Can We Talk?

Book summary

Roberta Chinsky Matuson is a consultant, executive coach, and keynote speaker with over 25 years of experience. She’s worked with CEOs and C-Suites at Fortune 500 companies like LinkedIn and Microsoft and specializes in talent acquisition and retention.

As you advance professionally, your salary, title, and prestige may grow, but credibility—a cornerstone of success—must be actively earned. Building credibility requires expertise, preparation, consistency, and accountability, as actions foster trust in communication. Effective workplace discussions hinge on mutual respect, compromise, and clear intentions, even when disagreements arise. Curiosity, akin to a child’s inquisitiveness, can uncover deeper understanding, while maintaining focus ensures productivity. Confidence is vital for initiating tough conversations, as seen in examples where self-doubt hindered progress or trust enabled positive outcomes. Confidence, like courage, is a skill that grows with practice, starting with smaller challenges. Compassion, another key principle, strengthens relationships by fostering empathy and understanding, transforming conflicts into opportunities for resolution. Clarity is equally essential; defining objectives, sticking to facts, and steering discussions toward actionable outcomes can lead to constructive results. Together, these principles—credibility, confidence, compassion, courage, and clarity—form the foundation for navigating difficult workplace conversations effectively.

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