The Cost of Control: Healing Communication at Home and in the Boardroom with Tressa Yonekawa

What if the traits that made you successful are the same ones sabotaging your most important relationships?

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, communication coach and culture consultant Tressa Yonekawa unpacks the deeper truths behind high-performing leaders who struggle with connection, both in business and at home. Tressa shares how early childhood dynamics shape our ability to relate, how high-achievers often create chaos without realizing it, and why rapid transformation doesn’t always require a 10-year process. She also reflects on her own journey—from toxic partnerships to conscious communication—and offers simple but profound tools to create real connection, even in the most high-stakes relationships.

Whether you're leading a team, building a brand, or simply trying to relate more authentically, this episode offers a mirror for transformation.

In The Episode:

(01:20) Tressa shares how 30 years in corporate culture shaped her work with high-profile couples and leaders.

(04:31) The common root cause behind high-performer burnout and misaligned communication.

(06:18) How ego and perfectionism show up in business—and why they keep your team from taking ownership.

(11:42) Tressa’s unorthodox approach: why change doesn’t need a process, it needs clarity.

(13:09) The “hallway moment”: a raw story of verbal abuse that sparked a complete life transformation.

(21:04) A breath, a pause, and the power of relational tools—how one miscommunication turned into healing.

(23:16) Rebuilding a broken business partnership—what it takes to come back stronger and more aligned.

(31:00) Kyle reflects Tressa’s story back to her in a signature distillation—see how the narrative transforms when it’s truly seen.

(34:00) Tressa shares her final thoughts on reflection, healing, and the importance of being heard.