S10-Ep29: Let's Talk - Four Steps to Bridging Workplace, Political, and Family Disagreements

Guest: Michael Morrow-Fox, Organizational Development & Leadership Consultant They say talk is cheap, but not listening can be very expensive. Yet many leaders don’t listen to their teams, especially in today’s climate of disagreements and divisiveness. So how can you have these difficult conversations, and keep your team running smoothly?   Our guest, Mike Morrow-Fox, has the answer: conversational receptiveness. It’s a four step technique that moves the needle on workplace dialogue, so the leader hears important information, and the speaker knows their voice has been heard and respected. Mike gives the details in this episode. Here's what Mike and Maureen cover: The four distinct steps to conversational receptiveness; How this can be used for any difficult conversation, from mild disagreements to full conflict resolution; and The critical role your own mood and mindset play in getting positive results in any conversation. For more expert insights on communication and conflict resolution, check these episodes: Empathy, Dialogue, & A Good Mood: An Ambassador Reveals What Leaders Need in Crisis with Ambassador Thomas Greminger & Peter Cunningham Effectively Addressing Values Conflicts with John Heiser Finding Peace in Conflict: Northern Ireland & Beyond with John, Lord Alderdice   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   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. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Everyday Ubuntu: Living Better Together, the African Way by Mungi Ngomane. Hardback (https://amzn.to/48Doh6j) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/48YCRF4) Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First by Martha Piper & Indira Samarasekera. Paperback (https://amzn.to/3tOtzg4) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/41OYdT5) Jilly Truit murder mysteries by Beverley McLachlin: Full Disclosure – https://amzn.to/46TxW6Q (paperback) https://amzn.to/46VDL3Q (audiobook) Denial – https://amzn.to/46YCbhs (paperback) https://amzn.to/3GJc0AA (audiobook) Women and Leadership: Journey Toward Equity by Sherylle J. Tan & Lisa DeFrank-Cole   NOTE: As an Amazon partner, we may make a small commission from books you buy through these links.   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Brilliant Conversationalist: Jenna Reik Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Threads: @innovativeleaders X/Twitter/Whatever New Name It Has This Week: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  TikTok: @innovativeleadership Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Michael Morrow-Fox, MBA, EdS, is a consultant with the Innovative Leadership Institute experienced in health care, education, banking, government, and non-profit management.   Michael has over 20 years of experience in leading technology and human resources operations, as well as several years of full-time university teaching. Michael uses this background to blend his real-world understanding with current theoretical models helping his clients reach goals beyond their current thinking.   Michael has experience managing a 50 million dollar technology budget, helping a technology startup company get off the ground, overseeing an international nonprofit organization achieve ‘best place to work’ status, and leading organizational education for a city government. Michael’s st