Constructive conversations are a vital part of any leader’s job description. But the importance of conversation and communication as a leadership skill is something that can often go unexamined. There is now extensive evidence that shows there is a time and place for conversation — and that any leader or aspiring leader would likely benefit from a more serious consideration of the pitfalls of some types of dialogue.  Critically, the nuances that lie within and around conversations are often as important as the conversations themselves.