Best Difficultconversations Podcasts (2025)

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Handling the Tough Return to the Workplace Conversation 23:25

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4d ago23:25

23:25

In this episode of The People Mentor Podcast, Nicola Richardson explores how to have honest, respectful return-to-work conversations when employees prefer remote working. She shares how to balance business needs with empathy, why blanket rules can damage trust, and how listening and flexibility help rebuild engagement after change. Nicola also offe…

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Why Empathetic Leaders Often Struggle Most With Directness (And What to Do) 18:45

12d ago18:45

18:45

When caring too much starts to cost you clarity. Empathy is one of the greatest strengths a leader can have. But when it turns into over-caring, avoidance, or guilt, it can quietly hold you back. In this episode, I explore why empathetic leaders often struggle most with being direct, how it manifests in everyday conversations, and the small shifts …

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The Secret Blame Game: How Good Leaders Really Build Trust 20:43

19d ago20:43

20:43

Tired of workplace finger-pointing destroying your team? Discover why blame culture spreads like wildfire through organisations and how smart leaders flip it into ownership. Discover the neuroscience behind blame, recognise the warning signs, and acquire practical tools to transform toxic conversations into trust-building moments. Perfect for manag…

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Managing Managers for the First Time -The Reality Nobody Prepares You For 13:52

26d ago13:52

13:52

Managing Managers for the First Time I thought this would be just like leading my old team, but bigger. I was so wrong. If This Sounds Like You, This Episode Is Essential: ❌ Your old success moves now create bottlenecks ❌ Direct instructions that used to work are failing ❌ You feel like you're failing at everything ❌ Your confidence has been knocke…

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Culture First: Why Your Leadership Sets the Tone for Every Conversation 11:50

1M ago11:50

11:50

Your workplace conversations are broken. I'm here to fix them. In this episode, I'm tackling something that is often overlooked - your workplace culture. Not the glossy values stuck on your website. I'm talking about the authentic culture -the one your team experiences every single day. You'll discover why you can prep your words perfectly, but if …

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How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt and Stop Exhaustion for Leaders 17:04

1M ago17:04

17:04

That stomach-dropping feeling when someone asks for just five minutes of your time? The way you end up hiding in staff toilets just to get a moment's peace? You're not alone. In this episode, I dive into the real reason managers struggle to say no at work - and it's not what you think. It's not about being too nice or lacking assertiveness. The tru…

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What to Do When Employees Complain About Their Manager 17:28

2M ago17:28

17:28

One of the most awkward situations you'll face as a senior manager is when staff come to you complaining about their boss. After 33 years of managing teams, I know this one inside and out, having been on both sides of it. These complaints can spiral into massive problems if you get them wrong. Team morale suffers, and productivity declines. But you…

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The Unspoken Cost of Being the Strong One at Work 19:29

2M ago19:29

19:29

Being the strong one at work might win you praise, but it comes at a hidden cost. In this episode, I unpack what it really takes to continuously hold it together, why it quietly drains leaders, and how to shift from carrying everyone else's weight to leading with steadiness that doesn't burn you out. If you've ever felt like you can't let the crack…

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Managing a Sulker in the Workplace Without Losing Your Patience 15:40

2M ago15:40

15:40

Some team members sulk when things don't go their way. It's draining. It slows everyone down. And it tests your patience. In this episode, I share how to spot the signs early, why ignoring them makes things worse, and the practical steps you can take to turn the mood around without losing control. If you've ever had to manage someone who retreats i…

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How to Stop Your Inner Critic From Hijacking Your Difficult Conversations 11:58

2M ago11:58

11:58

By Nicola Richardson

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When Apologies Fall Flat - What's Behind Those Repeated Patterns 20:43

3M ago20:43

20:43

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a half-hearted "sorry"? You know the type. The apology that leaves you feeling worse than before. In this episode, I'm breaking down why apologies go wrong. And how to say sorry in a way that rebuilds trust. If you lead a team, work with clients, or ever find yourself saying, "I didn't mean to upset you," …

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Boost Your Career Resilience with Continuous Growth Strategies 16:15

3M ago16:15

16:15

Feeling stuck or worn down by all the changes in your career? In this episode of No Room for Fluff: The Workplace Edit, I explore how to build long-term career resilience, so you can stay grounded, keep growing and feel more in control no matter what work throws at you. From identifying your core values and strengths to practical tips on reflection…

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Navigating High-Stress Work Transitions -Strategies for Maintaining Composure and Professionalism 27:27

3M ago27:27

27:27

Feeling the pressure of a high-stakes transition at work? Whether you're juggling deadlines, stepping into a new role, or navigating difficult colleagues, this episode is your toolkit for staying calm, clear, and in control. Nicola shares practical strategies to manage stress, communicate with impact, and lead yourself through uncertain times, with…

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That One Person Who Always Gets Under Your Skin 14:05

3M ago14:05

14:05

Have you ever had that one person who gets under your skin? The passive-aggressive emailer, the meeting hijacker, or the colleague who always plays the victim? In this episode of No Room for Fluff: The Workplace Edit, I'm breaking down what's really going on underneath the behaviour, and how to take back control without it becoming a drama. Whether…

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Is it Conflict or Just Miscommunication 20:24

3M ago20:24

20:24

Ever felt tension in your team and thought, “Uh-oh, here we go”? Before you brace for conflict, pause. It might just be miscommunication. In this episode, I’m sharing the subtle signs to look for, what’s going on in people’s minds (including yours), and how to prevent misunderstandings before they escalate. If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking, “…

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How to Tackle Poor Performance When You Have an Unsupportive Boss 15:39

1y ago15:39

15:39

In this episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the challenge of managing an underperforming team member when your boss undermines your efforts. She provides practical strategies for: - Documenting performance issues systematically - Having constructive conversations with underperforming employees - Creating and implementing effective Person…

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Dealing with Employee Social Media Activities for better business 22:45

1y ago22:45

22:45

Struggling with employee social media issues? In this must-listen episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the challenge of confronting staff about inappropriate online behaviour. You'll learn practical strategies for professionally addressing social media concerns, protecting your business, and strengthening team relationships. Discover how …

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Why Being 'Too Nice' is Hurting Your Business -The Case for Constructive Criticism 17:36

1y ago17:36

17:36

In this episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the thorny issue of being 'too nice' in the workplace. With her signature blend of warmth and straight-talking advice, Nicola explains why avoiding difficult conversations can hurt your business. She shares practical strategies for delivering constructive criticism effectively, including the po…

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How to Have a Successful Difficult Conversation With Your Boss 9:56

1y ago9:56

9:56

Nobody enjoys difficult conversations, and if you need to have such a conversation with your boss, it can intensify the feelings of dread and anxiety you might have. In this podcast, I share my tips and techniques for having successful, difficult conversations with your boss that will help improve your relationship.…

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How to Support Neurodiverse Employees with Challenging Conversations for Better Results 17:41

1+ y ago17:41

17:41

Join Nicola from The People Mentor as she shares valuable insights on creating an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse individuals. Learn practical strategies to support employees with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurological differences during difficult conversations. Discover how small adjustments alongside empathy can lead to better commun…

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How to Manage Emotions in a Difficult Conversation to Remain Calm 10:01

1+ y ago10:01

10:01

Difficult conversations trigger our fight-or-flight response, so it’s not surprising that managing emotions can feel difficult. In this episode of The People Mentor podcast, Nicola shares some strategies for staying calm, empathetic, and focused on constructive solutions.By Nicola Richardson

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How to Lead in a Crisis - Strategies for Thriving in Volatile Times 13:28

1+ y ago13:28

13:28

If recent years have taught us anything, it’s that you can never be too prepared for a crisis. But how prepared are you? How can you be the leader that people need in times of crisis so that everyone thrives instead of just surviving? In this podcast, I share some strategies for thriving in volatile times.…

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How to Unleash the Leadership Power of Grit and Grace 7:50

1+ y ago7:50

7:50

Compassionate leadership is badly needed in an increasingly stressful world. However, how do leaders balance compassion with strength and professionalism? I explore this, particularly in relation to difficult conversations.By Nicola Richardson

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How to Decode Office Politics for Professional Growth to Lead Authentically 9:47

1+ y ago9:47

9:47

You love your job. But the one thing that takes the shine off it is the office politics. The taking credit for people’s work. The blame culture. The gossiping and the backbiting. It can really discourage people and affect performance, and it can even affect your integrity as a leader. Here’s how you can navigate negative office politics while maint…

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Episode 1: How to be a Mindful Leader for Nurturing Success and Well-being 23:17

1+ y ago23:17

23:17

What if I told you that the single most important factor in your success as a leader is knowing yourself? That understanding how you think and react can make you a more effective, compassionate, and innovative leader? This episode of The People Mentor podcast is all about mindful leadership and how to use this self-knowledge to be present and culti…

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Episode 15: In Burnout, Intensified Times, How to Have Calm Difficult Conversations 16:17

2+ y ago16:17

16:17

Welcome to my podcast, your go-to guide for leading with heart and results in high-pressure times. Today I am chatting about all things burnout prevention, handling tough conversations, and boosting team well-being. Peppered with actionable advice, expert insights, and a hearty dose of empathy, this is your essential toolkit to navigate leadership …

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Episode 14: How to manage long-term employees who are resistant to your approach 19:34

2+ y ago19:34

19:34

Are you struggling to manage long-term employees who have become challenging in your business? In my latest podcast, I provide you with valuable strategies and insights on effectively navigating this situation. Discover how to unlock the potential of these employees, foster a positive work environment, and drive the continued success of your team. …

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Episode 13: How to Increase Productivity in Your SME Team to Achieve the Results You Want 17:15

2+ y ago17:15

17:15

Looking to boost productivity in your SME team? Look no further! My podcast, "How to Increase Productivity in Your SME Team to Achieve the Results You Want," is packed with actionable strategies to optimise your team's efficiency. Join me as I explore time management, effective delegation, and productivity that will help you achieve outstanding res…

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Episode 12: How to build a powerful culture in your SME business 17:45

2+ y ago17:45

17:45

Today I’m sharing some insights today about building a powerful culture in your SME business. A strong company culture is the secret sauce that can take your business to new heights. It's not just about having a cool office or fancy perks; it's about creating an environment where your employees can thrive, be engaged, and deliver their best work. A…

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Episode 11: Can leadership skills be learned or are they innate? 10:47

2+ y ago10:47

10:47

Can leadership skills be learned or are they innate? In this episode of The People Mentor podcast, I talk about whether leadership is in our nature or whether leadership skills can be nurtured. Here’s my take on it.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 10: How your leadership skills improve the performance of the whole team 13:42

2+ y ago13:42

13:42

What impact do your leadership skills have on the performance of your team? In leadership, how you speak, how you act, and the decisions you make can have a direct effect on your employees, in positive and negative ways. In this podcast, we’ll be looking at the leadership skills to develop for high-performing teams and the leadership behaviours you…

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Episode 9: How to Have Difficult Conversations at Work and Win 11:55

2+ y ago11:55

11:55

Do you enter into a difficult conversation with the intention of ‘winning?’ If you want a positive outcome, that’s not the best way to go about it. The art of having successful difficult conversations is in finding common ground and a way forward that’s acceptable to all parties. Here are my tips on how to get the best out of tough conversations.…

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Episode 8: How to Have a Successful Productive Conversation with a Neurodiverse Employee 13:01

2+ y ago13:01

13:01

The benefits of having neurodiverse people on your team are increasingly being recognised. However, along with these benefits, there are challenges, one of which is communication. In this podcast, I’m looking at how to have a successful and productive conversation with a neurodiverse employee.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 7: How to Develop Your Confidence as a Manager of People 13:35

2+ y ago13:35

13:35

Does your confidence as a manager of people need work? Behind every confident team is a confident manager. In this podcast, I’ll be sharing tips on how to increase your confidence so that in turn, your team becomes happier, more innovative, and more productive.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 6: What do new managers need to know to lead a team to success? 10:16

2+ y ago10:16

10:16

As a new manager, it's crucial you understand how to lead your team to success. Effective leadership has a far-reaching impact, not just on the immediate team, but on the overall business and its success. That's why I have pulled together in this podcast, 10 tips for new managers to help you get started on the right foot…

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Episode 5: Why Holding Difficult Conversations Virtually Is Never A Good Idea 11:48

2+ y ago11:48

11:48

Difficult conversations are challenging enough and holding them remotely adds another layer of difficulty. There’s more room for misunderstanding and feelings getting hurt, not to mention the difficulties that trying to read body language when you’re not in the same room can bring. Here’s why I think holding difficult conversations virtually is nev…

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Episode 4: What Leadership Skills are Most Important in SMEs? 23:15

2+ y ago23:15

23:15

Managers in SME businesses tend to wear a lot of hats. In the space of a day, they deal with daily trivia as well as the higher-level strategic stuff and coordinating all the different parts of the business. All of that against a backdrop of constant and sometimes seismic change. It’s a balancing act that requires the right leadership skills. But w…

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Episode 3: How to deliver bad news without upsetting the whole team 18:38

2+ y ago18:38

18:38

Nobody likes delivering bad news. But how do you deliver bad news without upsetting the whole team? In this podcast, I look at how delivering bad news successfully is all in your approach and give you some examples of scenarios and how to deal with them.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 2: How to talk about what matters the most at work 13:30

2+ y ago13:30

13:30

How meaningful are the conversations you have at work? How can you go from superficial small talk and dancing around the real issues to talking about what matters the most at work? In this podcast, I look at how to make your conversations more meaningful, and how you can use them to create that welcoming and productive culture in your team.…

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Episode 1: How To Have Difficult Conversations At Work Without Crying 19:35

3y ago19:35

19:35

What is your worst fear about difficult conversations? For many people, it’s the fear that they’ll lose control of their emotions. They worry they’ll storm out, get angry, or start crying. While it can be tough to keep your cool during an intense conversation, it is possible to have difficult conversations at work without crying. Here’s how.…

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Episode 28: Crucial conversations versus radical candour - which one is best? 19:11

3y ago19:11

19:11

What is the key to handling those crucial conversations better? Is radical candour the way forward? In this podcast, I look at some approaches to dealing with difficult conversations to get the best outcome for you and for the other person.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 27: Difficult Conversations - Navigating the Boss Versus Friend Relationship 14:36

3y ago14:36

14:36

Managing relationships with team members can be tricky at the best of times, but what about when you add managing people you consider as friends to the mix? This podcast looks at how to navigate the difficult conversations and situations that can arise.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 26: Difficult Conversations - What To Do When a Co-Worker Undermines You 9:38

3+ y ago9:38

9:38

The state of your working relationships can be an important factor in whether you are happy and productive at work, or not. When a co-worker undermines you it can make you feel isolated and excluded at best. At worst, it can affect your mental health and even make you want to leave your role. So what should you do when a co-worker undermines you?…

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Episode 25: Difficult Conversations Series - When Personal Relationships at Work Become a Problem 10:17

3+ y ago10:17

10:17

Have you ever had a personal relationship at work? We all spend a lot of time at work so it’s inevitable that relationships will happen. Today’s podcast looks at whether managers need to get involved in such a private thing and what to do when relationships at work become a problem.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 24: How to Support Your Grieving Team Member in the Workplace 15:29

3+ y ago15:29

15:29

The death of someone close is always painful and can spill over into the workplace. As a manager and leader knowing how to support your team member can seem hard and often the person's grief is acknowledged when they return to the office and then a few days later forgotten. This podcast looks at what we need to do to support our team members in the…

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Episode 23: What to Do When an Employee is Having Personal Problems 6:00

3+ y ago6:00

6:00

Whatever team you have there will be a point when a team member has personal problems. How to support the team member is a key question for managers and leaders.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 22: Want to Grow The Business - Engage Your Team 10:12

3+ y ago10:12

10:12

Want to grow the business? Then you need your team behind you and fully engaged? Are you seeing signs that indicate that you may have a problem? This podcast looks at what signs need taking noticing of and then some ideas to help you re-energise your team.By Nicola Richardson

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Be The Bad-Ass Leader People Want To Follow 41:38

3+ y ago41:38

41:38

I was recently interviewed about my new book by Kathryn Thompson, host of Be the Sought After Entrepreneur. We had an exciting conversation about my book, Mouse in the Room, and I went over some key points on being the bad-ass leader people want to follow! We discuss: How to have radical personal transformation. The RIGHT way to say what's on your …

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Episode 21: How to Have a Tough Conversation While Maintaining Respect in the Workplace 13:03

3+ y ago13:03

13:03

It can be hard to have a tough conversation. You want to be direct, but you don't want to seem disrespectful. You want to get your point across, but you don't want to offend the other person. Today's podcast talks about maintaining respect in the workplace when having a tough conversation.By Nicola Richardson

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Episode 20: How to Recover After a Difficult Conversation 9:28

3+ y ago9:28

9:28

We’ve all been there. We’ve all had a difficult conversation at work with employees or our boss. That feeling that your stomach is in knots and of not being in control of your emotions can be awful. Even though you feel relieved when the conversation is over, it’s important to check in with yourself and with the other person; to debrief and decompr…