Avoidance vs. Courage: How Courageous Leaders Have the Hard Conversations That Change Everything

Send us Fan Mail Avoiding a hard conversation feels like kindness. Most of the time it's just comfort disguised as care.  In this episode, Amy P. Kelly joins me to tackle the tension every leader feels but rarely names: the gap between the conversation you know you need to have and the one you keep rescheduling.  We get into fear, false harmony, preparation, and why the most courageous thing a leader can do is say what someone needs to hear, not what they want to. ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights \[03:20] The Conversation I Kept Rescheduling: Preston shares the hard feedback he kept putting off. \[04:12] Meet Amy P. Kelly: Amy shares her experience in HR and talent development. \[14:19] When Fear Gets in the Way: How fear can keep leaders from having difficult conversations. \[16:24] Prepare Before You Correct: Why preparation and timing matter in difficult conversations. \[19:44] Empathy Changes the Conversation: Why understanding the person comes before correcting the problem. \[21:31] Patience or Avoidance? How to know when patience becomes avoidance. \[25:30] Turn Hard Conversations Into Heart Conversations: How changing your perspective can change the conversation. \[30:16] The Cost of False Harmony: What happens when avoiding the truth keeps people stuck. \[32:27] Courage Can Set Someone Free: How honest conversations can help people find their purpose. \[36:34] Three Lessons on Courage: Truth, discomfort, and investing in the people you lead. ⸻ Links and Resources Mentioned • Discipled Leader Apprenticeship — https://prestonpoore.com/   • Discipled Leader Book — https://prestonpoore.com/books-by-preston/   • How Is Greater Than What Book — https://prestonpoore.com/book/   • About Preston — https://prestonpoore.com/about-preston\_poore/   • Difficult Conversations Don't Have to Be Difficult (Amy P. Kelly & Jon Gordon) — https://www.amypkelly.com/books   • Work Is Personal (Amy P. Kelly) — https://workispersonalbook.com/   Connect With Me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonpoore/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoorePreston   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prestonpoore1/   ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's episode hit home, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Like it, comment, leave a review; it helps more people find the show, and quite honestly, it reminds me I'm not just talking to myself in here. Peace out. Be a rock star. About Preston Poore Preston Poore is a former Coca-Cola executive who practices what he preaches. He uses his wealth of hard-earned experience in the corporate arena to help emerging leaders and millennials reach their potential—all while staying true to his values, purpose, and goals. Preston is a Certified Maxwell Leadership Team Keynote Speaker, Facilitator, Trainer, and Executive Coach. Through his books, How Is Greater Than What, Discipled Leader (2022 Selah Awards Nonfiction Book of the Year) and 21 Days to Sound Decision Making, his blog, and podcast, he seeks to help people become redemptive influences in their workplaces and live more fulfilling lives. Learn more about Preston Poore & Associates: https://prestonpoore.com Work with Preston or invite him to speak: https://prestonpoore.com/leadership-development-services/ Sign up to receive the P³ Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/prestonpoore.com/thepulse LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonpoore/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/prestonpoore1/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PoorePreston