Direct talk about tough topics is intimidating, but it’s the path to trust. Leading with genuine empathy can transform a difficult conversation into a safe space for connection.

Some people just have *it*—that effortless ability to hold a conversation, make people feel at ease, and keep things flowing naturally. But the truth is, great conversationalists aren’t born that way.

As humans, we’re talking to each other constantly. With all that practice, we must be pretty good at it—right? Not exactly. As a professor at Harvard Business School and author of Talk: The Science of ...

Difficult conversations: We all have them. They come up because things change, especially during a pandemic. We’re dealing with layoffs, work from home, back-to-school, forced isolation or forced ...

Make conversations less awkward with this easy tactic. Yes-or-no questions keep conversations from settling into a good flow—or end it before it really starts. The best conversation starters invite ...

Do it right and you’ll gain people’s respect.

For leaders, keeping your workforce engaged and happy in 2025 is more than just the pay packet, working conditions, and benefits. The social contract between employers and employees has changed ...

As discussed in a previous column, it’s possible to speak assertively without being an assertive person. Jefferson Fisher, author of The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More, offers wise and ...

Leda Stawnychko has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Anamika Choudhary does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company ...

For some restaurant managers, holding employees accountable is second nature. For others, it’s a nerve-wracking challenge. They don’t want to come across as mean, risk pushback, or damage ...

We all have that one friend who, no matter the situation, finds a way to bring the conversation back to themselves. It doesn’t matter what you’re talking about. They can relate anything you say to ...