conversations at Work. We took a deep dive into the topics of confidence, clarity of preparation, compassion, and curiosity. You are sure to pick up tips that you can use next time you need to have one of those difficult discussions.

Roberta is president of Matuson Consulting. For more than 25 years, she’s been helping organizations like General Motors and Microsoft achieve dramatic growth through the maximization of talent. And that’s why she’s known worldwide as The Talent Maximizer. She’s the author of six commercially published books and an executive coach who leads her clients to reduce the time and stress often associated with speaking up to a boss, coworker or direct report.

You’ll discover:

  • The impact that the Great Resignation has had on open, honest communications
  • How to plan for the worst and expect the best
  • The kinds of conversations people avoid having with each other…and why
  • Questions you can ask yourself to gain clarity about the purpose and desired outcomes for a conversation
  • Why empathy and compassion are key elements in building trust in work relationships

Watch the episode:

Connect with Roberta

Connect with Your Team

Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills

Peer Coaching Made Simple

How to Do the 6 Things That Matter Most When Helping Someone Improve a Skill

036: Increase Your Sales with Honest and Effective Conversations

036: Increase Your Sales with Honest and Effective Conversations

036: Increase Your Sales with Honest and Effective Conversations

by Todd Holzman

Want to find out the two big mistakes that leaders and salespeople make in the area of communications? You’ll learn the answer in my interview with guest, Todd Holzman, CEO of Holzman & Company. Over the past 25 years, Todd has worked with 25,000 leaders and salespeople to help them improve the quality of their conversations. He’s discovered that, across all industries, countries and cultures, there are two errors that get people into trouble. Todd doesn’t leave you hanging about the solution. He shares a simple three-step process for structuring conversations that keep your potential clients engaged and build your credibility…and this process works equally well with friends and family. Todd and his 13-person global faculty consult to some of the world’s best companies in the Fortune 100 and Global 1000.

You’ll discover:

  • How taking a risk by telling a potential client the truth helped Todd land his first big contract
  • The importance of having conversations that uncover the real issues
  • Why it’s helpful to talk with potential clients as if they’ve already hired you
  • The kinds of questions you can ask to reflect an attitude that’s kind, gracious and shows empathy
  • How to make yourself confrontable so clients see that you’re comfortable in being wrong

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Todd