Candid Conversations: Vivien Mangalindan
Candid Conversations

Impactful Leaders Talk, Not Just Tell

Apr 4, 2025, 2:43 PM
Vivien Mangalindan

Vivien Mangalindan

Columnist

Blah, blah, blah - no real connection. Sound familiar? Leadership isn’t about endless monologues and presentations. It’s about creating an engaging vibe that actually makes things happen.

TALK WITH (NOT AT) PEOPLE

Nobody likes being talked to:

  • Ask
  • Listen
  • Care

They genuinely value what their team has to say.

Scenario:

Sarah is a manager who gives orders without asking for feedback.

  • Before: "This is how we’re doing it. Got it?"
  • After: "What do you think? Any ideas to make this better?"

Aha Moment:

Asking creates real connections - and keeps everyone involved.


KNOW YOUR PEOPLE

Your team isn’t a bunch of robots. If you don’t talk with them - how will you know:

  • What motivates them
  • What challenges them
  • What helps them grow

Scenario:

Jake doesn’t understand what energizes his sales team.

  • Before: "Just get it done."
  • After: "What drives you? What challenges are you facing?"

Aha Moment:

Getting to know your team leads to better results and stronger team spirit.


TRUST COMES FROM TALKING

Want a strong, loyal team? Open, honest talks build trust for better teamwork.

Scenario:

Maria makes decisions without explaining them to her team.

  • Before: "This is what we’re doing. No questions."
  • After: "Here’s why we’re doing this. What do you think?"

Aha Moment:


Sharing builds trust and loyalty.


COLLABORATION STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION

A leader who doesn’t talk to their team is like a coach with no game plan.

  • Leaders who keep the conversation going create teams that work together and come up with ideas.

Scenario:

Tim works solo and rarely engages his team.

  • Before: "I’ll handle this. Let me know if you need anything."
  • After: "Let’s work together on this. What’s your take on it?"

Aha Moment:

More conversations lead to better teamwork and creative ideas.


HANDLE CONFLICT WITHOUT THE DRAMA

Disagreements happen - but leaders who talk things out turn conflict into growth instead of chaos.

Scenario:


Emily avoids addressing conflicts between team members.

  • Before: "Just let it go, we don’t need to talk about it."
  • After: "Let’s talk through this and find a solution."

Aha Moment:


Handling conflicts early keeps things smooth - and helps the team vibe better.


INSPIRE WITH EVERY CHAT

People don’t follow titles - they follow those who make them feel valued.

  • A bit of encouragement, honest feedback, and a “good job” can make a big difference.

Scenario:

Kevin only gives feedback when things go wrong.

  • Before: "That’s wrong. Fix it."
  • After: "Nice work on that! Let’s see how we can make it even better."

Aha Moment:


Positive, supportive talks lift energy and drive the team forward.

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Great leaders don’t have all the answers - they ask better questions. If you’re not talking with your team - you’re leading in name only.

Start having real conversations.

  • Engage
  • Connect
  • Inspire

Remember: Lead by talking WITH people - not AT them.

vivienshowandtell@gmail.com

YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/@ShowAndTellWithMissV

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