Why Leaders Avoid Hard Conversations

Kirk Teachout and Zach Shelley take on toxic positivity in leadership and why “staying positive” can sometimes do more harm than good. They discuss how avoiding hard conversations and tolerating underperformance erodes trust, accountability, and team respect. Through real experiences and practical insights, Kirk and Zach explain why honest dialogue and addressing root issues—not surface-level optimism—are essential to building a healthy, high-performing team.