Advancing in the 6 CORE Leadership Skills – Skill 1: Having the Tough Conversations
The 4 CORE Leadership Qualities are the building blocks that ground a leader’s mindset and approach. The 6 CORE Leadership Skills are their expression. These skills translate intention into action, making leadership tangible, repeatable, and impactful, especially in times of complexity and change.
The first CORE Leadership Skill we’ll delve into is Having the Tough Conversations. Confidence + Conviction are the two CORE Leadership Qualities that anchor this skill.
Why It Matters
Within the CORE framework, this is where confidence and conviction meet. Confidence gives you the courage to speak directly, while conviction grounds you in the belief that things can and should get better. The skill of having the tough conversations is what turns those qualities into impact: clarity, alignment, and forward traction.
This skill is about caring enough to be honest, naming what you see, sharing what you think, and inviting others to do the same.
How to Strengthen This Skill
Use the 2:1 Approach: For every constructive observation, share two positives or strengths.
Focus on what you see: Share your observations in a neutral, descriptive way. Stick to the facts without judgment.
Use softening statements: Frame your perspective in a way that invites conversation instead of shutting it down.
Describe impact clearly: Focus on behaviour and the result, not the person.
Speak up earlier, especially when you see things differently: Don’t wait until frustration builds. If you see something differently, share it while it’s still fresh.
Invite their view: Always close by genuinely asking, "How do you see it?" or "What are your thoughts?"
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
At its core, leadership today is about having the confidence to speak with courage and the conviction to push for what truly makes things better.
What is one tough conversation you’ve been putting off that you should have this week?
Try being more open to others’ perspectives when having tough conversations and see whether they’re more open to yours as well.
What is one viewpoint you would like to share with a colleague or boss that you haven’t before?
Practice describing behaviours and impacts as a sportscaster would, simply stating what’s happening without judgment.
