The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Chris Wong & Lucie Tesarova
  • 5.0 (3)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to "The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations," the podcast that takes you on a transformative journey through the world of interpersonal communication. Join us as we explore the delicate dance of dialogue, where we roleplay various scenarios, dissect how not to handle difficult conversations, and provide expert guidance on how to navigate them with finesse. In each episode, we'll dive into real-life situations, from workplace conflicts to personal disputes, and showcase the pitfalls of miscommunication. We will demonstrate how not to approach these challenges, illustrating common mistakes we all make. Learn with us as we uncover the strategies, techniques, and insights that empower you to approach difficult conversations with confidence and compassion. Tune in to "The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations" and transform your interactions for the better. Because when we communicate better, we live better. Want to be a guest on our podcast? Let us know! https://bit.ly/3z4Sn5w

  1. Building a Culture of Champions with Jevon Gondwe (Part 1)

    2D AGO

    Building a Culture of Champions with Jevon Gondwe (Part 1)

    How do you build High-Performing Teams? What kind of skills and factors are essential for effective leadership? Join us for a conversation with Jevon Gondwe to hear his personal anecdotes and insights that highlight the transformative power of leadership in both personal and professional contexts. Takeaways: Effective communication enhances overall quality of life. Leadership has a ripple effect on individuals and teams. Servant leadership focuses on maximizing others' potential. Creating psychological safety is crucial for team growth. Personal growth is essential for effective leadership. Listening actively can bring out the best in others. Vision should inspire and engage team members. Real conversations are necessary for alignment and growth. Fear often prevents difficult conversations from happening. Leaders should empower individuals to take ownership of their roles. Chapters00:00 Building High-Performing Teams01:25 The Ripple Effect of Leadership05:04 Understanding Servant Leadership10:23 Essential Skills for Effective Leadership16:46 Aligning Team and Individual Visions21:00 Creating a Vision for Your Team24:00 Overcoming Fear in Difficult Conversations27:21 Personal Growth as a Leader About Jevon: Jevon Gondwe is a dynamic Leadership Transformation Architect and the founder of Influential Skills. His leadership insights have been featured in major media companies like Inc. Magazine and Training Industry, Inc. Through Jevon’s proprietary leadership framework Building a Culture of Champions is preparing team leaders for the new economy. Fighting against corporate disengagement, high turnover, and average work environments, Jevon is transforming leaders into catalysts for growth by helping them develop the mindset for personal growth, while building the crucial communication and relationship building skills to connect, inspire, and lead a championship team. His unique approach to leadership communication is forged from over 15 years of hands on experience, and the invaluable lessons from 3 college National Championships under two of the NCAA's winningest coaches of all time. This background instilled a mindset of excellence, humility, and servant leadership, which Jevon has shared to inspire over 30,000 professionals. His core offerings focus on the intersection of interpersonal skills, leadership, and team building, helping leaders boost engagement, retention, and performance, even through their most challenging team dynamics. Jevon doesn't teach theory, he's applied these proven methods across diverse industries. A proud husband and father, Jevon embraces his unique Malawian-American heritage to connect with diverse audiences and firmly believes success comes from consistently adding value to others, a philosophy he champions for all leaders. Connect with Jevon:https://www.influentialskills.com/jevon@influentialskills.com Connect with us: Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.comChris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    29 min
  2. Transform crisis into an opportunity with Scott Harvey (Part 2 - Roleplay)

    SEP 2

    Transform crisis into an opportunity with Scott Harvey (Part 2 - Roleplay)

    How can you turn a crisis into an opportunity and rebuild trust? Join us for another episode of the Art & Science of Difficult Conversations, where we had a conversation with Scott Harvey, who has 20 years of experience in law enforcement as a Hostage Negotiator. This is part 2 of the episode, where we role-play a difficult conversation that many leaders face - talking with an employee who "survived" a wave of layoffs and is now demotivated, anxious, resentful, and scared about the future. How do you have that conversation? Tune in to find out. About Scott: With 20 years of experience in law enforcement as a Hostage Negotiator and over 18 years as a business owner, Scott Harvey has a deep understanding of what drives success. His career has included roles as a sergeant supervising officers, teaching thousands of D.A.R.E. classes, and delivering keynote speeches to hundreds of thousands of people. Scott's extensive experience has refined his ability to impart leadership skills, which he shares on dozens of stages each year. In 2023, Scott distilled his decades of communication expertise into his book, Silence Kills, which has already sold thousands of copies. As a business coach, Scott engages directly with entrepreneurs and leaders, challenging them to grow their businesses while maintaining balance in their personal lives and health. His unique style of personalized motivation continues to make a significant impact both on and off stage. Scott’s wife of over 27 years and their two grown daughters keep him grounded and inspired, providing real-life insights as he navigates the roles of husband, father, and entrepreneur. Contact Scott Harvey: https://speakingofharvey.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakerscottharvey/ https://www.facebook.com/speakerscottharvey  https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakingOfHarvey https://www.instagram.com/speakingofharvey     Contact us: Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.com Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    26 min
  3. Transform crisis into an opportunity with Scott Harvey (Part 1)

    AUG 26

    Transform crisis into an opportunity with Scott Harvey (Part 1)

    How can you turn a crisis into an opportunity and rebuild trust?  Join us for another episode of the Art & Science of Difficult Conversations, where we had a conversation with Scott Harvey, who has 20 years of experience in law enforcement as a Hostage Negotiator.    Key takeaways:  Crisis can be an opportunity to rebuild trust. Prevention is key in communication to avoid crises. Silence in leadership can communicate apathy. Building rapport is essential for effective communication. The service recovery paradox shows that resolving issues can enhance satisfaction. Emotions can hinder logical thinking during conversations. Calming techniques can help manage anxiety before difficult conversations. Anticipation of difficult conversations is often worse than the reality. Collaborative problem-solving leads to better outcomes. Open communication fosters a positive organizational culture. And don't miss part two of this interview that goes live next week, where we roleplay some difficult scenarios for you!  About Scott:  With 20 years of experience in law enforcement as a Hostage Negotiator and over18 years as a business owner, Scott Harvey has a deep understanding of whatdrives success. His career has included roles as a sergeant supervising officers,teaching thousands of D.A.R.E. classes, and delivering keynote speeches tohundreds of thousands of people. Scott's extensive experience has refined hisability to impart leadership skills, which he shares on dozens of stages each year.In 2023, Scott distilled his decades of communication expertise into his book,Silence Kills, which has already sold thousands of copies. As a business coach, Scott engages directly with entrepreneurs and leaders,challenging them to grow their businesses while maintaining balance in theirpersonal lives and health. His unique style of personalized motivation continues tomake a significant impact both on and off stage. Scott’s wife of over 27 years and their two grown daughters keep him groundedand inspired, providing real-life insights as he navigates the roles of husband,father, and entrepreneur.  Contact Scott Harvey:  https://speakingofharvey.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakerscottharvey/  https://www.facebook.com/speakerscottharvey  https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakingOfHarvey  https://www.instagram.com/speakingofharvey  Contact us: Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.comChris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    33 min
  4. Part 2: How to talk about race and social justice (with Hilary Giovale)

    AUG 19

    Part 2: How to talk about race and social justice (with Hilary Giovale)

    Is it possible to talk about race and social justice in a productive way? Listen to our interview with Hilary Giovale to find out the answer to that question and more! We discuss the challenges with having these conversations, how vulnerability plays a role in sharing our personal stories, and how white individuals can confront their guilt and engage in difficult conversations about their heritage and responsibility. Agree? Disagree? Have a story to share? Let us know! About Hilary: Hilary Giovale is a mother, writer, community organizer, and facilitator who lives on Hopi, Diné, Apache, and Havasupai land in Flagstaff, Arizona. A ninth-generation American settler, she is descended from Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe. Hilary seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of human rights, environmental justice, and equitable futures. As an active reparationist, her work is guided by intuition, love, and relationships. She divests from whiteness and bridges divides with truth, healing, apology, and forgiveness. She is the author of Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair. Learn more about her work at goodrelative.com. Check out Hilary's Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan. The book Hilary mentioned is: My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Healing our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menakem. This page has some links to independent booksellers who carry Hilary's book. All the proceeds from book sales go to Decolonizing Wealth Project and Jubilee Justice. https://www.goodrelative.com/book Contact us: Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.comChris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    27 min
  5. How to Talk about Race and Social Justice with Hilary Giovale

    AUG 12

    How to Talk about Race and Social Justice with Hilary Giovale

    Is it possible to talk about race and social justice in a productive way? Listen to our interview with Hilary Giovale to find out the answer to that question and more! We discuss the challenges with having these conversations, how vulnerability plays a role in sharing our personal stories, and how white individuals can confront their guilt and engage in difficult conversations about their heritage and responsibility.  Agree? Disagree? Have a story to share? Let us know!  About Hilary:  Hilary Giovale is a mother, writer, community organizer, and facilitator who lives on Hopi, Diné, Apache, and Havasupai land in Flagstaff, Arizona.  A ninth-generation American settler, she is descended from Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe.  Hilary seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of human rights, environmental justice, and equitable futures.  As an active reparationist, her work is guided by intuition, love, and relationships.  She divests from whiteness and bridges divides with truth, healing, apology, and forgiveness.  She is the author of Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair.  Learn more about her work at goodrelative.com. Check out Hilary's Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan. The book Hilary mentioned is: My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Healing our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menakem. This page has some links to independent booksellers who carry Hilary's book.  All the proceeds from book sales go to Decolonizing Wealth Project and Jubilee Justice. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Difficult Conversations 03:30 Identity Transformation and Community Reactions 05:39 Engaging with Indigenous Communities 08:00 The Shift from Old to New Identity 11:00 Guilt and the Legacy of Colonialism 12:54 Navigating White Guilt in Conversations 15:33 The Power of Personal Storytelling 19:13 Vulnerability and Protection in Sharing Stories 22:39 Reconnecting with Ancestry and Identity 23:40 The Historical Context of Whiteness 29:02 Navigating Conversations with Conservative Family Members 29:48 Personal Reparations and Community Healing     Contact us:Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.comChris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    32 min
  6. The SIMPLEST Way to read someone's nonverbals

    AUG 5

    The SIMPLEST Way to read someone's nonverbals

    Welcome to Season 3! Chris and Lucie are back with a whole new season, but we’re starting things off simple since Lucie’s tied up! In this episode, Chris delves into the importance of nonverbal communication and simplifies it, since it’s so misunderstood.  He talks about:  Why is it so important?  The 3 biggest misconceptions/myths about body language/nonverbal communication  The 1 simple thing to be aware of that can make a big difference What do you think? Contact us:Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.comChris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    15 min
  7. Compilation: Politics, Money, and Marriage

    JUL 29

    Compilation: Politics, Money, and Marriage

    NOTES:   One more week of rest!  In this week's compilation, we re-visit episodes on how to talk about politics, money issues, and marriage issues.   Season 3 starts next week!   Contact us:Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.comChris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhcLucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    2h 58m
  8. Compilation: Feedback Strategies that ACTUALLY work

    JUL 22

    Compilation: Feedback Strategies that ACTUALLY work

    SHOW NOTES: More rest month!  In this week’s compilation episode, feedback is on the menu – specifically, how do you give feedback that sticks?  Chris and Lucie discuss five key elements that contribute to successful feedback and demonstrate how it could play out when an underperforming employee asks for a promotion they don’t qualify for. Takeaways  Effective feedback requires a structured approach.  Understanding employee motivations is crucial for feedback.  Specificity in feedback helps eliminate misunderstandings.  Coaching should accompany feedback for better outcomes.  Accountability structures are essential for follow-up.  Feedback should be seen as a supportive tool, not a punishment.  Managing emotions during feedback is key to effective communication.  Regular check-ins can help maintain accountability and progress. Contact us: Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.com Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova

    1h 22m
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to "The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations," the podcast that takes you on a transformative journey through the world of interpersonal communication. Join us as we explore the delicate dance of dialogue, where we roleplay various scenarios, dissect how not to handle difficult conversations, and provide expert guidance on how to navigate them with finesse. In each episode, we'll dive into real-life situations, from workplace conflicts to personal disputes, and showcase the pitfalls of miscommunication. We will demonstrate how not to approach these challenges, illustrating common mistakes we all make. Learn with us as we uncover the strategies, techniques, and insights that empower you to approach difficult conversations with confidence and compassion. Tune in to "The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations" and transform your interactions for the better. Because when we communicate better, we live better. Want to be a guest on our podcast? Let us know! https://bit.ly/3z4Sn5w

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