In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Douglas Squirrel, co-author of *Agile Conversations*, a transformative book that dives deep into the art of having productive conversations in organizations. Douglas Squirrel, a seasoned technology leader and coach, shares his journey from struggling to communicate effectively with non-technical leaders to discovering frameworks that have radically changed how teams collaborate and make decisions. His passion for helping organizations unlock their potential through better conversations is palpable, and the strategies he presents are both practical and actionable.

At the core of the conversation is the idea that many leadership and business challenges stem from poor communication, especially when stakes are high. Douglas introduces the concept of "model two" reasoning, a method of shifting from defensive, closed-off thinking to open, curiosity-driven conversations. Throughout the episode, Squirrel outlines how leaders can build trust, foster collaboration, and make better decisions by focusing on the quality of their interactions, not just the content of their discussions.

Leaders in fast-paced industries, especially those leading technology or innovation-driven teams, will find Squirrel’s insights particularly relevant. His approach to improving communication is likened to practicing a sport—it requires effort and repetition, but the benefits are immense. From navigating difficult conversations to breaking down silos between departments, Douglas illustrates how leaders can transform the culture of their teams by mastering the art of meaningful conversations.

Whether you're a CEO striving to foster better communication within your leadership team or a senior executive looking for ways to enhance cross-functional collaboration, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. Douglas Squirrel's methods have been honed through years of experience in leading technology teams, but his insights apply to anyone seeking to elevate their leadership effectiveness through the power of dialogue. Don’t miss this episode—it could very well change the way you approach conversations in your organization.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Hear how to overcome communication barriers in cross-functional teams by focusing less on technical jargon and more on relationship-building.
• You'll learn why defensive reasoning is holding your team back and how to shift toward curiosity-driven conversations that foster collaboration.
• Discover how the right kind of questioning can unlock hidden insights that may be missing from your leadership discussions.
• Explore why ‘disagree and commit’ can sometimes be dangerous and how true alignment comes from genuine dialogue.
• Hear how to use 'back-briefing' to ensure accountability while giving your teams the freedom to innovate and solve problems their way.
• Find out why learning to have better conversations is like practicing a sport and why it’s essential for long-term leadership success.
• Get practical tips for identifying when a trust conversation is necessary to build stronger, more collaborative teams.
• Uncover the biggest mistake leaders make when trying to include everyone in decision-making and how to avoid it.

Connect with the Douglas Squirrel

Douglas Squirrel Website    

Douglas Squirrel LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website