This week on The Sow to Speak Podcast, we’re diving into one of the trickiest parts of leadership: giving feedback on underperformance during tough conversations.
Whether addressing a new teammate, navigating power dynamics with a former peer, or managing a challenging direct report, these conversations test your emotional intelligence and communication skills. In this episode, I share practical human strategies to prepare yourself and handle these situations with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
What You’ll Learn:
Why emotional intelligence is key to grounding yourself before a tough talk.
How to use self-awareness, empathy, and self-compassion to set the tone for productive conversations.
Step-by-step strategies for navigating three tough scenarios:
Giving feedback to a new teammate missing deadlines.
Addressing dismissive behavior from a friend-turned-direct-report.
Holding a difficult team member accountable for offloading their work.
How the Personification Posse archetypes (like The Worrier, The Whipper, and The Wise One) show up in these moments—and how to work with them.
Episode Highlights:
Why prep matters: Feedback is about more than fixing behavior; it’s about showing up as the leader you want to be.
Scenario 1: A new teammate missing deadlines → Lead with curiosity, set expectations, and collaborate on solutions.
Scenario 2: A dismissive former peer → Start with curiosity, call out specific behaviors, and tie feedback to team values.
Scenario 3: A difficult direct-report → Acknowledge their contributions, focus on behavior not the person, and set clear expectations.
Big takeaway: Tough talks are never easy, but they’re an essential skill for leaders committed to creating authentic, supportive, and high-performing teams.
Take the Next Step:
Join me this Tuesday, December 17th for my free workshop "Conversations that Connect: Mastering the Art of Navigating Tough Talks" where we’ll dive even deeper into these strategies and practice tools you can use immediately.
Register here and save your spot!
Until next time, remember: the most effective feedback starts with connection. You’ve got this.
WORK WITH ME
If you’re ready to become a master communicator, book a free discovery call here to learn more about my Lead Out Loud program. Spots are limited so be sure to grab yours today. Together, let’s transform your hesitant voice into a powerful presence once and for all.
Dive into the details about the Lead Out Loud program here.
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