Last week, in Part 1 of my conversation with T. Falcon Napier, founder of the Institute for Productive Tension, which is really a mini masterclass in Productive Tension Management, we explored why change so often creates resistance — andwhy tension itself is not necessarily the problem.

We ended with a powerful idea: apathy is the unavoidable side effect of mastery — and can leave people trapped in what T calls a “velvet prison.”

Today, we continue from there and explore what this means in practice for hiring, developing people, resistance to change, and ultimately, leadership itself.

If you would like to receive the Quick Reference Guide for the Response States, please email me at dsimic@maxr.nl with “ref” in the subject.

Let’s continue the conversation.

In this, the first part of my conversation with T. Falcon Napier, founder of the Institute for Productive Tension, which is really a mini masterclass in Productive Tension Management, we explore why change so often creates resistance — and why tension itself is not necessarily the problem.

We discuss the difference between productive tension and destructive stress, why too little tension can be just as damaging as too much, and what leaders need to understand about the way people respond to change.

A different take on change and tension: a thought-provoking conversation about change, leadership, engagement and the role tension plays in helping people move forward.

If you would like to receive the Quick Reference Guide for the Response States, just email me at dsimic@maxr.nl with “ref” in the subject line.

Part 2 continues next week.

Most leaders are trained to manage performance, deadlines and conflict—but not grief.

What do you say when an employee loses someone they love? How do you show support without saying the wrong thing, making assumptions or trying to “fix” what cannot be fixed?

In this episode of The Leader’s Conscious Communication Podcast, I explore how leaders can respond to grief with empathy, presence and humanity—and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can offer is simply to be there.