In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Michelle Gladieux about her book, Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenge. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Quick Recap
Michelle and Jonathan discussed the importance of courage, effective communication, and leadership in personal and professional settings. They explored four hidden challenges in communication and emphasized the need for self-awareness, persistence, and continuous improvement. The conversation covered Michelle's book, "Communicate with Courage," and highlighted the value of seeking feedback and embracing imperfection to foster growth and create positive change in organizations.
Discussing Courage in Leadership
Jonathan and Michelle discussed their shared passion for organizational change and leadership. Michelle, the author of "Communicate with Courage," shared her background as a consultant, executive coach, and professor. She emphasized her commitment to helping others grow as communicators and her experience working with diverse teams across various industries. Jonathan expressed his admiration for Michelle's work and their shared love for organizational change and leadership. The conversation was set to delve deeper into the topic of courage in leadership and communication.
Mastering Communication for Success
Michelle and Jonathan discussed the importance of self-awareness, persistence, and effective communication in personal and professional life. Michelle shared her journey of transitioning from a corporate job to teaching communication skills, emphasizing the need for mastering interpersonal communication. Jonathan agreed, highlighting the value of diverse teams and organizations. They also discussed Michelle's book, which aims to address four hidden challenges in communication: hiding from risk, defining to be right, rationalizing the negative, and settling for good enough. Michelle expressed her desire to reach a wider audience with her book, which she wrote after five years of work and professional editing. Jonathan encouraged the audience to check out the book for a deeper understanding of the topics discussed.
The Power of Courage in Communication
Jonathan and Michelle discussed the importance of courage in communication. They agreed that courage comes from within and is necessary for making decisions and taking actions in personal and professional life. They emphasized that while one can influence others, ultimately, control lies in one's own choices and actions. They highlighted the power of courage in creating a safe environment for others to express themselves, using an example of an organization where one courageous person's actions led to others feeling empowered to speak out. They concluded that courage is vital and should not be underestimated in its impact on personal and professional growth.
Overcoming Hidden Challenges in Leadership
Jonathan and Michelle discussed the importance of courage in leadership and personal development. They highlighted the need for leaders to admit mistakes and be open to constructive feedback to improve their culture and retain high performers. They also discussed four hidden challenges: hiding from risk, defining to be right, rationalizing the negative, and the fear of imperfection. Michelle emphasized the importance of embracing imperfection, testing assumptions, and having faith in positive outcomes. They agreed that these challenges are common and can be overcome with the right mindset and coaching.
Overcoming Communication Challenges With Pro Moves
Michelle discussed the four hidden challenges in communication: the fear of conflict, the need for control, the tendency to assume the worst, and settling for good enough. She emphasized the importance of using 'pro moves' to overcome these challenges, such as offering praise or suggestions to others. Jonathan agreed with Michelle's points, highlighting the need for intellectual humility and effective communication in personal and professional relationships. He also appreciated the coaching aspect of Michelle's book, which encourages readers to apply the concepts to their daily lives. Both agreed on the importance of emotional intelligence in communication, which involves assessing one's emotions and using them productively.
Effective Communication and Continuous Improvement
In the meeting, Michelle and Jonathan discussed the importance of effective communication and the need for continuous improvement. Michelle shared her personal experience of inviting constructive criticism from trusted individuals, which helped her identify areas for improvement. She emphasized the value of seeking feedback and acting on it to grow as a communicator. Jonathan encouraged the audience to reach out to Michelle for more information and to check out her book.
Listen to the webinar here:
