Getting Positive Results from Hard Conversations

Guest: Dr. Marcia Reynolds

Why do difficult conversations so often go wrong, even when you prepare for them?

In this episode, host Maureen Metcalf sits down with Dr. Marcia Reynolds to explore how leaders can turn resistance into meaningful results. While most approaches focus on what to say, Marcia reveals that real change happens when leaders shift mindsets, starting with their own.

Together, they unpack:

• Why knowing what to do rarely leads to behavior change,
• How emotional reactions (both yours and theirs) shape the outcome of every conversation, and
• Why psychological safety is the foundation for honest dialogue and high performance.

You’ll learn how to mentally prepare for difficult conversations, manage your emotional state in the moment, and use a coaching approach that helps others see differently so they can act differently.

This episode offers practical tools for navigating high-stakes conversations with clarity, courage, and care…whether you’re giving feedback, addressing conflict, or guiding someone through change.

Other episodes you'll enjoy:

- Why You Fight Against Your Own Interests with Lord John Alderdice

- Our Emotional Recession: How to Lead When People Are Depleted with Joshua Freedman

- Let’s Talk: Four Steps to Bridging Disagreements with Michael Morrow-Fox

For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES:  

Marcia’s book is Coach the Person, Not the Problem. It’s available in paperback at https://amzn.to/4sEWtIo, and as an audiobook at https://amzn.to/4uMnbR5.

Her prior book is The Discomfort Zone: How Leaders Turn Difficult Conversations into Breakthroughs. You can find it in paperback at https://amzn.to/40PluVk, and as an audiobook at https://amzn.to/4dGfe9L. 

You can also learn a lot more about her work online at https://covisioning.com/.

Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here. 

Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. The Kindle version is available at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 .You’ll find further details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here. 

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OUR PODCAST TEAM:  

Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko

Assistant Editor & Raconteur: Luigi Morelli

(Information requiring higher security clearance than you have): Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox

CONNECT WITH US: 

YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership 

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 

Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com 

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About Our Guest:  

Dr. Marcia Reynolds, president of Covisioning LLC, is endlessly curious about how humans learn and grow. She found coaching to be the best technology we have for accelerating the process of change. She has coached and trained leaders and coaches in 41 countries and has presented at the Harvard Kennedy School, Cornell University, and The National Research University in Moscow. Dr. Reynolds is a pioneer in the coaching profession. She is a founding member and 5th global president of the International Coach Federation. She returned to the board for two years in 2016 where she focused on credentialing requirements and strengthening relationships with coach training schools. She is the Training Director for the Healthcare Coaching Institute and on faculty for the International Coach Academy in Russia and Create China Coaching in China. Global Gurus recognizes her as one of the top 5 coaches in the world. Dr. Reynolds has published 5 books.