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.
In this first episode of The Leadership Paradox series, I introduce the core idea: why today’s most effective leaders are increasingly at risk of burnout — and why achieving both high performance and personal wellbeing is not a given, it’s a skillset.
I’ll share why I believe this is one of the most urgent leadership challenges of our time, based on research and what I see in boardrooms, coaching conversations, and leadership teams.
We’ll explore the key tension at the heart of the paradox: the more trusted, capable, and high-performing you become, the greater the risk to your own energy, clarity, and wellbeing — unless you consciously develop new habits and skills.
And I’ll outline the roadmap for this series: the core skills transformational leaders need to master to thrive sustainably — not just perform, but grow and stay well while leading.
If you’re a leader who wants to scale your impact without sacrificing yourself in the process, this series is for you.
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.
