How to Handle Pushback and Difficult Conversations at Work Without Getting Defensive
Fri Feb 06 2026
Find out the real reason difficult conversations feel so hard at work, and how our mindset hurts our conversations and relationships. This episode gives you four internal switches you can flip in real time, so that you can have calm authority to fix conversations that go sideways.
You'll discover what confident communicators do differently in difficult conversations. Because you don't need to say the perfect thing. You just need to stay stable enough to say something useful in that moment so that you can keep your influence.
You'll learn how to:
Stop taking pushback personally and stay detached under pressure
Regulate your emotions so you don't interrupt, over-explain, or get defensive
Bring clarity to conversations that feel messy or overwhelming
Keep progress happening when discussions get tense, repetitive, or uncomfortable
If you want to:
Handle difficult conversations at work with confidence
Respond to pushback without shutting down or getting reactive
Increase your influence with managers, peers, or senior leaders
Speak up clearly, even when situations aren't perfect
…this episode will give you a practical internal system you can use immediately.
🎧 Listen now and learn how calm, clear communication moves decisions forward.
🎁 Free Resource:
Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.
Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.
Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.
Be heard without apology.
👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power
✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/
✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader
✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915
✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2
✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:
https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/
✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/
✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops
Contact me: info@assertiveway.com or ivnacuri@assertiveway.com
Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2
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Find out the real reason difficult conversations feel so hard at work, and how our mindset hurts our conversations and relationships. This episode gives you four internal switches you can flip in real time, so that you can have calm authority to fix conversations that go sideways. You'll discover what confident communicators do differently in difficult conversations. Because you don't need to say the perfect thing. You just need to stay stable enough to say something useful in that moment so that you can keep your influence. You'll learn how to: Stop taking pushback personally and stay detached under pressure Regulate your emotions so you don't interrupt, over-explain, or get defensive Bring clarity to conversations that feel messy or overwhelming Keep progress happening when discussions get tense, repetitive, or uncomfortable If you want to: Handle difficult conversations at work with confidence Respond to pushback without shutting down or getting reactive Increase your influence with managers, peers, or senior leaders Speak up clearly, even when situations aren't perfect …this episode will give you a practical internal system you can use immediately. 🎧 Listen now and learn how calm, clear communication moves decisions forward. 🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations. Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones. Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority. Be heard without apology. 👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power ✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/ ✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader ✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915 ✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2 ✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/ ✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops Contact me: info@assertiveway.com or ivnacuri@assertiveway.com Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2