Difficult Happens; Effective Communication For Bosses

Every workplace has the potential to become toxic. When you get different personalities together and stressful situations crop up, dysfunctional coping mechanisms kick in. With a strong leader, these situations can be successfully navigated and addressed. When the boss is the Toxic component in your workplaces it leads to a sort of dysfunctional trickle down that impacts the way the employees interact with one another. In this episode, we dive into these toxic traits and what to do about it. Knowledge is power.  What you’ll hear on today’s episode: Why high-stress fields are uniquely susceptible Why high-stress fields are impacted by dysfunctional communication What are the four types of toxic bosses When these traits are functional and when they are not How emotional manipulation plays out Micromanaging The Martyr Everybody’s best friend The Avoider Conflict Personality Types Active and passive displays of toxicity How to navigate toxic bosses Why naming it is the first step Join the Difficult Happens Fac

Did you know that there are two types of disappointment?   The kind that is your responsibility and that you need to reckon with and make amends for and the kind that does not belong to you and sprouts from others’ expectations of you. Nobody likes that sinking feeling you get in your gut when you have disappointed someone, yet it is a feeling we have all had.  So what do you do when someone is disappointed in you? Tune in and find out. What you’ll hear on today’s episode: The disappointment you are responsible for When someone’s disappointment is all about them How expectations impact disappointment How to determine your responsibility What to do with all the feels Emotions and manipulation Your body’s reaction   www.difficulthappens.com  Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group”   Work with Lara: Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Question? Comment? Email Lara@difficulthappens.com Corporate Training Difficult Happens by Lara Currie Difficu

The most well established, predictable, staunch systems are being re-imagined. Many companies and leaders are looking to make substantive changes. How do you make real changes in such turbulent times? My guest, Puja Madan, helps leaders develop resilience and a mindset shift where real change can happen. Puja and I dive into some pretty tough topics about real change, and fake change like tokenism (but no real procedures or benefits) and virtue signaling (that is symbolic and not substantive). Real change, real growth can happen, and here’s how What you’ll hear on today’s episode: What is mindfulness What does it mean to be a mindfulness leader Why it is the top 3 people that can make a difference Can you be a great leader in a toxic work environment What is tokenism & what does it have to do with a toxic policy What is virtue signaling and what does it have to do with manipulation How can we be mindful When unintentional inclusion impacts you   Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Hap

Have you ever been talking with someone and there is a lot being said, but not much understanding? Last  week in the Difficult Happens Podcast private FB group, “Community Happens”  (if you haven't already, please join us), Rachel mentioned someone who got really wordy in conversations and uses “fact  slamming”. Right away I knew what she meant, but not everyone can see it when it is happening around them, or to them. On Today’s episode we talk about obfuscation in communication, particularly by using theRed-Herring fallacy. I’ve got some examples of how this plays out in everyday conversations and what you can do to combat it. What you’ll hear on today’s episode: What is a fallacy What is Obfuscation and why is it a manipulation Examples of the fallacy being used in different situations Why it is so hard to see it when it is right in front of you Social media posts are a hotbed of the red herring fallacy What is the red-herring fallacy Why is it so dangerous How it stops discourse & true communication i

“I felt so much that I started to feel nothing” -- Lara When we learn, we grow. In my lifetime, there have been many…. let’s say ‘opportunities for growth.’ Today is another one of those opportunities.  Our bodies keep the score of every emotion, every feeling that we have. Stress can physically make you sick, trust me, as someone of white-Irish heritage any stress I feel, whether conscious or not, set’s off my skin. Rosacea, psoriasis, hives. I’ve got ‘em all. You know what happens when you ignore the warning signs and when the stress becomes too much? Your body switches tactics and get’s louder. Not in the way you might think, louder in the sense that it starts to shut you down.  Feel a lack of energy? A little scatter-brained? Is your mind wandering off? Does a commercial make you cry? Are you jumpy? Today, I am taking my own advice and walking through the hard stuff. Join the conversation - Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group” Work with Lara: Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Fre

“When we know better, we do better.” -- Maya Angelou Summary: Anger is a powerful emotion, anger is the great protector. Anger can also be a mask for an emotion that you have but do not want to acknowledge. By now we have all seen or heard about the Central Park woman Amy Cooper who was asked to leash her dog and proceeded to call the police and claim she was being threatened by a black man. She claimed to have been afraid, only she knows what she was feeling. I would guess she was actually feeling embarrassed and or ashamed. Not easy emotions to feel, so instead, anger stepped in as she approached the man and tried to grab his phone, as she reefed on her dog’s collar, as she made that  911 call. Today, I talk with you about the feels, emotions, their purpose and their gifts. I share with you  three simple things that you can do when you suspect the emotion you are feeling may be a mask   What you’ll hear on today’s episode: The real meaning of anger The real meaning of shame What gifts these emotions have W

“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” -- Ford Summary: Have you ever had to have a difficult conversation with yourself? Change happens with us, or without and sometimes that change brings up the hard stuff. Julie Fry joined me for a “Coffee & Conversation” series that I do on my YouTube Channel to talk about deciding to sell her business, depression, Peri-menopause, and so much more. What you’ll hear on today’s episode: Why a change was needed When it’s not fun anymore When you need outside help for depression How turning 50 hits Perimenopause Trying new things Sitting in uncertainty How depression shows up in different ways Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group” Work with Lara: Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Question? Comment? Email Lara@difficulthappens.com Corporate Training Difficult Happens by Lara Currie                                                                     Difficulthappen

"Listen to hear, not to respond.” Lara Summary: The simple act of listening can diffuse a tense situation. We’ve all experienced a conversation where the other person is just waiting to respond, not really listening. When it comes to conflict, it is almost always the case that the people involved are waiting to talk, to explain, to convince, to persuade, to justify, not to really listen and hear or understand. Empathetic listening is a gift. In today’s episode, I go through how to listen so that you can really hear what the other person is saying and experiencing. Open heart and nonjudgmental empathy Remember your body Eye contact - Listen for feelings as well as their perceived facts, try to picture what they are saying Dont try to solve it, even in your mind It’s okay to ask questions, to clarify, not to judge,  solve or justify. For example, ‘how did that make you feel’ It comes down to your intention, you have to want to listen,   Listen to hear, not to respond. Leave room for silence   You can say someth

We’ve come a long way baby… and there is farther to go. When it comes to gender equality, the pace of change is slow. If you are a woman in a male-dominated field, the pace of change can feel glacial, and at times, as if it will never come.  Anger has been the moral property of males when women are angry it is a warning of indignity, threat, insult, or harm.  Expressing this anger may get you dismissed or labeled as “hysterical”.  So what does a strong woman in a male-dominated field need in order to thrive? Tune into today’s episode and find out! "Empowered women, empower women.” What you’ll hear on today’s episode: Entitlement and action Subtle (and not so subtle) gender bias Stereotype driven expectations Self-doubt Expressing anger Peer support Mentorship Paying it forward Personal and Professional development Women in Leadership Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group” Work with Lara: Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Question? Comment?

Divorce, changing jobs, shifting friendships, or even say a nasty virus. Hard times and change are inevitable, so how do you make it through and build resilience? When you are no stranger to dysfunction, trauma, manipulation tactics, and change, times of crises can seem almost calming. Lara Currie & Ameé Quiriconi talk about how good change can come from challenging times. The COVID pandemic has laid bare the shortcomings and the strengths of our leadership, people's emotions are raw and with that, fear will fill the vacuum. Building resilience and creating sweeping change takes time, like turning a cruise ship in open waters, it can seem, at times, like nothing at all is changing when in fact you (we, us) are headed in a whole different direction. From divorce to self-esteem, from nurses on the front line to historians from an earlier generation, we dive into it all. Join us for Coffee & Conversation aired live (to tape) on YouTube

Summary:   Sometimes avoiding a tough conversation is the way to go, the ones that involve issues that work themselves out with time. Most conversations don’t. They need to be addressed, confronted, or even involve a “carefrontation”.   How do you do this? How do you have a tough conversation that you have avoided or just plain don’t want to have?   It can feel a bit daunting, and always has a physical component (racing heart anyone?) Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this tip.   In today’s episode, what one thing you should do to make it through a tough conversation.     What you’ll hear on today’s episode: When you live from the outside in Why it’s important to live from the inside out The importance of having only one intention The importance of communication Stress is inevitable - do this Your body will react Honesty and openness How thinking about something is different than speaking it There will be an emotional and social component Take your power back   Watch the Bonus episode and Subscribe fo

Summary:   Leadership is evolving and that’s a good thing.   Fluid and ever-changing aren’t just buzzwords, they are the new norm which means that the way leaders of every type lead also needs to change and grow to meet the new and uncertain challenges they will face.   There are some inspiring examples of great leadership styles emerging from unexpected places, and we can learn from their example and adopt some of these skills.   In today’s episode, we dive into what leadership should look like now.     What you’ll hear on today’s episode: Patriarchal vs matriarchal leadership The impact of low self-esteem on leadership The impact of Vulnerability The importance of communication Stress is inevitable - do this Radical candor Honesty and openness Why peoples BS meter is up There will be an emotional and social component   Watch the Bonus episode and Subscribe for video tips YouTube Work with Lara:   Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Question? Comment? Email Lara@difficult

If you were to graph out what communication is, it would look like a vast interconnected web that goes on forever. There are so many variables that impact the way we communicate and the way that we perceive others' meanings.

"The secret of good crisis management is not good vs. bad, it’s preventing the bad from getting worse.”  Andy Gilman How do you prepare for days that you hope will never come?  Uncertainty is an inevitability, and these are uncertain times. Preparing your business and your employees to adapt during a crisis is necessary, and it doesn’t have to be difficult.  So how do you take a bad situation and stop it from getting worse?  Mark Hoffman a crisis communication and business continuity expert joins me to talk about preparing for, navigating through, and assessing business responses to a crisis. From a devastating cyber attack to a worldwide pandemic identifying key players and solidifying a response agenda will help prepare you. It’s not too late to work on a crisis communication plan for your business, you can create your plan from where you are at right now.  What you’ll hear on today’s episode: How do you prepare  for the unknown Identifying key players What is a response agenda The importance of communicat

Manipulative people have an arsenal of tactics they will use against you. Blame-Shifting is one of the big ones. When it is used by a boss or co-worker, it can create a toxic environment quickly, one that, if the manipulator isn’t stopped, will only get worse. In order to combat the blame-shifters tactic, we will shine the light on the many forms of shifting blame (some, may surprise you) and what you can do about it when they try these tactics on YOU.  What you’ll hear on today’s episode: What is Blame-Shifting The Manipulative tactics in action How a victim might be shifting the blame on you Why minimizing you is on the menu How quickly a toxic workplace can be created What you should never do What you should do when blame is shifted onto you Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group”   Work with Lara: Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Question? Comment? Email Lara@difficulthappens.com Corporate Training Difficult Happens by Lara Currie Dif

Happiness and Joy can be found in the most difficult of situations. In today’s episode, Maja and I dive Into finding the good in a difficult situation, being inspired by one another and defining what we want our future to be.  “I’ve been through a Genocide & a Pandemic and didn’t even get a T-shirt”  Maja Kazazic is back on the show to talk about finding the good, in a bad situation. As a Genocide survivor, a successful businesswoman and an inspirational speaker, she has a unique and uplifting perspective about hard things. What you’ll hear on today’s episode: The power of “WE” Leadership now Change and Uncertainty Vulnerability is the new strength The power of working together How selfishness becomes obvious and unacceptable What’s next Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group”   Work with Lara: Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Question? Comment? Email Lara@difficulthappens.com Corporate Training Difficult Happens by Lara Currie Diffi

It might escape notice, slip right under your radar like a birthday of a distant relative and yet it impacts every one of us from Queen’s to service workers. Stress & anxiety has many faces and often escape notice until a full-blown reaction surfaces. What can you do about it, especially during difficult times? Be on the lookout for these clues. Like a leaky pipe, these are clues, an early warning sign of more pressing emotions that are bubbling right below the surface. It’s not a matter of IF you will experience these things, but WHEN. In this episode, we dive into how to identify the signs and what to do about them.  For yourself and for those around you.  What you’ll hear on today’s episode: Stress & Anxiety go hand in hand like peanut butter & jelly Not if, but when  How to tune into your body Ways to identify stress in others How to break free from circular thinking Lara has some surprises for you! The impact of community   Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Gro

This was the conversation we should all be having. There is a “new leadership” model that is emerging right now. One that is more humanistic, open and vulnerable. These uncertain times, the change we are experiencing, and the resulting anxiety, fear, and grief that is pervasive have sparked a new ‘communication mode’.  That is a good thing.  Molly McPherson of Confident Communications and I dive into how much communication, messaging, and the work that we do has changed in the past few weeks. What has changed and what that means for us, and so much more. As a world we have a lot to grieve over right now, kids who are missing their last year of primary school, grieving the loss of how things were - being  able to see and check up on family & friends, or the loss of a loved one. Along with that being selfish (say as in hoarding supplies) became universally abhorrent overnight. What you’ll hear on today’s episode: Accountability is the new black Honest and open vulnerability inspires trust  How fear shows

It is a super strange time that we are in right now. Things are changing by the hour. One thing is certain, during a Pandemic, there will be some uncertainty. In today’s episode, I dive into how people react, why they react a certain way and what you can do to connect, communicate and understand one another without risk of starting a conflict. Stress, anxiety, and fear look different in different people. From a Laissez-faire attitude to shut down, from overly-informed to the conspiracy theorist, reactions that seem opposite to one another all have their root in uncertainty. What you’ll hear on today’s episode: Why someone has a laissez-faire attitude What anxiety looks like  How fear shows up in our day to day interactions How your senses are triggered Ways to cope with uncertainty How to inspire confidence Tuning into your  body Your senses and how they can help you Long breaths and calm Your body is the key Do what works for you Work with Lara Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessme

Summary: Oh-No she didn’t! It doesn’t matter who you are; mother Theresa, Oprah Winfrey, my Mom, you get mad.   Not like ‘teenager forbidden to date a boy’ type mad - that’s a singular type of rage, more like a ‘defend your honor, correct a falsehood, shut down a misogynist’ type anger. Which can be a bad look for a professional.   We are whole human beings, and anger is part of life and it has its purpose. Once you are angry, and before you vent that anger onto others, there is a simple and extremely effective method you can use to calm down.   This method is so effective it is used by the military, medical, and mental health fields alike. And now you can use it too.   What you’ll hear on today’s episode: How Anger impacts  you physically Your senses and how they  can help you What is the  5-4-3-2-1 method? Long breaths and calm Shame & anger, two sides of the same coin Your body is the key What works for you Work with Lara   Apply for an On-air Coaching Call! Free Breakthrough Assessment Got a Q