Hosts: Renee Chiuchiarelli & Julie Parks

In this Trade Tip Tuesday episode of Simply Trade Tips, Renee Chiuchiarelli and Julie Parks continue their Difficult Conversations series by shifting perspectives — from the pitcher to the catcher.

Not every tough conversation is initiated by you. Sometimes, you’re on the receiving end — caught off guard, underprepared, or unsure how to respond in the moment. This episode provides a practical framework to help trade professionals listen, respond, and lead with clarity when they’re the ones being approached.

Using the same GGCC acronym introduced in the previous episode, Renee and Julie walk through how to apply it when you’re the listener, ensuring difficult discussions remain productive, respectful, and solutions-focused.

When you’re the catcher in a difficult conversation, use the GGCC framework:

G — Gratitude

G — Gravity

C — Clarify & Commit

C — Closing (Consider, Comply, or Reject)

In trade compliance, logistics, customs, and global operations, difficult conversations are unavoidable — from resource constraints and compliance gaps to performance concerns and project pressures.

How you receive these conversations is just as important as how you initiate them. This framework helps:

Reduce defensiveness

Build trust and credibility

Create space for thoughtful, compliant decision-making

Strengthen leadership communication skills

Take a moment to pause and take inventory.

Ask yourself:

What difficult conversations might be coming my way?

What issues may be bubbling up in my team or organization?

Where could someone need clarity, support, or a decision from me?

Being mentally prepared — even without knowing specifics — allows you to respond with intention instead of reaction.

Once you’ve done your FIO, head into the Trade Geeks Community and let us know how it went.

👉 Trade Geeks Community

This episode builds directly on the previous discussion about being the pitcher. Be sure to listen to both — and don’t miss the upcoming role-play episode where Renee and Julie bring both perspectives together.

Hosts:

Renee Chiuchiarelli

Julie Parks

Producer:

Lalo Solorzano

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Presented by:

📧 [email protected]

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