In this episode, I talk to Daniel Tocchini, co-founder and senior partner at Take New Ground, about how conflict, when handled with intention, becomes a leader’s greatest tool and why avoiding tough conversations may be the biggest leadership mistake of all. This episode is a masterclass in effective leadership communication and how it shapes team dynamics, culture, and results.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Effective Leadership Communication Tips to Overcome Conflict Better:
- Great leadership begins with self-awareness and the ability to understand the impact of one’s communication. Effective leadership communication starts with recognizing how messages are received and adapting accordingly.
- Effective leaders focus on how their message is received, build trust through empathy, and prioritize relationships that strengthen team performance. These are foundational elements of creating a culture of accountability.
- The greatest enemy is blame and self-centered thinking that shifts focus away from team outcomes. Leaders build stronger cultures when individuals take full responsibility, step up for one another, and work toward results that benefit the entire team.
- Signs of misalignment include avoidance of accountability, vague communication, and silence around poor performance. Realignment begins when leaders create space for honest dialogue, surface what’s not being said, and encourage a shared commitment to the goal. These practices are essential when learning how to have difficult conversations at work.
- Culture fails to change when important conversations stay hidden under the surface. Change begins when leaders bring these off-limits topics into the open, make them part of everyday dialogue, and guide the team with intention and clarity—hallmarks of effective leadership communication.
- A survival-based culture reacts out of fear and focuses on self-preservation. A generative culture leans into challenges, stays curious, and uses setbacks as opportunities to grow, unlocking lasting progress and deeper alignment.
- Effective leaders prepare by defining their intent, identifying the core issue, and reflecting on their own role in the situation. This preparation leads to clearer communication, better listening, and more productive outcomes, especially when the conversation is tough. These preparation strategies are key when exploring how to have difficult conversations at work.
- The first step is to address the conversations they’ve been avoiding. By identifying what’s missing and taking action instead of placing blame, leaders create momentum and set the tone for meaningful change. This is a practical step toward creating a culture of accountability.
About Daniel Tocchini
Dan Tocchini has been helping leaders bring some more magic onto their teams for over 35 years. He has worked with executive teams from Interstate Batteries and ESPN to Smarty Pants Vitamins and Impulse Space, as well as with non-profits like Homeboy Industries and Defy Ventures. Dan gives a no-fluff approach by helping transform leadership teams without any pixie dust—just courageous leadership, creative conflict resolution, and relevant restructuring. No conversation is too difficult, and no situation is too conflicted because a leader with a vision cannot be held hostage by circumstance or history.
About the Host: Rebecca Swabey, P.Eng.
Rebecca is a professional engineer who transitioned into the role of a tech startup founder. With ten years of experience in the civil consulting industry, specializing in water resources engineering and land development, she co-founded Equator Studios in 2018. The company enhances efficiency and quality for civil firms in the early stages of projects by providing better access to LiDAR and proposal automation tools. Based in Ontario, Canada, Rebecca enjoys hiking along the Grand River, experimenting with pizza recipes, and spending time with her two dogs.
Resources and Links Mentioned in This Session Include:
Take New Ground
The Naked Leadership Podcast
The Revenant Process
Intrepid, the Academy for Effective Leadership
Connect with Daniel Tocchinion LinkedIn
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