EPISODE · Jun 24, 2025 · 55 MIN
How To Have Difficult Conversations With Melanie Whitney
from Coffee with Kim · host Melanie Whitney, Kim Kaupe
Timestamps:07:46 Why did Melanie choose to go into this industry09:43 What are people missing most in hard conversation12:48 Two tools to use in hard conversations19:20 What can you do in the moment when you feel tensions rise23:50 How to handle disagreements with a power imbalance29:47 What to do with oversharing at work40:05 Resources and books44:16 Admitting your shortcomings to your team49:39 Homework assignment If you loved this episode you should check out this episode How To Initiate Hard Conversations With Marlene D. Chism If you enjoyed today’s episode, please:1.) Sign up for notes at copymyhomework.com for a full list of resources, links and recommendations listed on today’s episode.2.) Post a screenshot of the episode & tag me on LinkedIn or Instagram @kimkaupe so we can talk about your favorite parts!3.) Leave a positive review (shameless, but someone’s gotta say it right?!)4.) Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app. Connect with Kim over on the socials!Instagram + TikTok: @kimkaupeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkaupe
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What this episode covers
If you were to ask me, talking people through conflict and awkward conversations at work would be my idea of a terrifying job but this weeks guest does it daily and with true confidence. Melanie Whitney, blends science, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence to help turn conflict into connection. She explained to us how ego plays a part in our conversations and what ego really means (not that we’re just full of ourselves.) We talk about the magic of slowing down—even if it’s hard, even for five minutes—to actually give ourselves a fighting chance at responding rather than reacting in those pressure-cooker moments and she shared some tips for hard conversations when there’s a power dynamic difference or you’re a leader who’s made a mistake. You’ll also walk away with easy, science-backed tools for practicing compassion when tensions rise in a meeting and a super simple “to be” list technique you can put next to your never-ending to-dos—trust me, this one can change everything. Curious about how all this plays out in real situations and why even seasoned leaders freeze up or overshare? This conversation was full of really helpful insights and Melanie shared some incredible resources and tricks we can implement right away.
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How To Have Difficult Conversations With Melanie Whitney
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