5: Interview by Chris Wong with Special Guest Tiffany Teng

Episode Overview:

Have you ever found yourself avoiding tough conversations, whether at work or in personal relationships? Do you want to know how cultural and familial backgrounds shape the way we handle conflicts? How can that play out in your life and what it takes to transform from a conflict-avoider to a confident communicator in difficult situations?

 Join us for another episode of The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations, this time listen to a conversation between Chris Wong and our special guest, Tiffany Teng to learn answers to these questions and. more! 

Tiffany Teng, is a FinTech executive with a rich background that intersects personal growth, cultural influences, and professional development. Listen as Tiffany shares her insightful journey from navigating familial and cultural communication barriers to mastering the art of difficult conversations.

Key Highlights:

1. Tiffany's Roots and Career Evolution:

   • Background as a child of Asian immigrants and growing up in an Asian church alongside Chris.
   • The transition from studying neuroscience and psychology at Stanford to a business career focusing on consumer decision-making.

2. Overcoming Cultural Communication Barriers:

   • Discussing the challenges faced due to her family and cultural background in handling difficult conversations.
   • The impact of suppressed emotions and conflict avoidance in her personal and professional life.

3. Professional Challenges and Growth:

   • Tiffany's early career experiences, including co-founding a startup and managing workplace conflicts.
   • The journey of acquiring conflict mediation certification and leadership training for effective conversation and feedback.

4. Personal Development Through Therapy:

   • A decade of therapy aiding in personal growth and changing communication styles.
   • Shift from a fixed to a growth mindset and its significance in personal relationships and professional interactions.

5. Strategies for Difficult Conversations:

   • Emphasis on using "I" statements instead of "you" statements to avoid defensiveness.
   • The role of meditation and mindfulness in managing stress and emotions during conflicts.
   • Adapting communication styles in different cultural contexts, including family and workplace.

6. Sensitive Topics and Family Dynamics:

   • Insights into handling conversations about race, politics, and racial justice.
   • Tiffany's experiences with changing family communication patterns post-therapy.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of understanding and adapting to cultural and familial influences in communication.
• The transformation from conflict avoidance to effective conflict resolution.
• The role of self-awareness, therapy, and continuous learning in mastering difficult conversations.

Up Next:

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll dive into "How to Respond to Angry Behaviors in Hard Conversations."

Follow us on social media:

Connect with Chris Wong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc/
Connect with Tiffany Teng: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyjaneteng 

Connect with Lucie Tesarova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova/