We’ve just wrapped our “Turning Down the Tension in Tough Talks” webinar, and I’m pleased to have crossed the finish line, sending off the recording alongside a few special extras to those who joined us. Plus, our post-session emails are enroute to enliven continued conversation.
Now, in the quiet after the webinar, I’m sifting through my thoughts. Did the session resonate? Did we bridge the gap between theory and meaningful discussion in the ways I hoped?
Seeing the registrations and active participation int the webinar sparked enthusiasm. Though, one attendee’s early exit caught my attention and prompted me to reflect and analyze many things.
I find myself asking:
- Did my marketing messages align with expectations?
- Were the concepts I presented sparking insight?
- And at the core, was my delivery sufficiently engaging and dynamic?
It’s not lost to me that sometimes, no matter how much dedication we pour into our craft, not everything lands as intended. One of our attendees, after a two-year journey with us, departed not only the webinar but also unsubscribed from the Leaders Exchange Sandbox. Ouch! Don Miguel Ruiz’s wisdom from “The Four Agreements” echoes in my mind: don’t take anything personally and steer clear of assumptions.
Yet here I am, reflecting on these very tendencies.
It’s easy to forget the simple truths: that attendance doesn’t guarantee engagement, that urgent matters can disrupt intentions, and that initial connections are just the beginning of building trust.
In the spirit of our recent topic, I’m embracing this moment to open up and delve into the ‘tough talk’ we all sometimes need to have with others. It parallels tough talks that Leaders need to host. Imagine a team member quietly leaving a meeting early with a look of dissatisfaction, their silence filled by our assumptions. The difference for leaders is that we can – and must – seek understanding.
During our webinar, I laid out the blueprint for achieving win-win conversations through Mindset, Skillset, and Matchset. Begin with genuine curiosity, ask open questions, and truly listen. Once both perspectives are aired, shape an agreed roadmap forward.
These dialogues are undeniably demanding. They require time, space and our full presence, something that seems like a luxury amidst urgent priorities. But the cost of avoidance can be high as trust erodes and morale suffers.
Transparency is the currency of relationships, and it’s through open dialogue that we engineer trust and motivation. I am fully commited to providing and receiving the straight goods. In the words of my mentor, Judith Glaser: “Everything happens through conversation.”
So I ask… do you have tough talks you would like to host with greater ease? And…do you want to hear more about my solution… Mindset – Skillset – Matchset? I want the Leadership Exchange Sandbox to be a jumping off point for dialogue…not just me talking into your email inbox!