In this episode, I respond to a listener question about whether forging common ground is ultimately about individuals or systems — and explain why I see it as both.

I explore how individual skills form the foundation for larger cultural and systemic change, and why leaders play a critical role in scaling those skills across organizations.

I also clarify a key concept from the previous episode: the difference between communication styles and conflict styles. Drawing on the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS), I introduce a simple two-dimensional model and walk you through how to identify your own baseline conflict style.

Along the way, I explain why conflict triggers habitual behavior, why context matters, and why high-trust relationships offer the clearest window into how we actually show up in conflict.

Finally, I offer you the opportunity to take the full ICS assessment.

This pod is all about community. Let's build this thing together!

Two ways to reach me / provide feedback:

1. Email: [email protected]
2. This Google Form

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My book, Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World, is available wherever you get your books, including here. 

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Three topics this time:

1. A listener response about communication styles
2. More reflections on identity, and how our sense of self can get in the way of forging common ground
3. Something even spicier than communication styles: conflict styles!

This pod is all about community. Let's build this thing together!

Two ways to reach me / provide feedback:

1. Email: [email protected]
2. This Google Form

You can join my mailing list here.

My book, Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World, is available wherever you get your books, including here. 

Please hit FOLLOW and rate the pod 5 stars to help folks find it, and to not miss an episode.

Thank you!

A story about the challenges of bridging communication styles, plus some thoughts on how our sense of who we are can get in the way of forging common ground.

This pod is all about community. Let's build this thing together!

Two ways to reach me / provide feedback:

1. Email: [email protected]
2. This Google Form

You can join my mailing list here.

My book, Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World, is available wherever you get your books, including here. 

Please hit FOLLOW and rate the pod 5 stars to help folks find it, and to not miss an episode.

Thank you!

I close the loop on communication styles and why they're a case study for a much deeper issue: seeing ourselves as the source of...well, pretty much everything. That is, if we're serious about forging common ground.

This pod is all about community. Let's build this thing together!

Two ways to reach me / provide feedback:

1. Email: [email protected]
2. This Google Form

You can join my mailing list here.

My book, Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World, is available wherever you get your books, including here. 

Please hit FOLLOW and rate the pod 5 stars to help folks find it, and to not miss an episode.

Thank you!

In this episode of Forging Common Ground, I reflect on feedback from the previous episode, focusing on gender and generational differences in the workplace. I discuss the importance of understanding communication styles, particularly the tension between direct and indirect communicators, and how these differences can lead to misunderstandings. And I address the need for leaders to create environments that foster open communication psychological safety.

In the episode I refer to two blog posts from last fall, which you can find here and here. I also refer to the work of Susan David.

This pod is all about community. Let's build this thing together!

Two ways to reach me / provide feedback:

1. Email: [email protected]
2. This Google Form

You can join my mailing list here.

My book, Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World, is available wherever you get your books, including here. 

Please hit FOLLOW and rate the pod 5 stars to help folks find it, and to not miss an episode.

Thank you!

Welcome to Forging Common Ground!

This pod is all about community. Let's build this thing together!

Two ways to reach me / provide feedback:

1. Email: [email protected]
2. This Google Form

You can join my mailing list here.

My book, Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World, is available wherever you get your books, including here. 

Please hit FOLLOW and rate the pod 5 stars to help folks find it, and to not miss an episode.

Thank you!