Navigators know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In charting a course through communication, Susan Rice says the best route is often the most direct.

Throughout her career at the forefront of American diplomacy and foreign policy, Rice has been no stranger to high-stakes situations that hinge on clear and candid communication. As she says, “I'm very direct. I don't believe in playing games, going around people, and being passive-aggressive. I shoot straight.” 

Rice graduated from Stanford University in 1986 and served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013 and the National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2017. She is currently the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Visiting Fellow. Rice is the author of Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For.

But beyond being direct herself, Rice knows the value of allowing others to be direct with her. “If you give it, you got to be able to take it,” she says. “I've benefited at various stages of my career from colleagues who've been kind enough to give me the hard truths or the tough love to enable me to be better and help me to recognize where I'm falling short.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Rice and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to foster personal and professional relationships where candidness can thrive — even when communicating with those we don’t agree with.

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Freeman Spogli Institute Profile: Susan E. Rice
• Susan’s Book: Tough Love
• Ep.35 Leading from the Hot Seat: How to Communicate Under Pressure Website / YouTube

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Matt Abrahams introduces guest Dr. Susan Rice, former White House official and representative to the United Nations.

(00:00:56) Leadership Principles

Susan discusses vision, direction, and the importance of people in leadership.

(00:03:10) Giving and Receiving Feedback

Importance of direct communication and the value of constructive feedback.

(00:05:01) Negotiation Insights

Strategies for understanding and leveraging positions in negotiations

(00:06:50) Enjoyment of Negotiation

The skills and satisfaction involved in successful negotiations.

(00:07:59) Standing Out

Advice for those who find themselves different from others in their professional environments.

(00:10:33) The Final Three Questions

Susan shares how she balances family political differences, communicators she admires, and ingredients for successful communication.

(00:16:17) Conclusion