# Sarah Rozenthuler > Leadership Coach and Speaker ## Posts - [“Productive talks”](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/productive-talks/): That’s how President Trump described recent discussions with Iran. Yet there can be a striking tension. If one party claims “very good and productive conversations” with “major points of agreement” and the other party says no talks have happened at all and there’s no evidence of any significant change taking place, this brings up the question: what makes a conversation productive? Because clearly… it’s not just words. What actually makes talking productive? Research in psychology and education is unequivocal: Talk is not just a way of exchanging information – it’s how we think together. True dialogue must lead to change, not just conversation. Only some talk leads […] - [Cultivating collective intelligence](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/cultivating-collective-intelligence/): For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate. The mortar, not just the bricks. Margaret Heffernan For a collective to be a potent unit of productivity, it has to have good dialogue. In her 2015 TED talk ‘Forget the pecking order at work’, Heffernan challenges the ‘superchicken model’ of productivity – the idea that success comes from focusing solely on high-performing individuals. Instead, she argues that social cohesion is the true driver of high-achieving teams. To create this cohesion, leaders need to pay attention to the ‘mortar’ not just the ‘bricks.’  When it comes to strengthening the […] - [The Spirit of Dialogue – from Davos to Daily Life](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-spirit-of-dialogue-from-davos-to-daily-life/): This year’s Davos theme, The Spirit of Dialogue, is a hot topic and one that’s been left hanging. Now that the 3000+ participants from 130 countries have departed Davos-Klosters and the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), it is too soon to tell what we’re left with. Mark Carney’s speech about the world being in a state of rupture, not transition, has certainly resonated. It raises the question: What does it take to talk when the times are so turbulent and there’s so much at stake? What it an authentic dialogue anyway? 

Having worked as a dialogue facilitator for […] - [The conversation that changed everything](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-conversation-that-changed-everything/): Have you ever had a conversation that changed everything? It might have happened at work or in your wider life. A few moments of talking can fork your life down a completely different path. I share my own story in my first book, How to Have Meaningful Conversations, when I was 17 years old and still living at home with my parents. It involved my Mum and her courage to confront me about my university degree choice. As a result of that short talk, I switched from studying architecture to psychology and the rest, as they say, is history. This […] - [Episode 12: Coaching Conversations as a Leader](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/episode-12-coaching-conversations-as-a-leader/): Sarah and Paul discuss the emerging trend of creating a coaching culture in an organisation and how a leader can bring a coaching approach to their conversations. In this episode we cover (1) coaching as a leader and why leaders need to go deeper into introspective work, so that they understand fully how they show up within the workplace, the impact they have on their immediate team, and sometimes an entire organisation; (2)  the difference that it makes when you’re able to notice the assumptions you’re making, put those to one side and bring to the conversation your curiosity instead; […] - [Episode 11: The Power of a Bold Idea](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/episode-11-the-power-of-a-bold-idea/): Sarah and Mandar discuss his transformational journey from being a petroleum engineer and a 17-year career at Shell to becoming a peace activist teaching meditation and self-care practices. In the conversation we cover (1) Mandar’s work integrating meditation and breathing techniques into the corporate world, under the banner of ‘innovation’, starting with the creation of the “Aware” employee network at Shell and later transitioning to teaching meditation to thousands of leaders across multiple continents; (2) Mandar’s peace-building initiatives, including a business model for healthcare clinics and a program training former gang members in meditation; and (3) the importance of businesses […] - [Courageous Conversations](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/dealing-with-a-difficult-person/): I’ve been leading several sessions recently on having courageous conversations. One of the things I cover are the obstacles such as lack of time, fear of upsetting someone and not knowing how to get started (I know a great book that can help you with all these aspects! 🙂 ). High on the list of the ‘blocks’ is the common perception amongst some managers that there’s a tricky colleague who makes dialogue impossible. Perhaps someone immediately springs to your mind? Maybe there’s someone in your team who’s rude, demanding or mean? Dealing with the nay-sayer, troublemaker or even grumpy person […] - [Episode 10: How To Get On With Anyone](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/episode-10-how-to-get-on-with-anyone/): In this episode, Sarah and Catherine Stothart discuss (1) how understanding a framework of four interaction styles helps you communicate with people whose personality or approach is very different to you own (whether at work or in your personal life); (2) how you can flex your style enabling you to build rapport, collaborate effectively and communicate even when the stakes go up; (3) some real-life stories of leaders and managers who adapted their communication style successfully and (4) top tips for hybrid working in teams so that communication stays strong and everyone feels valued in an inclusive working environment. About […] - [Episode 9: The Happiness Hack: Curating Caring Conversations](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/episode-9-the-happiness-hack-curating-caring-conversations/): In this episode, Sarah and Klaudia discuss (1) what happiness is; (2) how we can grow our happiness through cultivating ‘happiness habits’; (3) how to manage destructive self-talk and stop ruminating before a difficult conversation; and (4) how to develop a toolkit so that your happiness doesn’t depend on any person, place or thing exterior to you.   About Klaudia Mitura Klaudia is the author of the book “The Alphabet of Happiness: Create more happiness at work, in relationships and in your own skin” (publication date: September 2025.) Klaudia is a work psychologist and the Learning and Development Manager at […] - [Five Words to Change a Day: The Transformative Power of Kindness](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/five-words-to-change-a-day-the-transformative-power-of-kindness/): I woke up to five words that shifted everything: “How can I help you?” After a restless night stewing in heat and to-do lists, my partner’s simple question landed like a cool breeze on sun scorched skin. The pile of tasks didn’t vanish (suitcase to pack, talks to finalise, tech to remember), but something inside me softened. A sense of burden lifted. How can five ordinary words have such an extraordinary effect? This moment of unexpected relief opened a deeper inquiry. Even though I greatly enjoy my work, the pressure was real. Just the day before, a friend emailed post-holiday […] - [Now We're Talking Podcast Episode 8: Being a resilient, responsive, and resourced leader](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/now-were-talking-podcast-episode-8-being-a-resilient-responsive-and-resourced-leader/): In this episode, Sarah discusses with Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, authors of Wise Power and Wild Power, (1) why cyclical awareness is an under-utilised resource that builds resilience in leaders, (2) how to pick your moment for a courageous conversation (3) how leader is able to be responsive by setting boundaries and standing their ground and (4) how to start a fresh chapter by staying true to you. Sarah, Alexandra and Sjanie also discuss what leaders can learn from moving beyond politeness into a real conversation where everyone leaves feeling seen and heard.  About Alexandra Pope and Sjanie […] - [Now We’re Talking – And Listening](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/now-were-talking-and-listening/): Unhooking  Day two of our holiday And there’s nothing I have to doExcept swoon at the sugar-topped mountainsSoaring into view.  Gone is the inboxThe posts and the likesThere isn’t a single alertPopping into sight.  We set out on our walkAlong the alpine valley sideWith raw red blisters hurtingI wonder if I’ll take it in my stride.  The ground suddenly turns icyAs we walk below the snow lineI place one foot slowly in front of the otherAnd catch lungfuls of pine. We head up the steep pathAs the sun beats downThere’s a bench up ahead but for nowAnother corner to round.  An […] - [Power to the People: How Dialogue Can Transform Our Rivers—and Our Democracy](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 welcome desk, people wrote their names on sticky white labels and pressed them onto their jackets and jumpers like badges of honour. There was colour and creativity everywhere. A woman with bright eyes and flowing grey hair wore a crown made from blue and white plastic bottle tops. Another glided past in a multi-layered outfit that shimmered with all the colours of the sea. It felt as though the river […] - [Building the Muscles of Love](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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. What struck me in our conversation was how the skills that sustain a thriving partnership—deep listening, navigating conflict, and repairing ruptures—are the very same skills that great leaders must develop. Relationships, whether at home or in the workplace, require continuous attention and care. They don’t stay strong on their own. Like physical fitness, building the muscles of love—trust, communication, and understanding—takes deliberate practice. But too often, we focus on getting […] - [Now We're Talking Podcast: Episode 7. Building the Muscles of Love](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/now-were-talking-podcast-episode-7-building-the-muscles-of-love-2/): In this episode, Sarah discusses with Anne Power, author of Contented Couples and a couples therapist  (1) why couples who learn how to navigate conflict strengthen their relationship, (2) how healthy couples repair after a rupture (3) what a difference it makes when a couple has a learning-together orientation and (4) how a long-term contented relationship is achievable for most of us if we’re willing to do our work and play our part in making authentic dialogue happen. Sarah and Anne also discuss what leaders can learn from couples and the critical communication skills needed in perhaps the highest stakes […] - [Now We're Talking Podcast: Episode 6. Where did you learn to behave like that?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/now-were-talking-podcast-episode-6-where-did-you-learn-to-behave-like-that/): In this episode, Sarah discusses with Dr Sarah Hill (1) why understanding our ‘childhood story’ unlocks stuck behaviour patterns in leaders (2) what a childhood story is (3) how we can start to notice in a high stakes situation that our childhood story has become activated, and (4) what we can do to create a new narrative so that we expand our behavioural repertoire and instead of a dialogue derailing, we can discuss what matters most.    About Dr Sarah Hill Sarah is an expert dialogue facilitator and ‘Structural Dynamics Interventionist’ with individuals, teams and across whole systems. She coaches […] - [When the stakes go up](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/when-the-stakes-go-up/): As the Board members and I filed into the meeting room, the chattiness of the conversations over coffee that we’d just been having died down. The tone became more serious as laptops and smartphones were put away and my co-facilitator cleared his throat to speak. I watched carefully noting that people appeared to be nervous whilst appreciating the opportunity to be a fly-on-the-wall. In line with the agreement we’d made in advance, I readied myself to swing into action in the afternoon by gathering my observations. Facilitating a dialogue about how this Board could bring about positive change was a […] - [Now We're Talking Podcast: Episode 5. The Four Secrets to Navigating Difficult Conversations Successfully](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/episode-5-the-four-secrets-to-navigating-difficult-conversations-successfully/): In this episode following Sarah’s book launch at RADA in London, Sarah discusses with Jan Rakowicz (1) why she wrote her latest book Now We’re Talking (2) what makes conversations so difficult (3) why it’s important to cut through ‘avoidance syndrome’ and (4) the four secrets that enable a manager or leader to discuss what really matters. The four secrets are that help tackle the conversations people dread most are: These secrets can be applied in both professional and personal settings so that rather than avoiding or botching a difficult conversation, you have an authentic dialogue instead. About Jan Rakowicz […] - [Calm and Bright: Navigating Difficult Conversations This Festive Season](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 recently shared a message that stuck with me: “The first Christmas was pretty simple. It’s OK if yours is too.” This season doesn’t have to be chaotic – it can be an opportunity to create space for meaningful conversations that bring clarity, connection, and calm. Below are three key steps to help you lean into those challenging but important conversations, whether they’re with family, friends, or colleagues. By simplifying and […] - [What are you not discussing?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 but no one was willing to name it?  Have you ever wondered what it would take to shift a lacklustre meeting into an engaged dialogue? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, this article is for you. Imagine if every conversation in your team or organisation truly unlocked new perspectives, stirred genuine alignment, and sparked transformational change. This is the power of dialogue—when it’s authentic, intentional, and courageous. […] - [What Makes Your Organisation Tick?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/what-makes-your-organisation-tick/): We’re all familiar with the notion of what makes people tick. When managers and leaders tune into what motivates people, it nurtures better relationships and stronger performance. It’s less common to ask: What makes your organisation tick? This powerful question throws a light on what makes one organisation thrive and another derail. Every organisation has a hidden ‘architecture’—a framework woven deep into its fabric that influences how it functions, evolves, and ultimately thrives. Often, leaders think that what makes their organisation tick lies in clear strategies, robust policies, and motivated people. But what if the real forces driving your organisation’s […] - [Now We're Talking podcast: Episode 4. Moving beyond inner criticism with Dr Claus Springborg](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/now-were-talking-podcast-episode-4-moving-beyond-inner-criticism-with-dr-claus-springborg/): In this episode, Sarah and Claus discuss (1) what inner criticism is (2) how we can detect inner criticism starting to operate inside us and (3) how we can manage this mechanism so that it no longer shuts down our dialogue but strengthens us to talk about what matters most. About Claus Dr. Claus Springborg is a thought leader in the field of leadership development and organizational change. Claus is an academic and practitioner who integrates his deep understanding of human consciousness with practical business insights. Claus is a lecturer at Copenhagen Business School with a PhD from Cranfield School […] - [The power of positivity](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-power-of-positivity/): The power of positivity isn’t just a self-help cliché; it’s a transformative force that can shape the tone of entire movements, as we’ve seen recently at the Labour Leadership Conference and the Democratic National Convention in the United States. Amidst the often cynical world of politics, Sir Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and Kamala Harris are setting a new standard by infusing their messages with a hopeful, forward-looking tone, challenging the status quo of negativity that so often dominates public discourse. This refreshing approach is more than just a strategy—it’s a powerful reminder of how a positive mindset can redefine expectations, […] - [Now We're Talking podcast: Episode 3. Make time to reflect with Pete Burden](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/podcast-episode-3-pete-burden/): Episode 3 Make time to reflect with Pete Burden In this week’s podcast Sarah and Pete Burden discuss About Pete Burden Pete is the co-author of the book Leading Mindfully along with Professor Rob Warwick. Pete has over 30 years experience coaching teams, including senior leadership teams. He draws on a diverse set of leadership experiences, including being a manager at a Fortune 100 company; being an MD and a coach at the BBC. He’s also been the Executive Chairman of one of the UK’s first social media agencies. Pete is all about helping people build reflective, purposeful teams and brings a […] - [The benefits of authentic dialogue in international settings](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 this month teaching dialogue skills to the Schmidt Science Fellows. Why would scientists even consider let alone invest in this approach? It’s made me reflect on the role that fostering quality dialogue and navigating challenging conversations have in the scientific community and in international settings. The Schmidt Science Fellows is a prestigious STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) postdoctoral fellowship awarded annually since 2018. Former Google chairman and CEO Eric […] - [Now We're Talking podcast: Episode 2. The art of lingering in dialogue](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/podcast-episode-2-reinhard-stelter/): Episode 2 The art of lingering in dialogue with Professor Reinhard Stelter In the second episode of the Now We’re Talking podcast series Reinhard Stelter (Professor of Sport & Coaching Psychology at University of Copenhagen in Denmark) and Sarah discuss - [Now We're Talking podcast: Episode 1. Speak out and listen up!](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/podcast-episode-1-megan-reitz/): Episode 1 Speak out and listen up with Sarah Rozenthuler Megan Reitz In the first episode of new podcast series ‘Now We’re Talking,’ Sarah Rozenthuler and Megan Reitz explore how leaders can create spaces for conversations that matter by (1) deepening their listening so that team members speak up and real issues are discussed; (2) being aware of power dynamics and their impact on a conversation; (3) paying attention to the incoming tide of employee activism and the use of generative AI in organisations. - [Turn tension into triumph](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/turn-tension-into-triumph/): With the UK general election only a week away, our news streams and TV screens have been full of fractious discussions and accusation slinging. “Politican’s staff room squabbles” is how Rachel Cooke in The New Statesman summed up the recent TV election debates. After watching Rishi Sunak and Kier Starmer go head to head, she concluded that the productions are so embarrassing and boring they are “better for the glutes than hours of Pilates.” Ouch. These TV debates seem to be more about entertainment than current affairs. What if there was real dialogue instead? What if participating and learning was […] - [The challenge of speaking out](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 get a word in. None of us can. We have team meetings that aren’t really ‘meetings’ at all.” This sounded familiar. Many of the managers I’ve coached over the years have faced the challenge of ‘managing upwards.’ “How can I interject without being rude? I feel exhausted already. If I’m going to be working with this person, how can I find ways to engage with him more in conversation? Our […] - [Not to decide is to decide](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/decide-or-not-to-decide/): Decades of research tells us that about half of organisational decisions fail to achieve their goals. They either unravel after a meeting has ended or have unintended consequences. Many meetings don’t end in decisions being made. As we all know, waiting to see what happens is often not an effective way to make a decision. Not to decide is to decide. - [Slay the silence](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 Trump sent their best. Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly expressed their good wishes as they start to work together; surely a sign of hope in a world full of political turmoil and distressing news. Illness is a great leveller, as Nicci Gerrard observes in The Guardian. It can be a catalyst for some families pulling together and others falling apart. A serious condition […] - [Stop the sabotage](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/stop-the-sabotage/): Management culture often makes a mess of meetings. Group think means conviviality trumps people telling the truth. Managers are disconnected from the people they serve and make decisions in a vacuum. When mistakes are made, the ‘blame game’ starts rather than managers seeking to learn from what has gone wrong. These dynamics have all played out in the Post Office scandal. Add a lack of accountability (the Post Office is an independent body that isn’t accountable to anyone), a contempt for the ‘little people’ and faulty assumptions (that the sub-postmasters were ‘takers’), no wonder it took 20 years to see […] - [Being in the room together](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 nations, a fight between departments or a stand-off between CEOs, the common factor is an unwillingness to meet the ‘other’ and to be changed by the encounter. When we are resistant to change and unable to be in the room together, problems fester, conflicts become more entrenched and stand-offs escalate.  Dialogue is not easy but it’s not as hard as trying to solve problems without dialogue. In organisations, there is […] - [Disagreeing agreeably](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 better dialogue right now. Without good dialogue, love is lost between partners, teams, organisations and nations. With fruitful dialogue, collaboration replaces ruthless competition or entrenched conflict. New possibilities arise when people can find a way to talk and think together, including about their differences. The workplace, and the world, is hungry for this shift. The runaway success of the podcast, The Rest is Politics, which regularly tops the charts in the […] - [Lead change through dialogue (Part 2)](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 previous post: Leading change through dialogue is challenging, but not nearly as hard as trying to promote change without this. There are many obstacles to leading change effectively. Chief amongst these is a lack of dialogue. As Nancy Rothbard (Deputy Dean and Professor of Management at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania) has said: The sinkhole of change is communication and motivation. It’s where change projects go to […] - [Lead change through dialogue (Part 1)](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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, walk their talk, turn activists into allies, and have a bold vision without being domineering. With this approach, transformational change becomes possible. Authentic dialogue among multiple stakeholders is an art. The leader is less in control of the outcome, which makes dynamics more alive but trickier. Perceptions of winners and losers mean some take fixed positions and block change from happening. Hidden agendas, whether real or perceived, scupper decision-making and […] - [How to hold Space](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/how-to-hold-space/): Holding space includes and goes beyond ‘psychological safety’. This refers to an environment in which team members feel that they can take interpersonal risks without it being a career-limiting move; they are still respected and accepted. - [How to move from monologue to dialogue](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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, sustainable business strategy, cleaning up a supply chain and recruiting the best talent in a global marketplace are not limited to the borders of a single country or the boundary of an organisational department. Cutting a swath through these issues requires teams to think and talk together in unprecedented ways. If one or two people dominate the conversation, creativity and productivity will never emerge. A key question for many teams […] - [How to define and refine your purpose](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/how-to-define-and-refine-your-purpose/): Purpose powers individuals, teams and organisations. People go the extra mile, feel proud about their contribution and want to give their best. In a climate of ‘conscious quitting’, making work have a positive impact retains talent. Recent research has shown that even in these challenging economic times, around half of employees would consider resigning if their organisation’s values don’t match their own. This proportion is even higher for Millennials and Gen Z, who will soon occupy more and more leadership positions. The question is: How do you define and refine your purpose? Your ‘why’ is not a static entity. It […] - [Turning down the heat](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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)](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/three-better-ways-to-deal-with-difficult-conversations/): 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 years: “We can talk but we can’t dialogue” “We tend to talk about each other rather than to each other” “All we do is talk!” Just because people are talking doesn’t mean that they’re communicating. As the old saying goes, ‘Two monologues do not make a dialogue.’ In two decades of team coaching, not a session goes by without someone concluding that “it’s all about communication, really.” There are many […] - [Could a conversation actually make matters worse?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 meetings cost a business as problems fester, decisions unravel and mistakes are made. Can you relate to any of the following? Are there other unproductive meeting types that I’ve missed? I’d love to know. The power of listening One of the most powerful ‘pivots’ you can make in a meeting is to deepen your listening. Whilst this might not put out every fire, it goes a huge way to calm […] - [How to live your best life](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/how-to-live-your-best-life/): As the days draw in, I’ve been taking some time to reflect on what makes life enjoyable and engaging. Recent walks with family and friends as the leaves turn have been nourishing. Here’s a pic of my sister and me at Attingham Park in Shropshire. I wonder where you go to revive your spirits? We are moving through turbulent and tricky times. As Camilla Cavendish observed recently in the Financial Times: “In six short weeks Britain has acquired Italian-style politics and finances, without the sunshine.”  Amid all the uncertainty and dissatisfaction, however, is the opportunity for a creative response rather […] - [What anchors you in these stormy times?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/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 the northern hemisphere, as autumn arrives, it’s a good time to reflect. What strengthens your leadership? What nourishes your wellbeing? How can you sustain your energy through the shorter days? It would be great to hear your responses. Meeting a meaningful challenge Demands on leaders are at an all-time high. More and more people are wanting meaningful work. ‘Quiet quitting’ is trending (when you show up for work but only […] - [Bridgework Insights: Access the latest articles](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/bridgework-insights-access-the-latest-articles/): Articles about purpose, teamwork, and authentic dialogue from Sarah Rozenthuler and Bridgework Consulting. 20 Apr 2021: Got the Covid Blues? How to energise your people to do great work Over a year into the global pandemic, many of us feel the weariness of multiple lockdowns. Being cooped up at home and at arm’s length from our colleagues is causing many people to lose heart. Leaders everywhere are facing the challenge of keeping their people engaged and energised whilst the turbulent times continue.  Here are […]Read More… 27 Jun 2020: Beyond strongman syndrome: Leading in stormy times What can we learn […] - [Beyond strongman syndrome: Leading in stormy times](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/beyond-strongman-syndrome-leading-in-stormy-times/): What can we learn from leaders who are successfully navigating these unpredictable times? This post explores how, when leaders bring a fusion of power and grace to their actions, we all benefit. Beyond strongman syndrome Leaders who are effectively moving through the current stormy times have something in common. They embody a combination of qualities that are often attributed to men and women separately. We tend to see decisiveness, clear action and strength as masculine attributes. We often regard compassion, kindness and empathy as feminine qualities. What we are seeing now, more than ever, is that both are necessary. A […] - [Dialogue At A Distance: How To Communicate Effectively During Coronavirus](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/dialogue-at-a-distance-how-to-communicate-effectively-during-coronavirus/): An earlier version of this article was published on FemaleFirst 9 April 2020 Photo credit: Clive Sherlock Having a meaningful conversation can be challenging at the best of times. When we want to speak about something that matters – whether with a family member, colleague or friend – many of us withdraw rather than talk. We decide that it’s not the right time, we don’t have the necessary skills or that the other person won’t listen. This article looks at how you can communicate effectively during the corona virus crisis – and come out stronger for it. During the current […] - [The most important leadership skill](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-most-important-leadership-skill/): Deeper listening is one of the most critical skills that a leader can develop. When people feel heard, it unlocks collaboration, builds trust and allows new ideas to flow. Big doors swing on little hinges. Active listening is a vital hinge on which effective leadership pivots. Twenty years ago, I decided to explore becoming a psychotherapist. Being a therapist would be more soulful than working a business psychologist, so I thought. I took an introductory course on counselling skills where the tutors taught us how to listen – and made us practice. It was only then that I discovered that […] - ['It seems like'​ and other pivotal phrases](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/it-seems-like-and-other-pivotal-phrases/): ‘What is the most important leadership skill of all?’ is the title of a post I uploaded earlier this week. Based on the comments people have made, I’ve expanded the actual phrases you might use to show that you’re really listening to someone. ‘It seems like…’ has been shown to be a power phrase: the actual words that made a difference to the quality of a conversation. Deeper listening is one of the most critical skills that a leader can develop. When people feel heard, it unlocks collaboration, builds trust and allows new ideas to flow. This critical skill is, […] - [Deepen your presence, deepen your dialogue](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/deepen-your-presence-deepen-your-dialogue/): Colleagues in dialogue. Photo credit Clive Sherlock Senior leaders typically spend up to 80% of their time in meetings. This calls for “black belt mindfulness”[1] or advanced attentiveness, as there can be so many demands on our attention even in a single meeting. Whilst deepening your presence can be challenging, the results can be transformative. When we are present, we are in touch with what’s really happening. When we’re fully in-the-moment, others respond more fully. When we’re attentive, we see opportunities and risks that we miss when we’re only half there. Our dialogue deepens as our presence expands. Recent research […] - [Purpose-Led Leadership: The Three Adventures](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/purpose-led-leadership-the-three-adventures/): “It’s at the juncture where organizational purpose and individual calling start to resonate with and reinforce each other that truly extraordinary things happen.” (Frederic Laloux, Reinventing Organizations) Co-authored with Edward L. Rowland This post explores how we can tap more fully into personal purpose and organizational purpose, so that they align with and resource each other. When we bring these powerful and compelling impulses together, we create inspiring organizations where people love to work and attract customers who are energized by what’s on offer. During these times of turbulent change, many of us want to discover our true work in […] - [Two monologues do not make a dialogue](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/two-monologues-do-not-make-a-dialogue/): Sarah Rozenthuler, CEO Bridgework Consulting, coaching a leadership team to have better dialogue What makes dialogue different to other types of talking? This article explores four different types of verbal interaction. Understanding this helps leaders and teams to carve out the time they need to talk. Not every exchange of words is a dialogue. A shouting match is not a dialogue. A debate in Parliament is not a dialogue. A presentation with a short question-and-answer session tacked on at the end is not a dialogue. Two people talking over each other and not listening is not a dialogue. As it […] - [Breakthrough Conversations](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/breakthrough-conversations/): Getting to breakthrough by J. Rakowicz How can we deliver outstanding results – something that my group, as it operates today, cannot achieve? How can we become a true team rather than a group of high performing individuals? What would it take for us to have a ‘breakthrough conversation’ and bring something new to the business? These are questions that leaders I’ve worked with recently are asking. At the heart of the matter is the need to create a real ‘sense of team.’ As Professor Peter Hawkins said in his keynote address at the ‘Evocative Leadership: Calling forward potential’ creative […] - [The Power of Thinking Together](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-power-of-thinking-together/): What can we learn from Trump’s leadership? How can I draw on the intelligence of the people around me to improve decisions? How can I ‘read the room’ and disrupt ‘talking nice’, ‘talking tough’ or not talking at all? What can I do to change how my team talks together so that thinking together become possible? Leaders who want to increase innovation and productivity are asking these questions more and more. They recognize that whether they want to create an exciting vision, implement a new strategy, or make a better decision, it is by talking – and thinking – together […] - [What is needed to call dialogue forth?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/what-is-needed-to-call-dialogue-forth/): Having worked with leaders and their teams for over 15 years, a crucial insight I’ve had is that the ability to foster and hold dialogue is a critical skill. Holding powerful meeting spaces to navigate critical business challenges and find solutions that strengthen the system as a whole is pivotal to better performance. In this post I share some practical suggestions about how you can create the conditions in your team that will improve problem-solving, decision-making and innovative thinking. What do we mean by dialogue? Bill Isaacs, one of the world’s leading authorities on dialogue, and a former colleague, writes […] - [How do we have effective feedback conversations?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/how-do-we-have-effective-feedback-conversations/): Colleagues having a feedback conversation, Christin Hume ‘So much can happen in a single conversation’ a participant reflected at the Leading Systemic Dialogue programme I co-led last week. We were at the end of a full and lively two-days. We’d had some engaging dialogue including about some of the big issues of the day. A conversation can make (or break) a relationship. It can spark a new idea. It can be the catalyst for change. This is particularly true when it comes to a feedback conversation. The benefits of well-timed and carefully given feedback are huge. It energizes us, engages […] - [Talking together about big issues – Unlocking collective intelligence](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/talking-together-about-big-issues-unlocking-collective-intelligence/): What does it take for a group of people to talk about what really matters? How can a group of leaders have more collective intelligence than the individuals present? What practical tools help leadership teams to improve their dialogue? On the eve of our next Leading Systemic Dialogue programme, I’ve been reflecting on these questions. To agree a new strategy, articulate a compelling vision or create a new product, a deeper quality of dialogue is needed than often occurs in organisations. Creating the conditions where innovations emerge is an art – and science – that is underutilised by many leaders. […] - [Enabling better dialogue](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/enabling-better-dialogue/): Working with global leadership teams, I have seen the big difference it makes when people are able to talk about what really matters. With better dialogue, fresh ideas spark, collective energies align and a new future emerges. I’ve also seen time and time again how people struggle to talk about the big issues. David Bohm, the quantum physicist, who later in life developed some powerful insights about human interaction, observed: ‘In our modern culture men and women are able to interact with one another in many ways: they can sing, dance and play together with little difficulty. However, their ability […] - [Purpose-led leadership: A bridge to a better future](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/purpose-led-leadership-a-bridge-to-a-better-future/): We are living through intense, uneasy and extraordinary times. Darkness seems to be falling wherever we look, and yet there are pinpricks of light too. Never has the potential for humanity to address urgent and global issues — economic inequality, societal polarisation and environmental dangers — been greater. And never has the risk of systemic failure — whether from cyberattacks, stand-offs between nations, or the catastrophic consequences of climate change — been higher. We are poised right on the edge of destiny-changing times. What will it take for our collective and individual lives to cascade down a path of shared […] - [A Bridge to the Future](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/a-bridge-to-the-future/): We are living through intense, uneasy and extraordinary times. Darkness seems to be falling wherever we look, and yet there are pinpricks of light too. Never has the potential for humanity to address urgent and global issues — economic inequality, societal polarisation and environmental dangers — been greater. And never has the risk of systemic failure — whether from cyberattacks, stand-offs between nations, or the catastrophic consequences of climate change — been higher. We are poised right on the edge of destiny-changing times. What will it take for our collective and individual lives to cascade down a path of shared […] - [A new season of great conversations](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/a-new-season-of-great-conversations/): I trust this finds you well and thriving as the new season comes in. There is a real sense of a ‘new term’ starting so I wish you every success with your own new directions. Over recent years, my own leadership work has started to take a more defined shape. To help build a bridge to a better future for us all, I am working with leaders, teams and organisations in the following three ways: Great conversations —  Speak authentically, listen respectfully and engage with our heart as well as our head. Meaningful relationships — Build trust, create partnerships and […] - [How leaders can build trust across the whole organisation](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/how-leaders-can-build-trust-across-the-whole-organisation/): “Trust, not authority, is the only glue that will hold organizations together in a diverse, global, technology-empowered world” Paul Polman, CEO Unilever Building trust not only between individuals but also systemically – between teams and across a whole organization – is vital for enhanced business performance and employee wellbeing. I offer three practical solutions for increasing trust through better quality dialogue, more constructive challenge and healthy interactions between teams at different levels.  Trust is a hot topic in business. Since the 2008 financial crash and a seemingly never-ending stream of scandals such as bribery in big pharm companies and the […] - [The Heart of Purpose: Through a Systemic Lens](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-heart-of-purpose-through-a-systemic-lens/): with Edward L. Rowland “Purpose needs leadership….Mission statements are helpful – but purpose goes much further and is rooted in commitments to others, including individuals, communities and the world at large.”  Purpose in Practice: Clarity, Authenticity & the Spectre of Purpose Wash (2015) Claremont Communications During these times of disruptive change, many voices are calling for a new approach to leadership. Most of us want to find our true work and right ‘place’, so that our leadership brings out the best in ourselves, others, and our workplaces and communities as a whole. Alongside this search for personal meaning and purpose, […] - [Small acts of leadership](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/small-acts-of-leadership/): This post explores how the atmosphere of an organisation arises out of the many everyday actions, habits and choices that each and every person contributes. As culture is a nonlinear system, small acts can have a big impact. Examples of positive leadership behaviours are given.  My introduction to the world of work, when I was 15 years old, gave me some unexpected insights into office life. With my sights set on being an architect, I was lucky enough to secure two stints of work experience in two different practices. The sharp contrast between them was my first lesson in organisational […] - [Leading Systemic Dialogue: From Silos to the Whole System](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/leading-systemic-dialogue-from-silos-to-the-whole-system/): “Leadership is about being better able to listen to the whole than anyone else can” Otto Scharmer (2009) Theory U: Learning from the Future as It Emerges Co-authored with Edward L. Rowland During these times of upheaval, the need to move forward in alignment with others has never been greater. The leadership challenges of today are too complex for any one person to solve alone. In our rapidly changing, increasingly uncertain and globally networked world, leadership needs to be less about individual heroics and more about listening to – and mobilising – collective potential. Developing the skillset of what we […] - [Cultures of Purpose: Developing Systemic Leadership](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/cultures-of-purpose-developing-systemic-leadership/): “Leadership is discovering the company’s destiny and having the courage to follow it… Companies that endure have a noble purpose” Joe Jaworski Co-authored with Edward L. Rowland Co-creating purposeful organisations is a new frontier in organisational development. This post taps into the growing body of evidence about the financial, social and psychological benefits of creating “cultures of purpose.” It explores how leaders can attune their organisation to a rapidly shifting global marketplace and catalyse purposeful action by developing four core capacities of “systemic leadership.” Leadership, always a hot topic, has been in the spotlight more than ever in the UK […] - [Attuning to your unique work](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/attuning-to-your-unique-work/): Finding your true work takes time, perseverance and focus. This post explores the three key reasons why we get stuck in the wrong career – and what we can do to overcome these obstacles. Several suggestions are given to help you to get out of a career you’ve outgrown and to attune to what is uniquely yours to do. Acknowledgement: I am grateful to Ed Rowland of the Whole Partnership for our conversations about purposeful work. This post has emerged out of our shared insights and ideas. *     *     * “Is this it?” My client lent […] - [Finding your true work](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/finding-your-true-work/): This post explores how to find your true north in your work. It highlights the current trend of individuals seeking greater meaning in their careers and highly successful organisations having a purpose beyond profits. To take a step closer to being who you truly are in your work, three practical suggestions are offered. The first time I ever thought about what was mine to do in this world was when I was 17 years old. I had completed my A-levels in maths, physics and geography – subjects I’d chosen with the intention of studying architecture. However, when I discovered that […] - [Know your triggers](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/know-your-triggers/): Emotional outbursts can be very damaging to our lives and careers. Throwing our toys out of the pram takes place in an instant but its impact can last a lifetime. This post highlights some useful insights from psychology and neuroscience that can help us to manage our defences. Learning to handle our reactivity makes a real difference to our leadership, relationships and conversations. The first time that someone really pressed my buttons at work happened many years ago. It was hardly a career-limiting moment of Jeremy Clarkson proportions but instructive nonetheless. I was nineteen years old and halfway through an […] - [Tomorrow's leaders: Reconfiguring the whole system](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/tomorrows-leaders-reconfiguring-the-whole-system/): Given that we live in a world that feels ever more uncertain, a radically different approach to leadership is called for. Increasingly leaders will need to see themselves not as king pins in a machine but as one part of a complex ecosystem of stakeholders. Three practical suggestions are offered to activate this “systemic leadership.” The global economic crisis, as well as climate change, energy security and religious wars, all place new demands on our leaders. Given the growing chasm between the complex challenges leaders face and their capacity to handle them, trust in authority figures, whether in financial, political […] - [Speak Your Truth - Without Rupturing your Relationship](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/speak-your-truth-without-rupturing-your-relationship/): This post outlines a practical tool that will help you to stand in your truth when the stakes are high. Talking together about a contentious issue does not have to drive us further apart. When we find the right words to say, and the right tone to express them, a courageous conversation might even bring us closer together. Having a challenging conversation involves taking a risk. Research reported inThe Psychologist (April 2005) reveals that we express our inner thoughts and feelings only 2 percent of the time in everyday conversations. Opening up and speaking out about what is really going […] - [How to have that Big Conversation](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/how-to-have-that-big-conversation/): This post explores how to lean into having an important conversation. It outlines three key strategies to help you to prepare. While there is never any guarantee how a conversation will go (it’s a co-creation after all!), you can maximise the likelihood that you’ll achieve a positive outcome. On Tuesday evening we had a sell-out event for Psychologies Magazine called “How to Have That Big Conversation.” I was delighted to lead this talk on a hot topic that applies in many areas of our lives – at work, at home and at play. Here I’d like to share with you […] - [How to get out of the ‘change maze’](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/how-to-get-out-of-the-change-maze/): This post explores why 75% of change initiatives fail and what can be done about this. Four ways forward are suggested: (1) frame the problem accurately; (2) navigate the unknown; (3) rethink your purpose; and (4) build social capital. Practical examples of how leaders have worked together to solve “wicked” or adaptive problems are included. A widely accepted truth of organisational life is that change initiatives fail more often than they succeed. The statistics speak for themselves: 75% of change programmes either stall or fail to achieve their objectives. According to Professor Keith Grint at Warwick Business School, the pervasive […] - [What street circus can teach us about leadership](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/what-street-circus-can-teach-us-about-leadership/): This post explores how leaders can adjust to surviving and thriving in a radically altered environment. Inspired by 4 years working as a street circus performer, I explore 3 ways to navigate an “adaptive” leadership challenge when technical know-how, expert solutions and routine management run out of track. After graduating from the University of Nottingham with my degree in psychology, I headed off to Spain in an old campervan. I had abandoned an offer to do a PhD and intended to support myself by teaching English. This plan started to go awry, however, when my van was broken into and […] - [The power of purposeful leadership](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-power-of-purposeful-leadership/): This post explores how feeling inspired, energized and focused at work leads to greater productivity, loyalty and performance. When we do what we do best and enjoy most, it strengthens and sustains us. Purposeful work, however, eludes many of us. The reasons for this – and what we can do to meet our needs for more fulfilling work – are also covered here. I recently participated in a 3-day leadership programme in London called “Bring Your Unique Work to Life”. The purpose of the programme was to enable participants to come into more direct alignment with their true potential. The […] - [Leadership for Collective Intelligence](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/leadership-for-collective-intelligence/): This post explores how a new approach to leadership is emerging. It is concerned not with the single heroic leader but with leaders thinking and talking together to achieve results they never could working alone. I was recently part of the faculty team for the 2014 Leadership for Collective Intelligence (LCI) programme. This is a cutting edge programme for senior executives who want to expand their capacity to lead in complex, uncertain and critical situations. My colleague Bill Isaacs, who is the founder of the niche consultancy Dialogos, created the LCI 20 years ago. Bill is the author of the […] - [Conflict, competition and the collective](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/conflict-competition-and-the-collective/): This post explores where conflict comes from and what can be done so that we live and work together more harmoniously and productively. Along with five million other visitors, I recently went to the Tower of London to see the installation of 888,246 hand-made poppies. Each poppy represents a British or Commonwealth solder who died during the First World War. The inspiration for the display, which was created by the ceramic artist Paul Cummins, was a line in the will of a serviceman who died in Flanders. This fellow Derbyshire man wrote of “the blood-swept lands and seas of red, […] - [To have a conversation, create a container](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/to-have-a-conversation-create-a-container/): This post explores how we can create the conditions for generative dialogue so that together we achieve more than we could alone. A “container” for a conversation provides a “holding” atmosphere in which the things that matter most can be discussed. As a fan of the British writer Virginia Woolf, I recently went to the National Portrait Gallery in London to see an exhibition about her life and work. Virginia Woolf, a novelist, publisher, essayist and critic, was a leading light of the London literary scene during the first half of the twentieth century. Insights from her life and writings […] - [Call Up Your Courage](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/call-up-your-courage/): A few weeks ago I attended a packed out event in London called, “From the Roman Empire to Twitter: Why are we so afraid of outspoken women?” hosted by the New Statesman. The dialogue between Mary Beard (an acclaimed classicist), Laurie Penny and Helen Lewis (both from the New Statesman), was lively. The topic was hot. The atmosphere in the Conway Hall was electric. Laurie Penny, a 27 year old author and journalist, shared that in her conversations with young women, they asked her about one thing in particular. Courage. How do I deal with the backlash of speaking out? […] - [The Choreography of Collective Leadership](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-choreography-of-collective-leadership/): It’s been a great pleasure the last few days to be in the throngs enjoying the Edinburgh Festival. Established in 1947, the Festival was created to “to provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit” through the transformative power of the arts. At a time when it’s all-too-easy to focus on the destructive and deluded behaviour of leaders, nations and organisations, the inspiration of dancers, actors, musicians, improvisers, poets and jugglers brings a welcome balance. Another source of optimism is my observation that the nature of leadership is slowly changing. This comes from developments in research plus my […] - [We need to talk](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/we-need-to-talk/): To live is to be related. Nothing and no one can live in isolation. We are all interdependent, and increasingly so, on this planet of nearly seven billion of us. If, as the population forecasts predict, we double in number to 15 billion by 2100, the need to talk and get along with each other will become even more pressing. The human challenges we already face, individually and collectively, are unprecedented. War rages on in many corners of the world where individual’s dreams, family life and national stability are blown to pieces. In my travels with work around the world, […] - [Why conversation matters](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/why-conversation-matters/): Conversation is centre stage in most people’s lives. We might even see the whole of life – and work – as one conversation followed by another and then another. Talking together is what many of us spend a large portion of our time doing, whether it’s in the boardroom, across the kitchen table, on the factory floor or at the pub. Making changes to how we talk can, therefore, have a big impact on our lives. I became interested in conversation at a young age. As I listened to grown-ups talk, I discovered some patterns that years later have informed […] - [Better dialogue: The power of tone](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/better-dialogue-the-power-of-tone/): Tone is a crucial point of leverage in interactions between people. The quality of the tone determines whether people’s energy is amplified or diminished by the conversation and this, in turn, impacts their levels of performance, commitment and satisfaction. Research shows that the quality of the “field” operates as a key differentiator between high, medium and low performing teams. Psychologists Losada and Heaphy at the University of Michigan Business School have found, for example, that high performing teams generate an “expansive emotional space” where their dialogue shows a healthy balance between grounded positivity and measured negativity. They operate in an […] - [The Value Of Robust Relationships](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-value-of-robust-relationships/): Relationships are central to our work and to our lives. Without our connection to other people, we would have a sad, lonely and isolated existence. It is the warmth of the web we weave that keeps us buoyant and alive. Not only do we know this intuitively for ourselves, it is underwritten by research. In his 2012 book Triumphs of Experience, George E. Vaillant shares the findings of one of the longest longitudinal studies of human development ever undertaken. The Harvard Grant Study of Adult Development began in 1938 with a cohort of 268 men, whose lives have been tracked […] - [The value of robust relationships](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/the-value-of-robust-relationships-2/): This is an excerpt from Life-Enriching Relationships, Sarah Rozenthuler’s forthcoming book Relationships are central to our work and to our lives. Without our connection to other people, we would have a sad, lonely and isolated existence. It is the warmth of the web we weave that keeps us buoyant and alive. Not only do we know this intuitively for ourselves, it is underwritten by research. A significant study of success In his 2012 book Triumphs of Experience, George E. Vaillant shares the findings of one of the longest longitudinal studies of human development ever undertaken. The Harvard Grant Study of […] - [A more meaningful life](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/a-more-meaningful-life/): Article published in Watkins Mind Body Spirit – Issue 37 (Spring 2014) What makes life worth living? What makes you get out of bed with a spring in your step? What do you really want? “Feed your addiction”, says the ad for a shopping mall in London as if shopping were the answer to all life’s questions. While it’s true that retail therapy can work wonders, giving us a shot of energy when we’re flagging, the new shoes and smartphone can soon lose their shine. With our possession obsession, it’s all too easy to get distracted from the things that […] - [It’s time to talk](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/its-time-to-talk/): I wonder if the following research surprises you. In 2008 Performance Coaching International surveyed 750 managers in public, private and voluntary sectors about how they addressed poor performance in their staff. They found that 70 percent of the managers said that they were either unable or unwilling to have the “courageous conversation” needed to address underperformance. The managers gave two main reasons. Firstly, there was an underlying fear of having such conversations. Secondly, there was a lack of understanding about how to go about them. When I’ve had to manage an under-performing member of staff, I’ve learnt that having some […] - [What makes a good conversation?](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/what-makes-a-good-conversation/): I’m delighted to welcome you to my blog. I’m excited to be starting a conversation with you about… conversation. I believe that talking together is central in our lives. If we improve how we converse, we enrich our lives. Walking down Oxford Street in central London last week, I saw an ad in the window of HSBC bank. It read: “A world of investments is just one conversation away”. It made me think how valuable a single conversation can be and how a career can change as a result of one short talk. Some years ago, I spoke with a […] ## Pages - [Learn Online](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/learn-online/): Meaningful Conversations: Communicate What Really Matters Transform Difficult Conversations with Active Listening and Communication Confidence Learn with Sarah at Udemy at a pace that suits you. This course includes: Do you ever avoid those tough conversations at work because you’re not sure how they’ll go? Or maybe you dive in, only to find yourself stuck, unable to navigate the complexities of the discussion? You’re not alone—many leaders and employees struggle with having meaningful conversations. Whether it’s addressing conflict, providing feedback, or discussing sensitive topics, it can feel daunting. But what if you could approach these conversations with confidence and clarity?  […] - [Podcast](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/podcast/): Now We’re Talking podcast series with Sarah Rozenthuler Business and leadership coach Sarah Rozenthuler talks to world renowned thinkers in a new podcast series ‘Now We’re Talking.’ Tune in each month, when a new episode is aired. Sign up to the newsletter to keep informed of the latest post. - [How to have meaningful conversations](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/books/how-to-have-meaningful-conversations/): Reviews of ‘How to Have Meaningful Conversations’ Make every word count A practical guide “There are a very few moments that we recall as truly significant shifts in our lives. These often if not always come through conversation. Read this book and understand why – a powerful guide to genuine growth and change.” William Isaacs, author of Dialogue andthe Art of Thinking Together and Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management A powerful book “How to Have Meaningful Conversations by Sarah Rozenthuler is the epitome of excellence in the art of introspective communication. This powerful book provides the tools, […] - [This is a title](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/this-is-a-title/): Test Heading British actor Sir Lenny Henry has questioned the lack of diversity in audiences at British festivals including Glastonbury, remarking that he is ‘interested’ and ‘always surprised’ by the apparent absence of black and Asian faces in the crowds. The Comic Relief co-founder, who shot to fame as the first black performer on the controversial Black And White Minstrel Show, made the comments ahead of the release of his two-part documentary about Caribbean culture in Britain later this month. - [Powered by Purpose](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/books/powered-by-purpose/): Reviews of ‘Powered by Purpose’ The book that everyone is talking about. Recharge your organisation. A practical guide “The world needs organisations to do good whilst making profit. Powered by Purpose is a practical guide for leading an organisation that fulfils both of these needs” Bill Winters, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Provides a map for leaders to follow “Occasionally a book comes along that is of its time. Since the financial crisis in 2008, more and more people have looked to companies for more than just financial performance. Why do we exist, and what is our role in society, have […] - [Now We're talking](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/books/now-were-talking/): How to discuss what really matters Research says that 70% of managers avoid having difficult conversations. This leads to poor decision-making, a cynical atmosphere that rots communication, and people competing rather than collaborating. Avoiding difficult conversations saps our energy, keeps us feeling stuck and blocks positive outcomes. Now We’re Talking, the latest book by Sarah Rozenthuler, aims to overcome the obstacles that stop you from having a difficult conversation and use ‘authentic dialogue’ tools so you can move from avoidance or breakdown to breakthrough. You will learn how to: Discover how to apply cutting-edge tools so people talk about key […] - [Download the Powered by Purpose Playbook](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/newsletter/thank-you/): Download the Powered by Purpose Playbook: 6 Tips to Tune into your Purpose A note from Sarah Thank you for your interest in being Powered by Purpose. I trust you enjoy having a read and completing the exercises. It’s been a deliberate decision not to call this a worksheet but a playbook. I hope you find the activities fun, useful and thought-provoking. Being on purpose creates a win-win-win, enabling individuals, teams and organisations to flourish. All of this begins with you feeling the ‘warm glow’ of your own purpose inside. Enjoy finding yours! Download your Powered by Purpose playbook here. […] - [Newsletter](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/newsletter/): Sign up to my newsletter and receive a FREE Powered By Purpose playbook Subscribe to the latest insights on leadership, purpose and success. Receive a FREE Powered By Purpose playbook with tips on how to tune into your purpose. “I look forward to sharing my insights and knowledge with you” - [Press + Media](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/press-media/): Sarah Rozenthuler has appeared on many national and international radio shows, including BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 4 Today programme and the BBC World Service. Sarah and her books, Now We’re Talking, Powered by Purpose and How to Have Meaningful Conversations have also had extensive coverage in the press, examples of which you can see below. Training Journal Schmidt Science Fellows Liz Earle The Guardian Saïd Business School Transcend Space British Psychological Society Pearson Publishing British Psychological Society CEO Today Authority Magazine The European Boots Magazine Minute Hack Personnel Today BBC News Business Financial Times Psychologies Magazine Stylist Forbes […] - [Thank you](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/contact/thank-you/): Thank you for your enquiry. A copy has been sent to you for your records. Don’t forget to sign up to my newsletter to receive the latest news and updates. Best wishes, Sarah Rozenthuler - [Books](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/books/): Sarah is the award winning author of three impactful books Sarah’s most recent book Now We’re Talking was shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2025. Powered by Purpose, with a foreword by Paul Polman, won the 2021 Best Thought Leadership Book Relocate award. How to Have Meaningful Conversations has a foreword by Neale Donald Walsch and is endorsed by Bill Isaacs, Scilla Elworthy and others. READ Now We’re Talking Practical tools to overcome the obstacles stopping you from having a difficult conversation Powered by Purpose The book that everyone is talking about. Recharge your organisation. How to have Meaningful Conversations […] - [Engage](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/engage/): Leading Leaders Sarah inspires and equips CEOs to take their next step with cutting edge insights and practical how-to’s. As an international speaker, Sarah is renowned for presenting ‘Keyshops’ which combine a keynote talk with an experiential workshop. Through her talks, consulting and coaching, Sarah enables leaders to build strong teams and align stakeholders with a compelling purpose by having the conversations that matter most. “I inspire leaders to do great work” Leadership programmes Through a weave of research, storytelling and practical tools, Sarah’s programmes about leadership, communication and purpose leave people feeling inspired and equipped to take their next […] - [Speaking](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/speaking/): Sarah speaks at international festivals and conferences Sarah Rozenthuler is a world-renowned speaker, Chartered Psychologist and award-winning author of three books. Sarah writes, speaks and teaches about leadership, communication, purpose and wellbeing, including at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and the British Psychological Society, as well as international summits, conferences and offsites. Through a weave of research, storytelling and practical tools, Sarah’s talks leave people feeling inspired and equipped to take their next step with cutting edge insights and practical how-to’s. Sarah Rozenthuler speaks at the International Women’s Day event held by Think GLOBAL WOMEN Speaking engagements Sarah has […] - [Testimonials](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/testimonials/): “Sarah is a gifted listener with deep knowledge and expertise in leadership, communication and team-building” “Sarah is great to work with. She is a gifted listener with deep knowledge and expertise in leadership, communication and team-building. Sarah was the facilitator at our Global HR workshop and inspired the group by bringing the dialogue alive. She has also undertaken ‘complex’ coaching assignments and has been a ‘thinking partner’ on the design of our global leadership workshop.” Simon BrocketInternational HR Director, Twinings Ovaltine “Sarah is able to remove barriers and unlock potential” “Sarah was recommended to me when my company was looking […] - [Cart](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/cart/) - [Privacy Policy](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/privacy-policy/): Who we are Our website address is: www.sarahrozenthuler.com. Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. 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She is the author of Powered by Purpose: Energise people to do great work (2020), with a foreword by Paul Polman and How to have Meaningful Conversations: 7 strategies for talking about what matters (2012, 2019), with a foreword by Neale Donald Walsch. “I engage and energise people to do great work” Winner of the Best Thought Leadership Award Sarah is an award-winning author, international speaker, Chartered Psychologist, podcast host and former street circus performer. Sarah writes, speaks and teaches about leadership, communication, purpose […] - [Contact](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/contact/): For speaking enquiries, events, media appearances, podcasts, or interviews, please fill in the enquiry form below. Newsletter – sign up to receive my FREE Powered By Purpose playbook Subscribe to the latest insights on leadership, purpose and success. Receive a FREE Powered By Purpose playbook with tips on how to tune into your purpose. Contact Us Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis. Have a question?Contact us! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ultrices tincidunt arcu non sodales neque […] - [Home](https://sarahrozenthuler.com/): Energising Leaders to do Great Work Sarah Rozenthuler is a world-renowned speaker, chartered psychologist and leadership coach. She is the author of ‘Now We’re Talking‘, ‘Powered by Purpose’ and ‘How to Have Meaningful Conversations.’ Equipping leadersEmpowering teamsStrengthening organisations Energising Leaders to do Great Work Sarah Rozenthuler is a world-renowned speaker, psychologist and leadership coach. She is the author of ‘Now We’re Talking‘, ‘Powered by Purpose’ and ‘How to Have Meaningful Conversations.’ Equipping leadersEmpowering teamsStrengthening organisations Helping Business, Energy, FMCG, Defence, Government, Universities, Professional Leadership and Executive Education “My purpose is to inspire leaders, empower teams and strengthen organizations to become a force […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)