By Chris Wong & Lucie Tesarova
The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
Are you being the “real you” in conversations?
Not many people would disagree that productive conversations mean both sides being open and honest.
Easier said than done.
How do you create an environment where the other person feels safe enough to be open and honest? More importantly, how do you be honest too?
In this episode, Chris and Lucie interview Grace Gavin, a communication expert who emphasizes the importance of honesty and openness in creating strong connections. Grace shares her personal journey of learning to communicate more effectively and introduces her six key practices for mastering communication. Grace discusses how to implement these practices in personal and professional relationships, and how they can transform communication, even in challenging situations.
Key Takeaways:
• It’s important to be both open AND honest. Openness meaning listening without reservation or judgement and honesty meaning being truly and freely yourself
• The six practices she recommends to enhance communication skills
• The importance of balancing honesty with empathy and love
• How to balance giving bad news, even when you don’t have all the information
Grace is an open and honest expert, helping leaders simplify their communication and eliminate the divides that exist within organizations. As co-founder of Know Honesty, she guides people towards becoming masterful communicators day in and day out. Having experienced the transformative power of openness and honesty, Grace is on a mission to help others create that same freedom in their own lives.
Grace brings her heartfelt approach to every event, workshop, and interaction. She believes deeply that every human being brings a unique perspective to the world and that we all deserve to be heard and respected.
Visit Grace Gavin’s website, www.KnowHonesty.com, to take the free communication assessment and learn more about her book, Know Honesty. Connect with Grace on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
Contact Grace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-gavin/
Get the Book “Know Honesty” here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBM4MCJJ
Contact Us
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
How to prepare for difficult conversations webinar (and the checklist) https://bit.ly/TASWeb01
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
What To Do When a High Performer Slacks After a Promotion?
Today’s episode is a deep dive into the complexities of leadership. Chris and Lucie tackle a challenging scenario where a top performer begins to drop the ball after a recent promotion. They discuss ways to understand underlying issues—whether insecurity, new role challenges, or overconfidence—and provide practical guidance for supporting employees while upholding performance standards.
Topics Discussed:
Any other ideas, what has worked for you? Let us know!
Contact Us
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
How to prepare for difficult conversations webinar (and the checklist) https://bit.ly/TASWeb01
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
Whether you’re interested in understanding family dynamics, navigating generational trauma, or fostering connection through meaningful conversations, this episode offers powerful insights and practical takeaways.
Today’s special guest is Becky Ellis, author of her debut memoir, Little Avalanches. In our conversation, Becky shares how tough yet healing discussions with her father, a WWII veteran, transformed her life. We explore what made these conversations both challenging and healing, and how empathy emerged through deeper understanding. Join us as we dive into themes of vulnerability, authenticity, courage, and the healing impact that difficult conversations can have.
About Becky:
Becky Ellis is a Timberwolf Pup. The daughter of a highly decorated World War II combat sergeant, she is a veteran of a war fought at home. She earned a BA in English Literature at UC Berkeley and has over twenty years of experience in the publishing industry. Her writing has appeared in Psychology Today, Northwest Review, The Ethel, Best Small Fictions, and The Rudder. She teaches writing in Portland, Oregon, where she lives, plays, and has raised three daughters. Little Avalanches is her debut memoir. You can find more about her at beckyellis.net
Connect with Becky:
Website: beckyellis.net
Instagram: @beckyellisauthor
Facebook: becky.ellis.9081
Linkedin: becky-ellis
YouTube: @beckyellisauthor
Newsletter: https://beckyellis.net/connect-1
Connect with us:
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
Difficult Conversations Newsletter
Want more updates on how to handle difficult conversations? Grab your weekly copy here: www.tinyurl.com/leadershippotential
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Navigating Holiday Decisions: Whose Family Do We Spend It With?
In today’s episode, Chris and Lucie dive into a common holiday dilemma many couples face: deciding whose family to spend holidays with. They explore the complexities of family dynamics, travel, and emotions, offering strategies for managing these conversations without compromising relationships. They roleplay a discussion between a married couple working through holiday plans, highlighting how empathy, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving can lead to more harmonious decisions.
Key Takeaways:
Have you faced a similar situation? How do you navigate holiday plans with family? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a review!
Difficult Conversations Newsletter
Want more updates on how to handle difficult conversations? Grab your weekly copy here: www.tinyurl.com/leadershippotential
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
We love communication here at the Art and Science of Difficult Conversations. In fact, that’s our tagline, “Communicate better, live better”. But in the pursuit of more open and transparent communication, does the pendulum swing too far in the opposite direction? Are there times when we don’t need to communicate about a topic?
That’s our focus today, when we have a lively dialogue with Ahad just about that topic, are there times we should hold off on communicating?
Ahad is originally from Pakistan and currently lives in the Netherlands as a data consultant working with organizations to get more intentional and persuasive with their data to make decisions. He also hosts his own podcast, The Weekly Vasl.
Follow Ahad here:
Difficult Conversations Newsletter
Want more updates on how to handle difficult conversations? Grab your weekly copy here: www.tinyurl.com/leadershippotential
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
In this episode, we discuss how to handle situations where a high-performing employee or leader is creating interpersonal challenges in the workplace. Whether you're a manager, team member, or leader, dealing with someone who excels technically but struggles with people skills can be tricky. We explore the risks of not addressing the issue, strategies for providing constructive feedback, and how to prepare for these tough conversations. Plus, we roleplay a common scenario to demonstrate key techniques. Join us for practical tips and insights on managing difficult workplace dynamics.
Key Topics:
Takeaways:
Difficult Conversations Newsletter
Want more updates on how to handle difficult conversations? Grab your weekly copy here: www.tinyurl.com/leadershippotential
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
What can you say if your wife wants a separation? Or a divorce?
If you’re like most men, you’ll feel blindsided and/or you’ll immediately try to figure out how to solve this problem. Unfortunately, that’s actually not the right way to approach it at all.
In this week’s episode, Lucie and Chris talk with Randy, an experienced relationship coach focused on helping separated husbands reconnect with their wives. His faith-based methods center around growing closer to Christ and becoming the best version of ourselves, which provides the greatest chance of reconciling marriages.
Here he shares his best tips, including:
Why talking about it may not actually be the best option
Randy collaborates with professionals, business owners, and executives. Good men who accept responsibility for their part in the breakdown of their marriage and seek to reconnect with their wives. Through live sessions and actionable strategies, Randy and his coaches support them while holding them accountable, ensuring their relationships improve.
Before coaching, Randy was a professional comedy magician/juggler on cruise ships all over the world. His previous experience in the “funny business” helps lighten the mood when discussing the serious topics of separation and divorce, and helps husbands realize that, with Christ, there is ALWAYS hope.
Connect with Randy here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachrandypryor/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hopeforseparatedhusbands
Website: https://RandyPryor.com or http://SOSRandy.com
Difficult Conversations Newsletter
Want more updates on how to handle difficult conversations? Grab your weekly copy here: www.tinyurl.com/leadershippotential
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
In this episode, Chris and Lucie discuss what to do when someone keeps interrupting you while you speak, or, when you are the one who keeps interrupting others and want to stop :)
Key Takeaways:
Reasons for Interrupting:
How to Stop Interrupting Yourself:
How to Deal with People who Interrupt:
Any other ideas, what has worked for you?
Let us know!
Contact Us
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
Navigating Political Conversations at Work
Politics can seem super divisive. And really, how do we talk about it in the workplace?
In this episode, We talk with Chris, a diversity, inclusion, and belonging expert at Navy Federal Credit Union about the challenges of navigating political conversations in the workplace, particularly during a charged election season.
Here are some key takeaways from the episode:
Chris Geggie is a leadership development coach whose passion is helping people discover their authentic voice. Drawing from his experience as a teacher and community organizer, Geggie has coached electoral candidates and business leaders to guide themselves and others toward ethical decision making and the strategic execution of their vision, mission, and goals. He is currently an internal business consultant with Navy Federal Credit Union’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging team and lives with his partner and dog in Baltimore, MD.
Connect with Chris Geggie here:
Linkedin - Www.LinkedIn.com/in/chrisgeggie/
Contact Us
Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/tas.difficultconvos
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
#difficultconversations #politics #talkingaboutpolitics #howtotalkpoliticsatwork
Setting boundaries with our family members might be the most difficult thing for many of us, yet not doing so might be very detrimental to our well-being and other relationships.
Imagine that your parent cannot stand your spouse and is very vocal about it. What do you do in that situation? How do you address it?
Tune in today's episode and see what from we share resonates with you.
Have you faced that situation in your family? How did you address it? What worked for you, what didn't? Let us know! Let's learn together, have better conversations and better relationships, and ultimately, a better quality of life.
Sign up for the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to
Contact Us
Email – [email protected]
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova #difficultconversations #settingboundaries #boundariesinrelationships #relationships #communicationskills #impactfulconversations
The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.