If you are in the midst of a difficult conversation, this episode of the GLS Podcast is a can’t-miss! Sheila Heen’s research unearthed the three common layers that exist in every difficult conversation. In Part 1 of this interview (Episode 031), Sheila unpacked the “What Happened? Conversation.” In this episode, you will learn about the “Feelings Conversation” and “Identity Conversation.” Get equipped on how to turn your difficult conversations into productive and authentic exchanges.

Do you need to have a difficult conversation with someone but don’t know how to start? In this episode, Harvard lecturer Sheila Heen unpacks the challenging dynamics of these conversations and explores some common ways people get stuck. In part one of this two-part episode, she discusses the “What Happened? Conversation.”

Is your workday weighed down by unproductive busyness, endless emails and unnecessary meetings? Do you move from one project to another with no space for thoughtfulness and reflection? In this episode, productivity expert Juliet Funt discusses her concept of WhiteSpace, the strategic pause between activities that is both recuperative and constructive. She explains why we often feel paralyzed by the pace of our workdays and shares a number of practical tips we can use to reclaim productivity and build WhiteSpace into our days.

At its core, leadership is influence. It is not simply possessing a position or title. John C. Maxwell developed The Five Levels of Leadership to help people understand the journey a leader takes over time. As leaders progress through the levels, they grow their leadership capabilities. In this episode, Jeff Lockyer and John dig into each of the five levels, helping listeners understand the progression of leadership growth and the practical steps necessary to increase their leadership impact.

The difference between high performers and the highest performers often comes down to interpersonal skills. According to Dr. Henry Cloud, the basic interpersonal skill of listening may be the most effective way for leaders to build trust. In this episode, Henry explores the connection between listening, trust and performance with host Kim Simios. Uncovering counterintuitive and practical insights, they dig into why listening is important, the barriers to effective listening and how leaders can grow their listening skills.

Leadership is intentional influence, and the most enduring kind of influence results when other people actually change their behavior based on your leadership. This episode features Joseph Grenny, a leading social scientist for business performance. He shares his research-based insights into how influence works so that leaders can leverage their impact to change people’s behavior for the better.

Liz Wiseman and Jeff Lockyer discuss the important leadership skill of empowerment. Going deep into Wiseman’s Multiplier and Diminisher concepts, this conversation focuses on the ways leaders unintentionally diminish those around them. Wiseman calls these leaders the Accidental Diminishers—well-intentioned leaders who may not even realize that they are having a diminishing impact. In this episode, you can learn how to: 1) Identify your Accidental Diminisher tendencies, 2) Deal with a Diminisher boss, 3) Experiment with new strategies to empower your team.

Leaders who are told to "leave it all on the field" are often left burned out with nothing to give. But what if there were a different way to lead? In this episode, Albert Tate, pastor of Fellowship Monrovia, explains that our job is to prepare what we have, surrender it to God and allow Him to multiply our efforts.

What is leadership? A fully-defined framework can help leaders understand what is required of them to move their organization into the future. In this episode, Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, shares her leadership framework by defining the four critical functions of leadership.

How do you build a life of significance? In this episode, pastor and author Jeff Manion shares how truly great lives are built on the foundation of a holy redundancy—a persistence and determination to move faithfully in the right direction. Whether in our homes, businesses or ministries, a consistent faithfulness will ultimately lead to lasting results.