How to have a hard conversation

886. Is your team's deep knowledge actually preventing them from seeing the next big breakthrough? In this episode, Rachel explores the "expertise trap"—the moment when having all the answers stops us from seeing new possibilities. She explains why traditional brainstorming often ... Show More

885. In a world of constant meetings and shifting priorities, why does it feel like we’re repeating the same "to-do" list every six months? This week, Rachel gets into the "bad patterns" that keep teams stuck in a loop of false comfort. We often mistake saying we need to change f ... Show More

884. In this episode, Rachel Cooke and author Carmine Gallo explore the biological reality that the human brain is hardwired to ignore anything it deems "boring". If you want your message to land, you have to work with the brain’s chemistry, not against it.Engineering Memory: Lea ... Show More

With all the time you spend at work, you tend to get comfortable around your peers, which can lead to talking more freely than you should. However, regardless of your friendly relationship with your coworkers, there are definite red flag conversations to avoid in the office.Moder ... Show More

<p>Stanford professor, author, and podcast host Matt Abrahams is back on the show to share simple tips that will help you think faster and talk smarter. You’ll learn:</p><ul><li>How to manage speaking anxiety symptoms</li><li>Simple ways to structure your communication for the au ... Show More

A leader, initially described to his coach as clueless, confronts a hard truth about himself. In the process, he gains a four-step tool to guide him through tough conversations. Core Concepts in this episode: To convey a tough message and maintain a positive relationship: 1. Star ... Show More

Whether you’re about to go nuts due to a stressful situation or just want to add a little extra color to a conversation, determining when and how to curse in the office is something to be handled very carefully. Modern Manners Guy is hosted by Richie Frieman. A transcript is avai ... Show More

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of silence, but learning often happens when we create distance for useful refle ... Show More

<p>Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance, and setting ourselves up for difficulty. But what if you reframed the whole idea, to think of a negotiation not as a fight, but ... Show More

Have you ever made a comment in a meeting that was met with silence? A silence that felt like hours, and you had no option but to wait for that awkward moment to be over? We’ve all been there. But having awkward moments at work doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, this week's ... Show More

In this week's Ask the Expert episode Sarah talks to London Business School professor and author, Herminia Ibarra. Together they discuss the concept of outsight and how doing new things and interacting with different people can set you up for career success. Herminia also shares ... Show More

<p>Both verbal and nonverbal communication are critical interpersonal skills. Listening to others, observing their reactions, speaking in a way that promotes understanding and connection, using body language—these are all essential to our leadership development. Effective leaders ... Show More

<p>Communication is a critical skill for success—and the truth is — the more confident you are at communicating your ideas, successes, and needs, the more you will be seen as a leader and as leadership material. Danielle Robay, a journalist and Pretty Smart podcast host will teac ... Show More