Unlocking Workplace Success: Mastering Difficult Conversations
By Helen Wada with Sarah Rozenthuler
In the recent episode of the Human Wise Podcast, I had the distinct pleasure of diving into the art of conversation with Sarah Rozenthuler, a global leadership expert and author with profound insights into the human dimension of work. This conversation explored the subtleties and power of effectively communicating in the workplace.
Embracing Authenticity in Communication
Sarah Rozenthuler opens up about her journey and the importance of authenticity in building meaningful dialogues
Sarah: "I'm a friendly soul, overall hard-working would probably be acknowledged as well... creative interested in, yeah, some of the deeper dimensions of life."
Sarah's story embodies the strength found in genuine self-expression at work.
The Impact of Dialogue on Career Pathways
One standout tale from Sarah's life illustrates the transformative power of a single conversation. At 17, a pivotal discussion with her mother steered her career path from architecture to psychology.
Sarah: "...a huge weight lift off my shoulders. And I just thought my mum is right... I'm interested in people."
Sarah's narrative underscores how a brief, meaningful exchange can redirect one's life path, highlighting that conversations can be critical interventions for change.
Building Trust and Rapport
As the episode progresses, we unearth the foundational elements of successful dialogue. Sarah emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space, or a "container," for communication, particularly in challenging or team scenarios.
Sarah: "Safety, psychological safety is necessary but not sufficient for having a difficult conversation sometimes because we need other qualities alongside safety."
Helen: "For those people that may be just hearing this for the first time, from a practical perspective, what can I do to start thinking about the conversations I have?"
Secrets to Effective Dialogue
Sarah introduces her four secrets of effective dialogue in her book "Now We're Talking," with practical advice for leaders seeking to improve their communication:
Find Your Ground: Prepare mentally and emotionally before engaging in conversation.
Build a Bridge: Cultivate trust and rapport through authentic speaking and active listening.
Read the Room: Recognize and adapt to the dynamics within group conversations.
Hold Space: Maintain presence and composure during challenging discussions.
Sarah: "All sustainable outer change... is preceded by inner change... there's these four secrets, or four interventions..."
Overcoming Fear in Conversations
Both Sarah and I acknowledge the common fear surrounding difficult discussions, providing strategies to ease this apprehension.
Sarah: "What would I say if I had no fear of the consequences?... And so you might then realize what you really want to do."
Helen: "Reframe that in a way that it can be helpful to you... It's the natural fear. For having difficult conversations."
Final Takeaways and Practical Advice
Our conversation wraps up with Sarah offering actionable insights for our listeners.
Sarah: "Both do your prep really, I think to maximize the likelihood of a good outcome... and therefore the importance of picking your moment."
This episode serves as a reminder of the unique impact our conversations can have, emphasizing a balance between preparation and adaptability.
For more enriching conversations, explore Sarah Rozenthuler’s work including “Now We're Talking.” Her insights promise to enhance your conversational skills, whether in leadership roles or everyday workplace scenarios.
To hear our full discussion, listen to the podcast episode with Sarah Rozenthuler here.
Stay connected with Sarah Rozenthuler on LinkedIn and explore her writing for deeper dives into mastering the art of dialogue.
Human Wise releases new episodes weekly and can be accessed on all major podcast platforms.