Episode 8: Part 1 of 3 Courageous Conversations to Build Resilient Teams

Resilient Workplace Podcast — Episode 8 Title: The Power COMMUNICATION-building resilient teams Air Date: May 7, 2025 Series: Courageous Conversations (Part 1 of 3)

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Summarize techniques for having difficult conversations in the workplace and explore the hidden mental health and HR costs of poor communication.

Series Title: Courageous Conversations Hosts: Kellie Tinnin & Joy Davis Series Theme: Empowering leaders and teams to transform how they talk, listen, and lead — using neuroscience, HR strategy, and emotional intelligence.

Talk About It: Why Communication is the Foundation of a Human-Centered Workplace

Core Theme: Communication is more than words — it's culture in action. In this kickoff episode, Joy and Kellie explore why so many workplace issues stem from unspoken expectations, assumptions, and fear of conflict.

🔹 Key Topics:

• The hidden costs of poor communication: turnover, burnout, disengagement
• How miscommunication fuels trauma responses and mistrust
• From policies to people: what “human-centered communication” looks like
• Psychological safety and the nervous system in dialogue
• HR’s dual role: protector of policy and people
• Mental health check-in: When silence means “I don’t feel safe to speak up”

🔹Real-life scenario: A manager avoids giving feedback → results in performance and trust breakdown and stress responses.

A Joy Note: Silence in the workplace is not productive however in therapy it is a very valuable tool.

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Listener Prompt:

“What conversation have you been avoiding at work?”

"Where do you get stuck when preparing for a tough conversation?"