Most communication fails because people aren't communicating well with themselves first. Leadership expert Molly Tschang, co-author of "Say It Skillfully" with Marshall Goldsmith, joins Adrian and Chester to unpack why those post-meeting sidebar conversations are killing team alignment, and what leaders can do about it.
In this conversation, you'll discover the difference between being direct and being destructive, why vulnerability makes senior executives uncomfortable (and why it's essential anyway), and how to create the kind of psychological safety that actually moves teams forward. If you've ever struggled with having difficult conversations or wondered why your team isn't as aligned as you thought, this episode cuts straight to the practical solutions that work.
00:00 Introduction to Effective Communication
00:30 Meet Molly Tschang: Transforming Team Communication
01:59 The Importance of Trust in Leadership
03:54 Addressing Sidebar Conversations
06:19 Say It Skillfully: Finding Your Authentic Voice
11:58 Real-Life Examples and Executive Presence
16:13 Handling Difficult Personalities at Work
19:05 Building Credibility and Offering Constructive Feedback
21:01 The Importance of Transparency in Leadership
22:01 Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Dissent
24:18 Aligning Leadership Actions with Cultural Values
28:47 Addressing Politeness and Realness in Organizational Culture
30:24 Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership Insights
35:03 Final Thoughts and Resources for Growth
Follow Adrian, Chester and Molly:
Connect with Adrian Gostick | Chester Elton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecultureworksofficial/
Website: https://thecultureworks.com/
Connect with Molly:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollytschang/
Website: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/