VOTE FOR ME FOR SXSW
| Hard conversations matter! A few weeks ago I submitted a proposal to speak at SXSW 2026. The topic: How to have hard conversations about polarizing topics. It is the most impactful speaking I am doing these days. So close to my heart and so needed in the world right now. Giving people concrete, action based tools to navigate conflict is what my entire career has been about. Starting with families and then branching into organizations. Truth is – the tools are the same, the details vary. Now it feels like not only are these skills needed in every corner of people’s lives – at home, at work, and walking in the world. |
| Your vote matters!! For SXSW, one of the ways they determine who ends up on stage is by open voting. Yes, all the proposals are added to a database and the public gets to vote. Every vote matters! Will you vote for me? Yes! Thanks! It’s easy… Click on this link Click the heart for my session You may need to sign in or create a profile – that part is also free and easy. The exciting part – you can vote every day! The more votes I get, the more likely it is I will be part of this impactful experience. Voting ends on August 24th…that’s 17 votes you could cast!!! VOTE NOW! |
| Golden Nuggets of the Week: 1. Your vote matters – so vote for my session here 2. Save this email and vote for me again tomorrow! 3. Read the rest of this email to get the highlights of how to have hard conversations 🙂 |
| One step at a time You know I would not ask for your vote without sharing more about what I am speaking about 🙂 I want us all to learn together! You can read the description and goals of my session on the voting page. Here are a few takeaways that I did not include there: Curiosity is the biggest tool you can use when having a hard conversation. Rather than defending or fighting about a difference of opinion, can you get curious about how the other person came to their perspective? Consider the relationship you have with this person. Decide what amount of energy you want to put into the situation. I will spend more energy in a hard conversation with my parents (whom I am close with), then a stranger in a coffee shop because the relationship matters more to me. Sometimes we are misplacing where we put in our effort. Keep Calm and Carry On. Yes, it is a cheesy phrase that makes a great meme. It is also the best practice when it comes to hard conversations. Can you stay calm and continue the discussion? If not, then you need to stop talking. The more heated either of you get, the less listening you are doing and the more likely you are to say hurtful and harmful things. Stop the conversation and come back to it later, after taking a few breaths or a few days to reset. There is so much more…these are just a few small steps for you to consider and start working on. They are good, right? So please help me bring them to SXSW by voting today and tomorrow and the next day! VOTE NOW! |
| With so much gratitude! |
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