What to Say When It’s Not Easy to Say
Lead with Clarity
When stakes are high and emotions run strong, clear communication is your leadership edge. It’s what transforms tension into trust and confusion into momentum.
This month, we’re diving into one of the most essential and most avoided leadership skills: communicating clearly in tough conversations. Whether you're delivering feedback, navigating conflict, or aligning your team, clarity is your most powerful tool.
We're also inviting you to a brand-new free webinar to help you put it into practice right away.
Leadership Tip of the Month💡
3 Habits of Leaders Who Communicate with Clarity
Say the hard thing with heart. Avoiding truth erodes trust.
Set context before content. A 10-second setup changes everything.
Follow up with care. Clarity doesn’t end when the meeting does
Quick Strategy🎯
Coaching Question for Reflection:
“What conversation am I avoiding—and what would change if I showed up with clarity and care?”
The Clarity Playbook for Leaders
Use this toolkit to prep for any conversation with confidence.
Conversation mapping template
“Permission Phrases” that reduce defensiveness
3-step reset method when things get heated
Upcoming Free Webinar🎓
Hard Talks, Better Outcomes: The Clarity Playbook for Leaders
Ready to stop avoiding tough conversations and start leading with confidence?
This is your FREE 30-minute jumpstart.
Save the date: August 28th. 11 AM EST
LinkedIn Topics/Posts Worth Exploring 🔍
Insights from our team to inspire growth, challenge your thinking, and strengthen your leadership.
🔹Messy Projects, Missed Deadlines? Here’s the Real Reason
A short, powerful piece exploring how even the most talented teams can fall short when clarity is missing. It reveals the hidden cause behind messy projects and missed deadlines and what teams can do to fix it.
🔹Values as Your Decision Compass Lead with Purpose. Live with Impact.
A brief, insightful reflection on how values can serve as a reliable compass during uncertain times. It highlights the role of core principles in guiding tough decisions and finding clarity when the way forward isn’t obvious.
Workshop Highlights 💼
👥 GUC iLead
It was a joy to be with this year’s iLead cohort future business leaders bringing energy and vision to their organizations.
🏦 NC School of Banking
Nearly 200 bankers came together this summer to invest in their leadership and professional growth. I had the privilege of leading the Leadership content across all class years. From discovering our leadership “why” to navigating real-time communication, it was a week full of insight, reflection, and growth.
Need a Strategic Sounding Board? 🤝
Coaching isn’t about fixing—it’s about refining. If you're navigating change or seeking new energy, a leadership coach can help you get clear, stay focused, and lead with greater purpose.
Let’s talk about what’s next.