Real Leaders Communicate Differently

Your success as a leader isn’t determined by how well you talk—it’s determined by how well you connect. And nowhere is that more critical than when the stakes are high and emotions are running hot.

Episode Overview:
In this episode of Shedding the Corporate Bitch, I sit down with Dr. Amber Johnson—leadership consultant, high-stakes communication expert, and truth-teller on why most leaders fail in conflict.

We dig into the hidden reasons leaders struggle to get communication right—especially under pressure—and why avoiding tough conversations is costing you trust, performance, and top talent.

Challenges We Tackle:

• Why “being nice” is sabotaging your leadership effectiveness
• How busyness kills connection and erodes team trust
• The gap between leaders’ “open door” intentions and employees’ real experiences
• Why avoidance turns small problems into reputation-damaging crises

What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between kindness and niceness—and why it matters for results
• How to lead without having all the answers by mastering the art of powerful questions
• Simple techniques to keep conversations future-focused and defuse defensiveness
• How to recognize when your “open door” is actually closed
• Strategies to address issues early—before they turn into patterns or cultural problems

Key Takeaways:

• Kindness is truth delivered with care; niceness is a performance that avoids discomfort.
• The conversation IS the relationship—avoid it and the relationship weakens.
• If no one has given you hard feedback lately, your team doesn’t feel safe enough to tell you the truth.

Your Next Step:
Don’t let communication blind spots limit your leadership impact.
🎧 Listen now and discover the tools to lead with clarity, connection, and confidence—even when conflict knocks at your door.

👉 Download the episode here: balloffirecoaching.com/podcast
📌 Follow me on LinkedIn: Bernadette Boas
📌 Take the Powerhouse Communication Assessment: balloffirecoaching.com/opt-in

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Tough Conversations
00:21 Welcome to Shedding the Corporate Bitch
00:56 Meet Dr. Amber Johnson
01:16 Challenges in Leadership Communication
02:57 Amber's Background and Personal Insights
04:22 Strategies for Effective Communication
10:42 The Power of Asking Questions
15:56 Creating a Safe and Open Environment
20:11 Handling Difficult Bosses
29:39 Avoidance in Leadership
31:39 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
33:57 Closing Remarks and Resources

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