The Focused View: Empowering Eye Care Professionals
"The Focused View" is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest trends, strategies, and innovations in the eye care industry. Hosted by industry expert Michael Nasser, each episode features in-depth interviews with thought leaders and practitioners who are pushing the boundaries of optometry. With a focus on empowering eye care professionals and elevating the industry, "The Focused View" provides valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field. Tune in for engaging conversations, expert analysis, and a clear vision for the future of eye care.
The Focused View: Empowering Eye Care Professionals
EP31: Elevate Your Practice: Topic 8 - Tough Talks, Stronger Team: How to Lead with Language and Intent
What if the real price of avoiding difficult conversations at work is losing your best team members and holding back your business growth? How much longer can you afford to stay silent?
In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined again by Opticare’s Commercial Manager, Joanne Scott-Dostine, to dive into one of the most avoided yet essential parts of practice management: navigating difficult conversations with intention and clarity. From understanding why people avoid difficult conversations to walking through how to approach them with emotional intelligence and strategy, Joanne shares a useful and effective approach for practice owners and team leaders.
Joanne also shares transformative concepts like the Emotional Bank Account and “putting on your business hat,” offering leaders tools they can implement immediately. Whether you manage a small family-run optical store or lead a large multi-location practice, this episode equips you with the mindset, language, and leadership presence to handle the most challenging team dynamics with confidence and care.
Key Topics with Timestamps:
1:58 - Managing people is often underestimated in small practices
4:18 - Why people avoid tough conversations in the workplace
7:28 - The impact on business when issues go unaddressed
11:17 - “Bacon walls” and the danger of minor issues piling up
12:33 - What is the Emotional Bank Account, and why does it matter to businesses and people
16:05 - The power of vulnerability in leadership: Why owning your part builds credibility
17:21 - Maintaining strong relationships and accountability through the ‘business hat’ approach
22:49 - Navigating family dynamics in business (husband-wife teams, siblings, etc.)
26:42 - When not to have the conversation and when you absolutely should
30:16 - A step-by-step guide to preparing for tough conversations
36:29 - Avoid these common mistakes when dealing with challenging conversations
40:26 - Emotional management and the power of tone and language
47:13 - Real-life stories: how tough conversations led to transformational growth
51:59 - Your action step this week: stop avoiding, start planning
Join Michael at the ODMA Fair on Friday, June 28, from 2–3 PM at ICC Sydney as he shares top takeaways from the Elevate Your Practice series, practical insights to boost your team, efficiency, and patient care.
Register here: https://regonsite.eventsair.com/odmafair-2025/tradevisitor/Site/Register
Episode Suggestions:
EP30: Digital Health and the Evolving Scope of Optometry with Nicola Mountford
Connect with Michael Nasser:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-nasser/
Connect with Joanne Scott-Dostine:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-scott-dostine-144297152/
_____
Send us your thoughts about the episode
Thank you for joining us in this episode of The Focused View Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, give us a 5-Star rating, and leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify to help us reach even more eye care professionals and build a community of innovation and see new opportunities within the optical industry. Talk with you next time!
