The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations Chris Wong & Lucie Tesarova

Episode Overview: In this role-play episode, Lucie and Chris delve into a common workplace challenge: managing delegation effectively, especially when team members resist added responsibilities.

They simulate a scenario where Lucie, the manager, tries to delegate tasks left by a departed colleague to Chris, who is hesitant to take on more work. Through their discussion, they explore different strategies for approaching such situations, emphasizing the importance of empathy, communication, and teamwork.

Key Takeaways:


Empathy is Crucial: Lucie's initial approach lacks empathy and understanding, leading to resistance from Chris. The conversation highlights the importance of managers showing empathy and validating team members' feelings and concerns.
Clear Communication: Effective delegation involves clear and open communication, where expectations are set realistically and discussions about job responsibilities are held transparently.
Team Collaboration: Instead of imposing tasks, inviting team members to co-create solutions can lead to more amicable and productive outcomes. This approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility and problem-solving.
Adapting to Changes: The discussion underscores the need for flexibility in management, especially when unexpected changes occur, such as a team member leaving.

Reflection Prompts for You:


Think about a time you had to take on unexpected responsibilities. How did you feel, and how did your manager handle it?
Reflect on your current approach to delegation. Are there aspects you could improve to foster better teamwork and less resistance?
Consider how you can apply the principles of empathy and collaboration in your daily work interactions to enhance team dynamics.

If you found this episode insightful, don’t forget to subscribe for more discussions on enhancing workplace dynamics. Your feedback is invaluable, so please leave us a review or share your thoughts and experiences related to today's topic.

Questions? Comments? What did we do well? Where should we get better? Suggestions for our next roleplays? 

Let us know! :)

Connect with us here: 

Email: tas.difficultconversations@gmail.com

LinkedIn:  Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

Even more things NOT to say in hard conversations

In this strategy episode, Chris walks through 12 instinctual communication habits that almost all of us use without realizing it.

And most of the time, it’s not a big deal – but in difficult conversations, it can really make a HUGE difference. Hint – some of them will surprise you:


Ordering
Warning
Moralizing
Advising
Using Logic
Criticizing
Praising
Labeling
Analyzing
Reassuring
Questioning
Avoiding

 Any on that list seems like it shouldn’t get in the way of communication? 

Take a listen to today’s episode and hear why and how they actually get in the way of creating dialogue in high-stress conversations.

Want to stay in the loop?  Did you know there’s a weekly newsletter that also shares specific strategies to walk through specific hard conversations?

Get your copy here

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Questions? Comments? What did we do well? Where should we get better? Suggestions for our next roleplays? 

Let us know! :)

Connect with us here:Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

What does it mean to grow up in different cultural settings?

How do you find your own voice and find the confidence to be yourself?

In this episode, Chris interviews Andrea Horton-Meriçli, Founder of Diversifuse DEI Consulting Services, about her experiences growing up mixed-race in Texas and how, as a first-generation college student, she found confidence in her history and talents to succeed in college and professionally.

Andrea also shares about her journey to overcoming imposter syndrome.

Learn more about Andrea here:

My journey is deeply rooted in my intersectionality as a mixed-race Latina, the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, a military brat, an individual from a low-income background, and the partner of an immigrant. With a career spanning over two decades in the nonprofit sector, I amassed a wealth of experience and expertise in various domains, including K-12 education, adult education, the medical field, career services, workforce development, project management, working with immigrants and refugees, and diversity initiatives. My journey was shaped by the challenges of growing up in a low-income, bi-racial household while navigating the complexities of being a military brat, moving frequently, and adapting to new environments. Growing up, I was passionate about technology and innovation, so I started university by majoring in electrical engineering. As a minority woman in a male-dominated industry, I often felt like I didn't belong. As a first-generation working college student, I didn’t know where to go for help and support. Despite my talents and ambitions, self-doubt crept in, holding me back from fully embracing my potential...and I ended up changing universities and majors. However, deep down, I knew there was more to my story than fear and insecurity. Despite facing systemic barriers and stereotypes, my resilience, determination, and unwavering passion for having my voice and others like mine be heard, propelled me forward. Driven by my lived experiences and a desire to create positive change, I founded Diversifuse, a platform dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion with a niche for advocating for immigrants and language learners in organizations. Through Diversifuse, I am on a mission to dismantle systemic inequalities, empower underrepresented individuals, and cultivate a culture of belonging and equity in the community at large. My intersectional identity and unique perspective serve as a driving force for change, inspiring others to embrace their own stories, challenge societal norms, and create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Connect with Andrea here:

Email: andrea@diversifuse.com

Website: https://diversifuse.com/

LinkedIn Personal Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreahortonmericli/

LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diversifuse/

Facebook (Diversifuse): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551500632190

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diversifuse/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3JWfkOJ2OwudZsQ8iSyc5A Get Diversifused Podcast on ouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Diversifuse/podcasts Get Diversifused Podcast on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andrea79366

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Questions? Comments? What did we do well? Where should we get better? Suggestions for our next roleplays? 

Let us know! :)

Connect with us here:Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

Ever found yourself in a sticky situation with your boss or a colleague where you just couldn't express your needs effectively? 🤔 Tune into our latest episode of "The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations," where we explore practical strategies for managing up and steering tough discussions toward productive outcomes. Don't miss these invaluable insights! 🎧 #Leadership #Communication #Podcast

 Key Takeaways:


Understanding Dynamics: The episode explores the dynamics between a high-performing employee and a busy manager, highlighting the importance of clear communication.
Strategies for Effective Communication: Listeners learn how to manage up by using strategies that include preparation, clarity in conversation, and setting realistic expectations.
Role Play Insights: Through role-play, the hosts demonstrate both ineffective and effective ways to navigate difficult conversations, providing listeners with practical examples.
Emotional Intelligence: The importance of tone, empathy, and understanding in communication is discussed, emphasizing how these factors can defuse potential conflict.
Actionable Tips: The episode concludes with actionable advice for listeners on how to apply these techniques in real-life scenarios to foster better understanding and cooperation.

Optional Reflection Prompts for You:

Reflect on Past Conversations: Think about a recent difficult conversation at work. What would you change about your approach if you could do it over?
Empathy Exercise: Consider a time when your boss or a colleague seemed dismissive. How could understanding their perspective better have changed the outcome?
Future Strategies: What are some specific strategies you can adopt from this podcast to improve your next challenging workplace conversation?

Questions? Comments? What did we do well? Where should we get better? Suggestions for our next roleplays? 

Let us know! :)

Connect with us here:Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

Communication is really hard; good dialogue is even harder. 

The essence of good communication and good dialog is being able to say what you want to say and create an environment where the other person is also willing and open to share.

In this episode, Chris walks through common things we all say that actually get in the way of good conversations.

Take a listen and let us know - do you do or say any of these?

 Connect with us here:Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

Everyone’s leadership journey is different, but have you ever: 

-        Been told you were not a good leader

-        Set out to prove them wrong

-        Realize they were right all along?

That’s Jack Skeels story - he joined us today to talk about his own leadership journey, including one of the hardest parts of being a leader: 

Getting feedback we don’t agree with

 In fact, that was the inspiration behind the book he researched and wrote: Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations

Listen to hear his journey and pick up a copy of the book here!

Jack is a two-time Inc. 500 award-winning entrepreneur, consultant, and former management sciences researcher at the think-tank RAND Corporation. A noted author, expert, and speaker, he has been published and featured over 35 times, including Ad Age, Entrepreneur.com, Business Horizons, Wall Street Journal, Training, and many other publications.

 You can follow him here:


https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackaskeels/
https://jackskeels.medium.com
https://business.facebook.com/AgencyAgile/
https://twitter.com/AgencyAgile

Thoughts? Questions? Let us know! We would love to hear from you, your feedback matters to us. 

Connect with us here:Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova