Leadership In Action: Issues and Observations—Realizing the Power of Candid Conversations

Issues & Observations: Realizing the Power of Candid Conversations

TZiPi Radonsky and Lyndon Rego

There is little doubt that the ability to communicate effectively is one of the most critical skills for leaders. And yet, as playwright George Bernard Shaw once stated, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” The way that conversations are conducted matters a great deal, not only in the workplace but also in the community and in the home. Bringing candor to conversations is not always easy. Conversations are often affected by ego, limited by the level of trust, and guarded for fear of being hurt or of hurting others. As a result people often speak to others in ways that are evasive and cautious— the ...