Talk Like a Leader

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Tips, techniques, and insights for more effective leadership communication. Learn to apply powerful communication strategies to coach, inspire, and resolve conflict situations as a leader.

Guy Harris


    • Dec 13, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 10m AVG DURATION
    • 194 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Talk Like a Leader

    Commas and Periods

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 10:26


    The Best Way to Resolve Conflicts that Develop by Email

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 7:47


    How You Listen Matters as Much as How You Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 8:57


    The filter you apply when you listen to another person matters as much as the way you adjust your delivery for them to hear you better.

    People Are MORE Important than Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 8:38


    It's Good to THINK Before You Speak

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2022 8:18


    [Re-Release] Leading Remotely: The Importance of Intentionality

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 13:22


    This episode is from 2020, but there are still a lot of important lessons about remote work that are still relevant now. Hope you enjoy! "As working from home stretches to months rather than weeks, leaders find themselves planning for and communicating about longer time horizons while working from home and communicating with their teams who are also working from home. This week, I'm revisiting and building upon a piece of advice that my colleague Wayne Turmel shared in an episode we recorded in March of this year – When You Suddenly Find Yourself Leading Remotely. The specific issue is the need for more intentionality in a remote work world." Additional Leadership Resources Listen to Wayne Turmel on Long-Distance Worklife Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Subscribe to the Podcast Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to this podcast through the options below. iTunes Stitcher Google Play TuneIn RSS Or your favorite podcast app

    How to Get People to Listen to You

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 11:05


    Capture and Confirm Attention

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2022 13:03


    Final Thoughts from The Rules of Civil Conversation

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2022 14:00


    Getting Past Your Filters: The Halo Effect

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2022 10:03


    Getting Past Your Filters: The Curse of Knowledge

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2022 10:42


    Once you know something and it is obvious to you, it can be difficult to understand how it is not obvious to someone else. This "curse of knowledge" can then become a barrier to effective communication. In this episode, I'm sharing four steps that help me to overcome this communication challenge. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Getting Past Your Filters: Fundamental Attribution Error

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 18:10


    Avoiding Logical Fallacies: Ad hominem and Genetic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 17:20


    This episode, like the episode last week, is what I like to call a "lighthouse" episode. It's more about what to watch out for than what to do. I'm continuing my discussion of ideas that inspired me from therulesofcivilconversation.org. Two more logical fallacies to beware of: the ad hominem and genetic fallacies. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Avoiding Logical Fallacies: Black-or-White and Middle Ground

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2022 12:10


    This episode examines how two common logical fallacies - Black-or-white thinking and Middle Ground solutions - can get in the way of effective leadership and leadership communication. Additional Leadership Resources YourFallacy.is therulesofcivilconversation.org Kind is Not Weak Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Reaching Shared Understanding

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2022 11:27


    continues the discussion about The Rules of Civil Conversation

    How to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 12:25


    Have you ever had a conversation with someone and you thought: "What is wrong with them?" I have, and it usually does not help me to communicate better if I linger on the thought. In this episode, I'll offer some thoughts on how to get past that thought and to disagree without being disagreeable. Additional Leadership Resources The Rules of Civil Conversation Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate by Roger Fisher Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Feedback Sandwiches Usually Taste Bad

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 11:44


    Stop Using Constructive Criticism and Do This Instead

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2022 12:36


    Constructive criticism rarely delivers the results you want. It tends to be received badly and to have little to no positive impact on performance. In this episode I'm addressing why it so often goes badly and what you can do instead. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Separate Impact from Intent

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 10:05


    Humans love to look for patterns and reasons for things and then to build stories that explain what they observe. That tendency can create communication problems when we let the stories we tell ourselves about other peoples intentions get in the way of discussing the impact of their words and actions. In this episode, I'm exploring this idea and how it interferes with our communication effectiveness. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Is Conflict Always a Bad Thing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2022 10:17


    Conflict sounds bad. Few people look forward to "conflict" discussions. More people avoid or look to escape conflict discussions than actively participate in them. Conflict certainly has a negative emotional aspect for most people. Is conflict always a bad thing, though? In this episode I'll explore this question and offer a perspective to help you build your conflict confidence as a leader. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Six Questions for Collaborative Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2022 10:49


    Collaboration is a big part of team work and joint problem solving. Leading a team meeting, coaching a team member on their performance, setting goals with people, and resolving conflicts are all collaborative problem-solving conversations. Collaboration can be difficult – especially when emotions are high, time is short, or both. Fortunately, there is a pretty simple six-step pattern you can follow to reliably lead to collaborative solutions. In this episode, we'll cover six questions you can ask to lead the conversation successfully through this six-step process. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted.

    Kind is not Weak

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2022 5:09


    People often confuse kindness for weakness, and that can create problems. You do not have to be unkind in order to be strong. In this episode, I'll comment on the difference between these two ideas and how it affects leadership communication. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Vulnerability Makes Connections

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2022 9:34


    Recently, I had an experience with about 120 young people aged 15-20 that taught me a lesson about the power of vulnerability to connect with people. This episode shares that experience and what I learned. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    [REPOST] How to Be Assertive Without Being a Jerk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 10:48


    Using assertive communication can help your to communicate more clearly and completely, and it has a risk. It's possible to try to communicate assertively and slip over the line in to aggressive, jerk-like communication. In this episode, I'll share three key principles (and two bonus principles) to help you strike the balance between being too passive and too aggressive. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Three Ways to Irritate Others and How to Correct It Stay Positive, Avoid Negative Three Things to Consider Before You Choose a Communication Technique Make Yourself Non-Threatening Communicate in a Way That Does NOT Convey Threat

    Overcoming the Pull of the Past – Dealing with Leadership Undertow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 9:10


    When you step in to leadership, you inherit all of the good and bad of past leadership decisions for people who sat in your current seat in the past. Dealing with the negative expectations that can create can be a frustrating leadership challenge. In this episode, I'm offering a path forward. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Oh No, I Made a Mistake I Knew How to Avoid!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2022 8:54


    This week I was working in my shop, and I made a mistake that I new how to avoid. How is that possible? Both the answer to that question is in this episode and how the lesson connects to leadership communication is in this episode. Follow: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio or your favorite podcast player. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    Resolving Conflicts with Other Leaders in Your Organization

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2022 9:39


    In a recent workshop, I got a question related to how conflict resolution with other leaders might be different from conflict resolution within the team you lead. In this episode, I'm addressing the answer to that question. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    How to Discipline and Employee After You Tried Everything Else

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2022 13:07


    You have tried everything you can think of. You have encouraged, corrected, and taught, and, still, they keep doing that annoying thing. What do you do next? Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn. Related Episodes The Do's and Don'ts of Coaching Conversations

    Longing for the Past vs Looking to the future

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 9:36


    As much of the business world transitions from work from home to some version of hybrid or full work from the office scenario, leaders face the difficulty of addressing new expecations from their team members and other changes from what was considered “normal” before the pandemic hit with full force. In this episode, I'm looking at a mindset shift that can help you navigate these changes more successfully. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Check out our video series, What You Should Do in the First 45 Days of Your New Role. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on LinkedIn.

    The Impact of Relationship, Message, and Context

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2022 7:45


    Three factors affect every element in your communication effort – relationship, message, and context. In this episode, I'll touch on what each of these elements means and how they affect your communication efforts. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook.

    Three Steps for Handling a Persistently Negative Team Member

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 9:46


    Assume (at least) Benign Intent

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 9:21


    Today I got this question in a class: “How do you listen for content rather than delivery?” The answer: “assume (at least) benign intent.” Listen to the full answer in this episode. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Leading Remotely: The Importance of Intentionality

    How to Coach a Team Member Who is Doing Nothing Right

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 13:36


    A common question I get is: “How do I coach a team member who is doing nothing right?” In this episode, I'll share some thoughts and some strategies for how to approach this situation. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Team Member to Team Mate with Wayne Turmel

    Consider Alternate Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 8:51


    This weeks episode is about helping you to elevate conversations rather than escalate situations by the way you respond. Considering alternate stories is a powerful took in you leadership communication toolbox. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook.

    Long-Distance Worklife

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 1:44


    In the Long-Distance Worklife Wayne Turmel, a remote leadership expert, teams up with Marisa Eikenberry to answer questions about working remotely and help you lead, work, and thrive in remote and hybrid teams. We'll look at the way we work in remote and hybrid teams. Each week, we bring you provocative discussions about what it takes to work remotely, master technology, develop your leadership skills, and just plain survive the way we're expected to work today. We'll bring you new and exciting voices in the world of remote and hybrid work. In addition to conversations with diverse and unique voices, Wayne and Marisa will take your questions, making us the most relevant source for navigating the Long-Distance Worklife. Additional Resources: Learn more about Wayne Turmel Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate The Remote Leadership Institute The Kevin Eikenberry Group

    Short, Frequent Conversations Beat Long, Infrequent Ones

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 6:35


    The number of conversations you have with people is more important than the length of the conversations. Being mindful of the number of times you connect with people more than the length of time can help you become a better communicator. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook.

    The Power of Meta Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 11:16


    Meta conversations are basically conversations about conversations. As confusing as that sounds, they help you clear things up. In this episode, I'm talking about what meta conversations are, how they help, and how you can do them better. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Expectations vs Reality

    Experience Can Numb You to the Struggles of Others

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 7:56


    This episode is the second lesson illustrated by an experience I had with my grandchildren, and it builds on my last episode – Expectations vs Reality. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Expectations vs Reality

    Expectations vs. Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 8:41


    This week, I'm sharing an experience I recently had with my grandchildren that illustrates a key leadership principle that connects expectations, the reality of an experience, and satisfaction/happiness. Follow: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio or your favorite podcast player. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook.

    Faith vs. Fear in Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 15:04


    This week, I have my friend and colleague Carl Smith as my guest. Join us as we discuss faith vs fear in our communication choices, mindsets, and behaviors. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes The Coaching Mindset with Carl Smith Leadership Communication Mindset with Carl Smith

    Get on Their Side of the Table

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 8:26


    This week, I discussed a peer-to-peer situation with a workshop participant, and it reminded me of a general communication principle that applies to conversations with all people. The general principle for effective problem solving with other people is to get on their side of the table. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes In Search of Positive Stay Positive, Avoid Negative

    Use Affirmative Statements

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 6:46


    This week, I'll share a simple and powerful concept that will significantly improve the clarity of your communication efforts. It applies to both spoken and written communication. The idea is this: use affirmative statements. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes In Search of Positive Stay Positive, Avoid Negative

    Have the Difficult Conversation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 10:11


    Most people avoid difficult conversations because, well, they are difficult. Very few people enjoy confronting difficult situations, and it is the job of the leader to do so. In this episode, I'll look at why you need to have the difficult conversation and how to do it without being a jerk. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Three Questions You Can Use for Coaching Conversations The Seven Deadly Sins of Conflict Resolution

    6 Books for Your Reading List

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 7:27


    Leadership communication is as much mindset as it is skillset. This week, I'm recommending six books you can read to improve both. Additional Leadership Resources Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate by Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant Dare to Lead by Brené Brown Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Joseph Grenny Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Make Leadership Communication a Habit

    More Context on Selling Change You Don't Like

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2022 10:11


    Two episodes ago, I discussed four things you can do to Sell a Change You Don't Like. In this episode, I'm expanding and elaborating on those ideas. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Championing Change Speaking of Change

    [Re-release] Three Communication Resolutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 10:42


    As we enter a new year, the idea of reflecting on the past year and thinking about changes for the new one are on many people's minds. Two weeks with grandchildren has given me a refreshed perspective on leadership communication that leads to three communication resolutions for the new year. In this episode, I'm inviting you to join me in making and keeping these resolutions. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted.

    How to Sell a Change You Don't Like

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 11:57


    Eventually, you will have to sell a change you did not initiate and you do not like. In this episode, I'm sharing four things you can do to more successfully navigate this leadership challenge. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Championing Change Speaking of Change

    Why I Work Hard to NOT Get Angry

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 8:00


    This week, I'm sharing a life lesson that comes from reflecting on years of leadership decisions about problem solving, conflict resolution, and performance coaching. It's the power of NOT doing any of those things while angry. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Three Ways to Deal with an Angry Person Five Ways to Deescalate Conflict

    The Problem with Email and Instant Messaging

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 15:33


    Written communication can both speed things up and slow things down. Used well, email and instant messaging can make our communication better and faster. Used poorly, they can create problems that take hours or days to correct. In this episode, I'm looking at some of the challenging parts of electronic, written communication and offering tips for how to avoid the pitfalls. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Three Things to Consider in Written Communication

    Identifying Your Blindspots So You Can Guard Against Them

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 10:43


    One way to improve your communication effectiveness is to be aware of and sensitive to the things you do that hurt it. We call those areas of interaction “blind spots”. In this episode, I'll share two ways of identifying your blind spots so that you can take action to stay out of them and to minimize their impact. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Communication Blindspots Intensified by Remote Work

    Three Questions You Can Use for Coaching Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 9:24


    A common concern expressed in our Bud to Boss workshops is getting the other person to speak in coaching conversations, project planning meetings, and conflict resolution situations. Basically, any situation where emotions might be running a bit high and the other person might be hesitant to share their perspective. In this episode, I'll share three question foundations you can use in these difficult situations. Additional Leadership Resources Take our free DISC Assessment. Download our free report, The First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted. Follow us on Facebook. Related Episodes Coaching Isn't Telling: A Lesson Learned the Hard Way The Coaching Mindset with Carl Smith The Do's and Don'ts of Coaching Conversations

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