Why Managers Avoid Critical Conversations and What To Do About It (feat. Lee Scott)

In this episode, leadership coach Lee Scott explores why so many managers avoid hard conversations and what to do about it. He shares how fear, unclear expectations, and lack of training often hold leaders back from saying what needs to be said.

Lee offers practical tools for building the courage and clarity to step into uncomfortable conversations with confidence. From naming the gap between intention and impact to creating environments where feedback is safe and expected, this conversation is a candid look at the human side of leadership growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Avoiding hard conversations is often rooted in fear and self-protection.
2. Clarity of expectations is key to building healthy accountability.
3. Managers need support and practice to develop relational courage.
4. Feedback is most effective when it names both intent and impact.
5. Psychological safety starts with leaders modeling honesty and curiosity.

Additional Resources:

Lee Scott, Founder & Chief Change Agent, Unleashing Leaders: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unleashingleaders/

Unleashing Leaders: http://www.unleashingleaders.com

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Unleashingleaders

Leadership Conversation Series (Course): https://unleashingleadersuniversity.com/leadership-conversations-series

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/