Why We Avoid Hard Conversations with Amy Jacobson
From Under the Rug at Work by Nicole Turnbull | Chief Courage Officer | Neon Shed
February 11, 2026 · 40 min
About this episode
Nicole Turnbull and Amy Jacobson discuss the importance of hard conversations in the workplace and how emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in navigating change.
Hard conversations shape culture, safety and performance, yet most of us avoid them until the damage is done. Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull chats with Amy Jacobson about why we avoid hard conversations, what emotional intelligence really looks like at work and how leaders can navigate change without forcing people to “just get on board”. Amy Jacobson is an emotional intelligence specialist who challenges and disrupts mindsets in people to own their shit, take control and be unstoppable. With 19+ years in the corporate world, especially in insurance, Amy brings a practical lens to the internal interactions that make or break teams, particularly during change. She’s also the author of two books and supports organisations with AI implementation and major workplace transitions. In this conversation, Nicole and Amy explore what an emotionally intelligent workplace looks and feels like, why emotional intelligence is a choice not a badge, and how rapid change rewires the mind. They also look at why we avoid hard conversations and what…
People in this episode
Host: Nicole Turnbull
Guest: Amy Jacobson
Topics covered
- hard conversations
- emotional intelligence
- leadership
- workplace culture
- change management
Keywords
- hard conversations
- emotional intelligence
- leadership
- workplace culture
- change management
- corporate interactions
- AI implementation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Neon Shed, AI
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