Power to the People: How Dialogue Can Transform Our Rivers—and Our Democracy
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much Helen Keller There was a palpable buzz in the foyer before the event had even begun. At the…
Building the Muscles of Love
In my latest Now We’re Talking podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Anne Power, author of Contented Couples, about the art of maintaining a loving, long-term relationship….
Calm and Bright: Navigating Difficult Conversations This Festive Season
As the end of the year approaches, the pressure ramps up. Between looming deadlines, social obligations, and festive preparations, many of us feel stretched thin and emotionally frazzled. A friend…
What are you not discussing?
Have you have been part of a meeting where the real conversation never happened? Have you been in a room where everyone was aware of what the real issue was…
The benefits of authentic dialogue in international settings
“Real dialogue is where two or more people become willing to suspend their certainty in each other’s presence.” David Bohm, physicist. It was a pinch-me moment to be in Toronto…
The challenge of speaking out
Ayesha’s voice sounded tight as she spoke. “I’m struggling and I wonder if you can help? It’s my boss. He speaks at 10,000 miles an hour and I can hardly…
Slay the silence
The news that King Charles has cancer has prompted messages of support from across the world. Rishi Sunak announced it has been ‘caught early’, and both Joe Biden and Donald…
Being in the room together
“In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change“ Reinhard Stelter Our inability to talk with one another is at the root of all conflict. Whether it’s a war between…
Disagreeing agreeably
“Between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, most of love is lost.” Gibran, K. (1923) The Prophet It hardly needs to be said that the world needs…
Lead change through dialogue (Part 2)
Open communication is motivating for groups who need to innovate. To stimulate this, leaders in these disruptive times need a communication competence that fosters dialogue. As I said in my…
Lead change through dialogue (Part 1)
Leading change through dialogue is challenging but not as hard as trying to lead change without dialogue. To innovate during these fractured times, leaders must engage hearts not just minds,…
How to move from monologue to dialogue
Dysfunctional team dynamics are particularly problematic in today’s highly interconnected world. The problems facing leaders are too complex for any one person to solve. Challenges such as developing a purpose-driven,…
Turning down the heat
When it comes to talking together, emotional reactions scupper a difficult conversation. Whether tempers flare or walls of silence go up, defensiveness derails.
Why we need to talk (and how we can)
Having been a consultant psychologist for nearly 20 years, I observe many leaders and managers facing communication challenges. Here are some of the comments I’ve heard from clients over the…
Could a conversation actually make matters worse?
Avoiding or botching difficult conversations bites into a business. One client I worked with came up with three types of meeting where good conversation wasn’t happening. All of these dysfunctional…
What anchors you in these stormy times?
For me, it’s having three things in place. A meaningful challenge to meet. A sense of community. An energising conversation that gets me thinking. More on this below. Here in…
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