MPR News with Angela Davis

Talking Sense: How to have contentious workplace conversations

Woman looking across a conference table at two other women in suits
We can all develop skills to help improve how we approach difficult converations at work.
Tim Gouw | Unsplash

With four months to go before the November election, talking about differences in opinions about politics at work can create conflicts. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two guests who say differences about contentious issues at work can affect team cohesion, innovation and collaboration.

Are you a middle manager who avoids tense topics because you don’t want to stir up trouble? Or do you need tips on how to have difficult conversations about challenging topics at work? Listen to the conversation.

Guests:

  • George Vergolias is a workplace resilience consultant and chief clinical officer at R3 Continuum, a Minnesota-based company that develops behavioral health solutions for organizations that need help managing workplace disruption and stress. 

  • Elisha Engelen, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and clinical consultant at Aon, a business consulting firm based in Chicago and London. 

Two women sitting in a broadcast studio
MPR News host Angela Davis (left) talks with Elisha Engelen (right), licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and clinical consultant at Aon, in an MPR News studio in St. Paul on Thursday.
Nikhil Kumaran | MPR News

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.