#512: How to Use Candor and Kindness for Profound Leadership Storytelling

Last Saturday, we celebrated our Mom’s 100th birthday.

She is an amazing woman and doing remarkably well for a centenarian.

My mom, Pat, was my first role model for using candor and kindness to make tough conversations easier.

She operates with wonderful tact and grace.

In fact, I remember when I was in the 6th grade having to tell her that a friend I was with at the time, was caught shoplifting some Flicks candy from a drug store.

I asked myself, “How would Mom approach this delicate conversation without upsetting the recipient of the news, in this case, her?”

So I didn’t say he was “busted stealing.” Instead, I said he “tried to take something without paying for it.”

It worked. Instead of mom getting mad, she shrugged her shoulders and said, “That’s too bad.”

I was reminded of this simple moment when I interviewed our guest, Betsy Petrie.

Betsy is a dynamic and experienced workforce development consultant specializing in strategic interpersonal communication for leaders and teams. She wrote the book RAILS-TALK: A Tough Conversations Workbook for People Managers.

You can use it to stay on track when approaching complex topics— without derailing the conversation with unnecessary friction from excessive small talk, judgment, or sugarcoating

Betsy deeply believes this is the key to unlocking individual potential, increasing productivity, and sustaining growth.

Her expertise lies in creating environments that foster trust, engagement, and inspiration.

She has successfully created and implemented practical tools for transformative, high-yield communication.

Betsy deeply believes this is the key to unlocking individual potential, increasing productivity, and sustaining growth.

What’s In It For You:

The five-step RAILS framework helps leaders navigate tough conversations effectively.
Empathy and candor are crucial in communication.
Understanding different communication styles enhances leadership effectiveness.
The platinum rule emphasizes treating others as they wish to be treated.
Defining brand personality aids in effective messaging.