September 4, 2024
If the thought of having a tough conversation with someone you manage makes you want to bolt, you’re not alone – and there’s actually a ton of science behind it. Our brains just aren’t wired to enjoy this part of management, which can be a significant barrier to your leadership success. In fact, they’re working hard to steer us away from these conversations.
Despite what your brain is telling you, confidently navigating tough conversations is the backbone of your leadership success. If your goal is to have a high-performing team, it’s crucial to step up as a high-performing leader yourself.
Tough love, I know.
But with practice, you can actually train your brain to see these convos as opportunities to embrace, not turn away from, and grow into the leader your team needs. Before you can do that, though, it’s helpful to have a solid understanding of the mental processes that could be holding you back.
So what exactly goes on in your brain when an employee issue pops up, and why does it matter for your leadership success?
Tune into this week’s episode of On The Up & Up to learn about:
🏃♀️ Fight or flight mode
🤷♀️ Cognitive dissonance
🗣️ Social conditioning
👎 Negativity bias
😡 Emotional regulation challenges
🫣 Fear of the unknown
..all within the context of leading a team. And we’ll also talk about a framework for recognizing when a difficult conversation can solve a problem, and how to confidently tackle it head-on, every time.
Ep. 92: Is Your Brain Sabotaging Your Leadership Success?
Listen Now
Links Mentioned:
Tackling Tough Conversations Masterclass: https://the-paradigm.com/tackling-tough-conversations
If you want to hear even more science behind the challenges of leadership, check out our recent episode on unconscious biases in hiring: “Ep. 82: Are These 5 Biases in Hiring Sabotaging Your Dream Team?”