EntreLeadership The 3 Mistakes People Make in Hard Conversations (and How to Avoid Them)
14 snips
Feb 2, 2026 Brendan Wojcicow, a board member and leadership expert who builds tools for dignity-focused accountability. He shares why leaders avoid hard talks, the power of a written plan or script, and simple ways to open and keep conversations short and respectful. Listens cover distinguishing hurt from harm and how preparation preserves trust and solves problems.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Firing Led To An Unexpected Calm Response
- Brendan recounts seeing a calm, gracious text from the spouse of someone he had fired and being surprised by how well the interaction went.
- That moment prompted him to study why most difficult conversations fail and what made this one succeed.
Hard Conversations Are Unmodeled Skills
- Brendan realized difficult conversations are hard because the skill is rarely modeled for people.
- He concluded that lack of examples, not complexity, makes these conversations feel impossible.
Always Bring A Written Plan
- Do prepare a written plan or script before a difficult conversation so you don't wing it.
- Use the script as a literal read if you're nervous, or as a guide if you have experience.
