Straight Talk. What It Is, What It’s Not and Why It Matters

At work. . .

Have you ever been blind-sided because important feedback on your performance was not provided. . . until it was too late?

Have you ever withheld critical information or feedback because you were reluctant to provide an unpopular perspective or “rock the boat”?

Have you ever held back (or seen others hold back) on having a direct and honest conversation about a problem that needs to be resolved together?

What’s your experience with noticing yourself or a boss or colleague taking a “my way or the highway” approach to navigating a high-stakes problem-solving conversation?

Each of these questions highlights an example of what happens at work when people are not competent, confident, and skillful with engaging in Straight Talk.

From the work of Organization Development consultant, Kaleel Jamison, “Straight Talk is the practice of speaking clearly, directly, and honestly. This is done without rudeness or humiliation.”Goals for the workshop. . .

• Learn about using Straight Talk at work
  • What it is, what it’s not and why it matters

• Examine the relationship between Straight Talk and current research on great leadership and what employees want in 2026

• Discuss actionable skills you can develop and use that support the concepts of Straight Talk
  
• Strengthen your ability to communicate clearly, kindly, and respectfully with others in even the most challenging of conversations

Group discussion time will focus on . . .

• Group discussion time will focus on . . .
  
• developing your own skills and the mindset of engaging in Straight Talk
  
• what it would take to influence others in your organization to join you in building a stronger organization culture of shared accountability

“When you know more, you can do more.”

Marion Barry