The Business Bookmark: Leadership & Business Growth Tips for Entrepreneurs, Solopreneurs & Leaders
Want to lead with confidence, scale your business, and drive impact—without reading dozens of leadership books?
The Business Bookmark is your shortcut to business and leadership mastery. Join hosts Howard Montagu and Harjit Chana as they break down powerful insights from the world’s top business and leadership books—then show you exactly how to apply them.
This isn’t just another summary podcast. We bring each book to life with real-world experiences, data-driven strategies, and actionable advice you can use immediately—whether you’re a CEO, startup founder, corporate manager, solopreneur, or aspiring leader.
🎯 Learn how to:
- Motivate and manage high-performing teams
- Make better strategic decisions
- Build a culture of accountability and innovation
- Lead in complex, fast-changing environments
Turn your commute, coffee break, or workout into a business masterclass.
Subscribe now and join thousands of business leaders growing with every episode.
The Business Bookmark: Leadership & Business Growth Tips for Entrepreneurs, Solopreneurs & Leaders
Mastering Crucial Conversations: The Secret Skill of Great Leaders
What if one conversation could make or break your leadership? In this episode of The Business Bookmark, hosts Howard and Harjit dive into the game-changing book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.
Discover how top leaders turn difficult conversations into powerful moments of clarity, trust, and progress. From creating psychological safety to staying calm under pressure, Howard and Harjit unpack the key skills that help leaders handle high-stakes situations with confidence and control.
Packed with real-life examples, practical takeaways, and a few laughs along the way, this episode will transform how you lead, collaborate, and connect. Whether you’re managing a team or navigating tough talks in life, this is a must-listen.
00:00 Introduction to Crucial Conversations
01:25 The Importance of Effective Conversations
03:42 Statistics on Communication and Productivity
07:34 Defining Crucial Conversations
09:22 Principle 1: Start with Heart
11:57 Principle 2: Create Psychological Safety
16:37 Principle 3: Master Your Stories
19:19 The Importance of Active Listening
20:19 Introducing the STATE Framework
20:53 Breaking Down the STATE Method
22:26 Applying the STATE Method in Conversations
25:28 Encouraging Feedback and Testing
27:14 Moving to Action: Ensuring Clear Decisions
28:54 Personal Leadership Experiences
30:56 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Book
34:08 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
