June Newsletter: A Hard Conversation, a Few New Tools, and a Quick Update

A few weeks ago, I found myself preparing for a hard conversation — not with a client, but with my surgeon.

I had questions. I had concerns. And I didn’t want to be brushed off.

Even though this is the work I help others do every day, I still had to slow down and think it through. What’s actually at stake here? What do I need from this conversation to feel good about my next step?

That moment reminded me why I created The Mutual Method: A Playbook for Navigating Important Conversations. Not everyone needs a full engagement, but many people need a tool to help them move through moments like this with more clarity and confidence, and without needing someone like me in the room.

📘 Just Launched: The Mutual Method Playbook

The Mutual Method is a self-guided playbook that helps people structure and lead important conversations at work. It provides a four-step roadmap for conversations that matter and is especially useful when there’s tension, silence, or misalignment that hasn’t been addressed.

This resource is meant to be used independently. It’s separate from the work I do as a conflict strategist and facilitator, and it’s now available for $19.

Check out the Playbook

🔎 Not Sure If You’re Ready?

I also created a short quiz to help people assess how ready they are to have a difficult or high-stakes conversation. It’s a quick and easy starting point.

👉 Take the quiz

📝 Free Worksheet and More

You can also download one of my most-used tools: Questions to Prepare for an Important Conversation. It’s available for free, along with a few other resources that can help people move forward when they feel stuck.

👉 Get the worksheet and other tools

🎤 Speaking at ChiWAG

Meka, Megan, and Katie

I recently had the opportunity to speak at the ProVisor's Chicago Women's Affinity group (ChiWAG) alongside “Spider” Meka Hemmons and culture leader Megan Fuciarelli. We spoke about the power of Communication, Charisma and Culture in leadership.

I spoke about Communication and shared the first two steps from my playbook:

1. how to prepare and how to frame a hard conversation, and

   
   

2. why those early steps shape the tone and outcome of everything that follows

⚖️ Expanding My Mediation Work

This month I joined the Kane County Eviction Mediation Program, adding to the work I already do as a mediator and trainer with the Center for Conflict Resolution. The context is different, but the goal is the same: helping people move forward through clear, supported conversation.

🧭 For Your Clients and Conversations

I’ve been getting more referrals lately from folks who know I work in the conflict zone. Common situations include:

• Founders or partners who are no longer aligned

• Executive teams where communication is breaking down

• Individuals avoiding a conversation that needs to happen

If you’re in a conversation where someone is stuck and unsure how to move forward, here’s something to keep on hand:

👉 View Mutual Ground Strategies One-Sheet

It’s written for trusted advisors like you and includes a short overview of how I help and how to introduce me. Feel free to pass it along if someone comes to mind.

Thanks for reading and for the work you do. I’m always around if you want to connect, trade ideas, or troubleshoot a stuck situation.