The latest issue of Think Global People magazine is out now!

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When Sarah Rozenthuler was 17 she was set on studying architecture and had a place at Nottingham University. On the eve of her final A level maths exam, her mother asked a simple but bold question over dinner: “Do you truly want to be an architect?”Here was Sarah’s first experience of the bravery and power of having difficult conversations, something which she writes about in her most recent book, Now We’re Talking: How to discuss what really matters, which simplifies complex territory with practical tools and cutting-edge insights.“I felt a massive weight lift off my shoulders,” she recalls. “My mum was right. I didn’t want to study architecture—I had been chasing my dad’s unfulfilled dream.” The next day, her geography teacher, doubling as a careers advisor, phoned Nottingham University. They allowed her to change her offer to psychology, a subject she barely knew anything about.“I owe my mum everything for that intervention,” she says. “Her emotional intelligence and courage to have that difficult conversation changed my life.”Years later, another crossroads emerged—this time, shaped by a letter from her mother once again tackling a difficult and sensitive subject. Fresh from an extended stint living in Spain, where she had been busking and performing street circus to make ends meet, she returned home feeling “burnt out” and unsure about her career. Her first-class degree from Nottingham felt outdated. Her mother, now a successful entrepreneur after years as a teacher, suggested Sarah get in touch with one of her former professors, asking if he knew of any work she might be able to do. “To my surprise, he responded warmly and connected me with an opportunity in the civil service.” This small gesture led to a full-time position as a psychologist, marking the start of a long and fulfilling career.Such turning points underscore the value of being open to guidance, especially during challenging times.“It was humbling to ask for help,” she reflects, “but those moments taught me resilience and the importance of leaning on others.”Risk-taking had already become a recurring theme in her life, particularly during her years in Spain. What began as a temporary plan to teach English evolved into an unexpected four-year stint performing street circus acts.“I had to survive,” she explains. “I learned how to gather and hold a crowd, pass the hat, and survive on what I earned. It was completely hand-to-mouth. There’s something about being a stranger in a strange land—it creates a compassion for others who might feel similarly displaced.”Despite the financial insecurity, this experience recalibrated her relationship with risk. “Coming from a stable family—mum a teacher, dad a civil engineer—I never imagined embracing self-employment. But those years on the road taught me to navigate uncertainty, something that’s been invaluable in my career as a consultant.”

Using the power of opportunity to build a lasting career

Looking back, she credits her unorthodox path for shaping her perspective. “I spent my 20s living precariously, but I wouldn’t trade that for anything,” she says. “The risks I took early on gave me the confidence to embrace opportunities later in life, even those outside my comfort zone.“On a training course in the civil service, I was asked about the street circus, and the trainer said, you have learned how to build ‘containers’ quickly. That safe, energising container is something we really need, whether it's one on one or a team or a wider group. It was a light bulb moment, because although I had a very unconventional apprenticeship, it was the best training I could have had for group facilitation and holding space.”In an increasingly interconnected world, the value of international experience cannot be overstated. Sarah now has years of working across continents, from facilitating meetings in South Asia to navigating cultural nuances in the Middle East and these have provided profound lessons, not only in professional growth but also in personal transformation.

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• Supercharged You: Leaning into Difficult Conversations
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Lessons from global work and communication preferences

Sarah’s career, which has included working for international organisations like the World Bank, has also deepened her perspective. From the United States to South Asia, each region has offered unique challenges, she says.One vivid memory is from a meeting in Bangladesh. “I was facilitating a session for 17 charity CEOs, but in the next room, they were hosting a Mr. Universe competition,” she says. “Loud music would burst through paper-thin walls, and the reception was full of competitors milling around in shorts. Flip charts wouldn’t stand properly, and the pens barely worked. It sounds trivial, but it’s moments like these that make you appreciate how smoothly things can run in more resourced environments.”These experiences underscored a recurring theme: resilience in the face of unpredictability. “Working in under-resourced settings, you learn to adapt, to make things happen despite the obstacles. It’s humbling, and it builds a deep sense of resourcefulness,” she says.In the Middle East, she encountered an entirely different dynamic.“There’s so much energy and emotion in the room. Relationships are crucial and people want to know about your family, to connect on a personal level before diving into work. It’s a cultural emphasis that fits well with who I am, but it requires a different mindset.”China, by contrast, presented subtler challenges. Leading online sessions with Chinese participants highlighted cultural barriers to expressing an opposing point of view and engaging in open dialogue.“Using a conversation model that involved opposing or challenging ideas was particularly difficult. It taught me how deeply cultural norms influence communication.”

The unique value of international work

International experience, she believes, is invaluable for personal and professional growth. “You’re not a tourist. You’re interacting with hotel staff, local colleagues, and community members to make work happen. It’s a different, more immersive way of engaging with a place.”Her travels have left her with a profound appreciation for systems that work and a sharper awareness of cultural diversity. “It’s not just about learning to operate in another country—it’s about building relationships, adapting to new realities, and finding common ground. And in doing so, you discover not only the world but also yourself.”For anyone considering an international stint, her advice is simple: take the leap. “The discomfort, the challenges—they all lead to growth. You’ll return with a richer understanding of the world and a greater appreciation for your own corner of it.”Graduating in a tough job market in 1997, she found herself starting at the bottom rung as a junior psychologist in the civil service, despite her peers already advancing in their careers. “It was humbling, but it gave me focus,” she reflects. Setting the goal of becoming a chartered psychologist—a process typically spanning four to five years—offered her a clear direction.The decision to prioritise long-term goals over immediate recognition wasn’t easy, but it paid off. “I just buckled down and got on with it,” she says, emphasising how perseverance and a clear sense of purpose were instrumental in shaping her career.

Pivotal career decisions and the courage to act

Several key moments stand out as transformative in her career. One was leaving the civil service after five years to join a consulting company specialising in dialogue—a move that required stepping away from the security of a stable job.“It was a leap of faith,” she recalls. “I was drawn to the field of dialogue, and I knew I had to pursue it, even if it meant leaving behind the secure of a salary, a pension and sick pay.”Another significant moment came in her writing journey. Her first book, a self-help guide titled How to Have Meaningful Conversations, was followed a decade later by Powered by Purpose, a leadership book. Writing these books not only expanded her professional reach but also solidified her belief in the power of communication and purpose-driven leadership.Now We’re Talking: How to discuss what really matters is her latest book, which was written to help managers navigate tricky conversations at work. In 2007, Sarah founded Bridgework Consulting Ltd, a renowned consultancy firm dedicated to empowering leaders, teams, and organisations to achieve greatness.Sarah is a valued member of the faculty at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where she teaches on the Advanced Management and Leadership Programme. She imparts crucial dialogue skills and assists leaders from across the globe in embedding purpose within their organisations and teams, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. Sarah also delivers masterclasses for the British Psychological Society where she is an Associate Fellow. 

Lessons from a non-linear career path

Reflecting on her career, she acknowledges how attitudes toward career paths have evolved.“When I graduated, there was immense pressure to secure a graduate job immediately,” she says. “Today, younger generations have a more fluid attitude toward work. Careers are recognised as nonlinear, and that’s a positive shift.”Her own “squiggly career,” marked by twists, turns, and courageous choices, underscores the importance of adaptability and self-awareness.“You win some, you lose some,” she says, sharing a personal motto. “It’s about finding your passion and having the courage to follow it, even when the path is uncertain. Spaciousness in life—leaving room for the unexpected—can be just as important as planning. The best opportunities often arise when you’re least expecting them.”

Learn from Sarah at Think Global People’s celebration of International Women’s Day

Join us as Sarah Rozenthuler delves into the power of conversation as a transformative tool at our International Women’s Day event, Think Global Women 2025: Taking Action for Equity. You will come away with an actionable strategy which will help you feel confident about navigating challenging conversations, whether this is to advance your career or find a greater sense of balance in your life. With inspiration from real-life stories and takeaways from psychological research, Sarah’s talk will strengthen you to lean in to having a difficult conversation with competence, confidence and clarity.On Friday, March 7, 2025, Think Global Women invites you to a transformative event dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion and amplifying women’s voices in leadership. Join us for a ground breaking session on how to be heard, and how to engage in challenging discussions at work with confidence and clarity. Whether it is asking for a promotion, putting yourself forward for an international assignment, providing constructive feedback to a senior colleague, or addressing sensitive team dynamics, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies to excel.

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Leading Change through Dialogue

Leading Change through Dialogue – a cutting-edge skill building programme on how to lead powerful conversations that catalyse sustainable change and create real valueLeading Change through Dialogue is a skill-building programme that provides practical tools, enabling you to lead powerful conversations that create positive change – for you, your team and organisation. This programme is based on the book How to Have Meaningful Conversations by Sarah Rozenthuler (Watkins, 2019.)Book Sarah’s Online Programme “Leading Change through Dialogue” 11-12 March 2025 here

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