Leadership Skills for Tough Talks: How Difficult Conversations Improve Workplace Communication

The Business Fix

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Most of us try to dodge tough conversations at work, but avoiding them only creates bigger problems.

In this episode of The Business Fix, Chrissy and Josh unpack what it takes to confidently navigate the sweaty, uncomfortable moments that most business owners and managers try to avoid. Whether you’re managing performance issues, dealing with employee feedback, or preparing to set clear expectations, you’ll walk away with actionable leadership skills you can implement immediately.

From layoffs and late arrivals to navigating client breakups, the duo dives deep into the art of direct communication while preserving empathy at work.

Chrissy shares one of her favorite leadership development tools: the DEARMAN GIVE FAST framework — a proven HR best practice grounded in emotional intelligence and behavior-based feedback. You’ll learn how to stay focused, communicate clearly, and address performance concerns in a way that supports organizational health and employee retention.

Josh brings humor and practical perspective to the mix, highlighting why “winging it” is not a leadership strategy. You’ll hear how to build a communication strategy that enhances workplace communication and team leadership, all while reinforcing a healthy business culture.

If you've ever stumbled through a difficult conversation or avoided one until it became a crisis, this episode will help you turn those moments into milestones for growth... for you, your team, and your company.

If you're looking to get help with your culture, or to help out an entire group, reach out to Josh and Chrissy today! We would love to see how we can help you, your business, or your event. Contact us!

ClarityHR is your fractional HR team, giving you real people, real support, and real solutions. Whether it’s compliance headaches, hiring struggles, or just needing someone to take the people stuff off your plate — we’ve got your back. So if you’re ready to stop using duct-tape and hope as your HR strategy and finally get some peace of mind, head over to ClarityHR.com

If you're looking to start your own podcast or maybe you just want to add the next level of professionalism to your podcast and brand, you should be working with the producers behind The Business Fix at Pedal Stomper Productions. Click the link to learn more about how you can get your podcast to the next level. https://www.pedalstomperproductions.com

🎙 Ready to Fix What’s Holding Your Business Back?
The Business Fix podcast delivers real-world strategies to grow your business, lead your team, and reclaim your time. New episodes drop weekly—packed with insights for business owners and managers who want to do better.

🔗 Connect with Chrissy and Josh at https://www.businessfixpodcast.com/ for more tools, support, and clarity.

Enjoy the episode? Leave us a review, share it with your leadership team, and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments!

챕터

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Why Difficult Conversations Matter for Every Leader (00:01:02)

3. Quotes That Change How You See Conflict (00:02:43)

4. Why Delay Makes Every Problem Worse (00:03:50)

5. The DEARMAN GIVE FAST Framework Explained (00:07:08)

6. How to Stay Honest Without Losing Authority (00:15:50)

7. Listening to Listen, Not Just Respond (00:18:09)

8. Performance Talks: Why Mixed Messages Kill Progress (00:21:54)

9. Preparation is Power: Don’t Wing It (00:22:56)

10. The Sh*t Sandwich Myth: What NOT to Do (00:26:12)

11. Balancing Directness and Empathy at Work (00:27:36)

12. Real-Life Example: Handling Chronic Lateness with Care (00:31:06)

13. The Ripple Effect of Mishandled Conversations (00:34:14)

14. Why Winging It Isn’t a Leadership Strategy (00:36:39)

15. Action Steps: How Leaders Can Nail Tough Talks (00:40:16)

16. Wrap-Up & What’s Next: Strategic Planning (00:44:57)