In this solo episode, I explore one of the biggest barriers to leadership and team performance: avoiding tough conversations. The truth is, the biggest problem in communication is often the illusion that it is happening. When difficult conversations are handled poorly, or not at all, we see misunderstandings, low morale, stalled innovation, and a breakdown of trust.
I share insights from psychology and neuroscience on why people shut down or get defensive under stress, and how leaders can shift conversations from threat to trust. We look at the difference between healthy debate and destructive conflict, and why creating psychological safety is the foundation of open dialogue and collaboration.
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In this solo episode, I explore one of the biggest barriers to leadership and team performance: avoiding tough conversations. The truth is, the biggest problem in communication is often the illusion that it is happening. When difficult conversations are handled poorly, or not at all, we see misunderstandings, low morale, stalled innovation, and a breakdown of trust.
I share insights from psychology and neuroscience on why people shut down or get defensive under stress, and how leaders can shift conversations from threat to trust. We look at the difference between healthy debate and destructive conflict, and why creating psychological safety is the foundation of open dialogue and collaboration.
Today on the Lead Well podcast my guest is David Crimmins, a seasoned leader with a deep track record in health-tech, scaling businesses, and securing investment for high-growth companies. As the former CEO of WebDoctor—now Medihive—David led the company through two major investment rounds, growing its valuation to over €60 million and strengthening its position in the digital healthcare space. Before that, he was a key player in the success of GloHealth, helping to build one of Ireland’s most innovative health insurance providers. His leadership journey also includes earlier roles at Tesco and Citibank, where he honed his skills in marketing, sales, and commercial strategy.
In this conversation, we’re diving into what it takes to scale a business, make tough leadership decisions, and stay resilient under pressure. We’ll talk about:
The biggest lessons David learned transitioning into the CEO role.
How to balance growth and culture while leading in a high-stakes industry.
His personal strategies for handling pressure, maintaining focus, and leading through uncertainty.
Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or just interested in how high-growth businesses succeed, there’s a lot to take away from this conversation.
Lead Well with Mark O'Reilly
In this solo episode, I explore one of the biggest barriers to leadership and team performance: avoiding tough conversations. The truth is, the biggest problem in communication is often the illusion that it is happening. When difficult conversations are handled poorly, or not at all, we see misunderstandings, low morale, stalled innovation, and a breakdown of trust.
I share insights from psychology and neuroscience on why people shut down or get defensive under stress, and how leaders can shift conversations from threat to trust. We look at the difference between healthy debate and destructive conflict, and why creating psychological safety is the foundation of open dialogue and collaboration.
