In agriculture, leadership often shows up in moments that feel uncomfortable or emotional. Have you ever faced conflicting family dynamics, tough team decisions, challenging performance feedback or boardroom disagreements?  

Learning how to navigate crucial conversations is a leadership superpower. 

Tough dialogue reveals who you are under pressure. They shape trust. They build credibility. And in a people-driven industry like agriculture, where legacy, relationships, and communication shape innovation, your ability to navigate tough talks is just as valuable as any technical skill. 

Great leaders don’t wait for these moments. They prepare for them. And these five steps will help you do the same. 

1. Know Your “Why”  

Clarity is confidence. Ashley emphasized that the first step in any high-stakes dialogue is knowing what outcome you’re hoping to create. 
“What is the intent of the conversation is just as important as what is the content.”  

Before you start talking, ask yourself: 

• What needs to change? 

• What is the real issue? 

• What does success look like for both of us? 

When you’re grounded in purpose, you’re less reactive, more focused and far more effective. 

2. Create Psychological Safety  

You can have the right message and lose it’s power in the wrong environment. 

Ashley shared that one of the biggest mistakes leaders make is underestimating the power of timing and setting. 

“Picking the right time and place matters. It’s not at ten minutes ‘til five on a Friday.”  

Safety is created through: 

• Neutral environments: consider a walk, a coffee shop or a quiet workspace 

• Clear intent: practice “I want us to work through this together.” 

• A calm tone: even when emotions are high 

Psychological safety isn’t soft. It’s strategic. If someone doesn’t feel safe, they can’t hear you. 

3. Ask the Questions That Move Conversations Forward 

Leaders often feel pressure to have the right answers. But crucial conversations are moved by the right questions. 

Ashley shared two game-changing tools you can use in almost any tough moment: 

“Can you help me understand…?”  

This question disarms defensiveness and opens genuine dialogue. 

“What are you hearing me say?”  

This prevents miscommunication and gives you a chance to redirect if your message missed the mark. 

4. Prepare for Feedback You Weren’t Expecting 

Sometimes you start a conversation. Other times, the conversation is unexpected. 

“Sometimes we find ourselves in high-stakes conversations and we don't really have the time to think, ‘Is this a high-stakes conversation?’”  

If you get surprised by feedback: 

• Pause. 

• Take a breath. 

• Ask clarifying questions. 

• Request time to reflect if needed. 

• Avoid the “lizard brain” reaction that leads to defensiveness. 

“Sometimes there’s power in silence.” Silence buys you thinking space and emotional control. 

5. Practice — Even When It’s Awkward 

Crucial conversations aren’t mastered in theory. They’re built through reps.

“This is something I don’t truly feel like anyone ever reaches mastery level. It’s lifelong practice.”  

 Try these reps: 

• Initiating tough talks in group projects 

• Asking for feedback during internships 

• Sharing honest expectations with roommates, teammates or coworkers 

• Checking your body language 

• Owning moments where you reacted poorly 

Every tough conversation builds your emotional intelligence and soft skills.  

Why This Matters Especially in Agriculture 

Agriculture is built on people and people lead with emotions. A brighter, more dynamic future of agriculture depends on stronger communication, challenging thought and bridging perspectives.  

When you can communicate well in moments that matter, you build a more intentional, more empathetic future for agriculture. 

It all starts in the conversations you choose to have, the courage you build through them and the discipline you develop to handle them. 

Crucial conversations are your superpower. Use them well. 

More on Empowering Tough Conversations 

In the latest episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Ashley challenges listeners to rethink how they show up in tension, grow their communication skillset and lead people forward even when the conversation gets uncomfortable. With experience leading growers, navigating board dynamics and shaping conversations across agriculture, Ashley brings a grounded and practical perspective to those conversations we often avoid.