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redefine leadership.
Create a win-win culture.
Great teams aren’t built by chance.
Let’s create the high-performing, inclusive culture you deserve.
Our proven frameworks refine leadership, strengthen team cohesion, and embed inclusion into your company’s DNA—so everyone wins.
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ciao! Hola!
welcome to tough convos!
You’re here for a reason, and I’m glad you made it. I’m Daphne Magna—founder, inclusion & culture strategist, and your go-to for real, unfiltered conversations that spark change.
For 15 years, I’ve helped leaders, entrepreneurs, and global pros ditch the surface-level talk and build the kind of team culture that wins. We break down barriers, strengthen leadership, and create workplaces where people actually connect, collaborate, and thrive.
This work isn’t always easy—but trust me, it’s worth it. Because when you lead with impact and inclusion, everyone wins. Let’s get to work!
"If Communication is King, Culture is Queen."
For real
why choose us?
Customizable Frameworks: Tailored solutions for every organization.
ONLY CUSTOM WORKS
Proven Results: 30+ transformational events and 10,000+ empowered professionals.
WE CREATE AHA MOMENTS
Expertise You Can Trust: 15+ years of guiding leaders and teams across the globe.
GROWTH PLUS EASE
Integrated Digital Tools: Workbooks, courses, and online training designed for impact.
STUDENTS OF LIFE WIN
Deepen the conversation
It all starts with a Tough Convo
Ready to uncover what is holding your team culture back from greatness? We’ll help you build genuine inclusivity, capitalize on a culture of diversity, and embody leadership skills that drive positive culture change. Start with a complimentary call or check out our solutions for improving organizational culture below.
Cultural Intelligence:
The Leadership Superpower You Need
Diversity alone doesn’t build great teams—understanding and applying Cultural Intelligence (CQ) does. To create a truly inclusive, high-performing culture, leaders and teams need to develop these essential skills:
✅ Cultural Awareness – Recognizing and acknowledging differences in cultures, identities, and lived experiences. (“I see the differences.”)
✅ Cultural Competence – Learning and adapting behaviours to engage effectively across cultures. (“I know how to navigate differences.”)
✅ Cultural Intelligence (CQ) – The highest level: applying cultural knowledge strategically to lead, collaborate, and drive innovation. (“I leverage differences to create impact.”)
💡 Why It Matters:
Companies and teams with high CQ don’t just avoid miscommunication—they outperform their peers in innovation, retention and engagement.
🔹 Want to lead with Cultural Intelligence?
See how our solutions below help you build these essential leadership skills.
our solutions
Client experiences
“Daphne is an incredibly talented speaker—professional and detail-oriented. The feedback from my attendees was extremely positive. She led a fantastic Q&A session at the end of her presentation, where every single attendee felt they were in a safe and supportive environment to learn. From the time I met her, I knew I had to have her speak at my Women in Business Conference. Thank you, Daphne, for making a big impact on my community of female entrepreneurs.”
ASHLEY MEADAHL,
Founder of GLOW GETTER
FREE RESOURCES
Get inspired and take advantage of our free resources that guide, help, and hasten your growth to greater cultural awareness and improved leadership skills.
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What is Tough Convos?Tough Convos is a leadership development and cultural intelligence firm dedicated to building inclusive, high-performing teams. We serve business leaders, multicultural professionals, and global teams by integrating cultural intelligence into leadership strategies that drive real impact. We know that fostering a culture of diversity requires more than surface-level efforts. That’s why our tailored solutions bridge the gap between awareness and action. We provide leadership training, team-building programs, and digital learning experiences that empower organizations to cultivate a workplace where everyone can excel.
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How did Tough Convos start?Daphne Magna, a multilingual culture and communications specialist, founded Tough Convos as a direct response to the tensions felt in the Black community in 2020 and the dire need for a safe space to discuss issues we had previously not felt able to discuss openly such as anti-Black racism. Tough Convos was an extension of the cross-cultural work Daphne was doing at Professional Passport R, heavily centered on race, DEI and human rights.
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Who is the founder Daphne Magna?Daphne Magna is an educator first and foremost, specializing in culture, inclusion and professional development. She is also a passionate speaker, documentary producer, and human rights advocate. She has facilitated 1000’s of tough conversations and learning experiences for global companies, non-profit organizations, post secondary institutions and local community groups. To know more about her, go over to www.toughconvos.com/our-story
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What sets Tough Convos apart?Our team of multicultural, multilingual thought leaders brings a global perspective to every initiative. Whether it’s through experiential workshops, digital content, or corporate culture design, we help companies build sustainable, inclusive cultures that fuel innovation and long-term success. Tough Convos Experiences & workshops CultureQ Team Building Leadership Development & The Leadership Refinery Brand Alignment & Inclusive Communications Digital Learning & Cultural Intelligence Resources We meet you where you are on your culture journey, offering customizable solutions that align with your company’s vision and growth strategy.
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Is Tough Convos suitable for small businesses as well as larger corporations?Absolutely! We have worked with fortune 500 banks, engineering and telecommunications firms, while at the same time working with industry associations, post-secondary institutions, not-for profits and entrepreneurs. Tough Convos tailors its services to meet specific needs of the organizations that want to grow to become more inclusive and culturally competent.
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What industries or companies have you worked with?We specialize in industries with multicultural teams and leaders committed to inclusivity. Our clients come from technology, engineering, education, hospitality, telecommunications, and more—any sector where diverse teams thrive.
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Can these programs work for remote teams?Absolutely! Our programs are designed to meet the needs of multicultural and global teams, whether they’re in the same office or dispersed across the world. We leverage technology to ensure seamless engagement and collaboration.
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What success stories can Tough Convos share from previous engagements?Tough Convos takes pride in the impact it has had on diverse organizations. We have highlighted a few of our client experiences on our Solutions page. Feel free to check them out there.
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What do we do?We take complicated subject matter and find easier ways to break it down to bite-size relevant pieces that people can confront, digest, and then apply to their lives. Our specialties include leadership development, team building and company culture. We focus on creating interactive user-friendly digital content such as workshops, workbooks, and online courses to build strategy and implementation around culture and brand alignment. Whether facilitating team dialogues, leader retreats, or online experiential workshops, we are committed to buidling your cultural intelligence so you and your team thrive.
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Can Tough Convos help address specific challenges our organization is facing regarding diversity and inclusion?Absolutely. Our approach is highly flexible, and we will work closely with your organization to address specific challenges you may be facing in the realm of cultural awareness, inclusive leadership and diversity and inclusion programs. We encourage companies to invest on our quarterly series so that we can build upon the learning and ensure there is implementation. See our Shop.
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What are the most common topics discussed?We create custom content for every Tough Convo so that we can engage in deep conversation around topics that matter to us such as challenges, biases, situations, questions that come from our community of allies, leaders and individuals who want to know more, learn more and continue on their journey to being an anti-racist. By creating a safe space we can uncover false information and address uncomfortable topics that will bring us closer together with the Black community so we can dismantle racism, colourism, police brutality and everything anti-Blackness.
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What is cultural intelligence, and why is it important for leadership?Cultural intelligence (CQ) is your ability to “relate to anyone, anywhere.” It goes beyond cultural awareness by equipping you to adapt and engage effectively with others’ perspectives, rather than expecting them to align with yours. This skill is crucial for leaders in today’s diverse global workplace.
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How can Tough Convos help enhance cultural intelligence within our team?We understand the importance of cultural intelligence, and provide experiences that go beyond surface-level understanding. Expect programs that empower individuals to look beyond their blindspots and teams to improve how they navigate a diverse workforce. Check out some of our recent blogs to better understand how we approach helping you improve yourcultural intelligence.
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How do I know which program is right for me or my team?In our initial consultation, we take the time to dig into your team’s unique needs, desires, and goals. This allows us to identify which program will best support your objectives, ensuring a tailored and effective experience.
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What does a customized framework look like in practice?Every program starts with a comprehensive intake process to identify key focus areas. From there, we design a tailored plan, incorporating relevant tools, activities, and resources that align with your team’s specific challenges and aspirations.
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How do you measure the success of your programs?We measure success in three ways: Quantitative Metrics: Tangible markers, like performance improvements or goal completion rates. Behavioral Change: Qualitative shifts, observed through improved interactions and cultural alignment. Emotional Engagement: The adoption of new norms and increased enthusiasm for inclusive practices.
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Do you offer ongoing support after the program ends?Yes! We provide ongoing tools, programs, and support to ensure your growth doesn’t stop when the program ends. We’re here to meet you where you are and continue helping your organization thrive.
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Can your programs align with existing initiatives?Certainly! During our initial audit, we assess your current efforts and integrate our programs to complement and enhance what you already have in place. We ensure a holistic approach by connecting with the relevant leaders and groups.
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How long do the programs typically take?Our programs generally run for 6–12 months, depending on your organization’s goals. We also offer shorter, focused programs for individual leaders or teams needing immediate solutions or specific skill development. For example, we have quarterly sessions that run for one year, 8-16 week training programs and 3 day retreats for leaders.
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How can our organization get started with Tough Convos?Reach out through our contact channels, and we'll work closely with your organization to understand its unique needs, tailoring a program that aligns with your corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Contact us directly at info@toughconvos.com to inquire about custom sessions for leadership or teams or book a free initial consultation call with our founder, Daphne Magna, here.
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Is there a free trial or consultation available to see if Tough Convos is the right fit for our organization?We offer a free initial consultation to understand your organization's needs and discuss how Tough Convos can support your journey toward building a more inclusive workplace and more culturally intelligent employees. Our community Tough Convos are also free for anyone to join.
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Does Tough Convos offer resources for individuals and/or companies and how I access them?Accessing all of our learning resources has been streamlined on our website. We have a Free Resources tab where you can download any of our digital resources and we have secure membership pages for custom company programs, ensuring individuals can engage seamlessly with the content. Check out our ally resources that have many actionable items and best practices you can use. We can also offer guidance on initiating tough conversations within your own groups whether it's workplace discussions or community outreach. We're here to curate, facilitate or host courageous sessions for those looking to grow and connect.
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How can individuals or organizations stay informed about upcoming Tough Convos events, workshops, or new content releases?Subscribe to our newsletter and follow our Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook pages for regular updates on upcoming events, workshops, and new content releases. It's the best way to keep learning, get useful tools, and advance on your journey as an ally.
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