Christina Wing, a faculty member at Harvard Business School and founder of Wingspan Legacy Partners, has released a new book addressing difficult topics often avoided in workplace and personal conversations. Titled *Unspeakable: The Taboo Topics We Avoid and How to Talk About Them*, the book explores subjects such as politics, religion, money, succession planning, health, and ageing—areas Wing identifies as frequently shunned due to their association with power, identity, status, and family dynamics.

Wing argues that although these issues are fundamental to both professional and personal lives, many leaders and organizations continue to remain silent, particularly on matters like retirement and succession planning. This culture of avoidance, she cautions, can have serious consequences for workplace effectiveness and employee well-being. The rise of political polarization and the influence of social media have further reduced people’s willingness to engage in these challenging conversations, she notes.

Among the most sensitive topics at work, Wing singles out personal health matters, including anything from weight concerns to complex medical conditions, as the most taboo. Her book provides guidance on how to navigate conversations related to fertility treatments, maternity leave, long-term illness, and caregiving responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of upfront communication about employees’ out-of-office realities.

Typically, managers respond to employee personal issues with vague reassurances such as “Let me know how I can help” or “Take all the time you need.” Wing advocates for a more structured and specific approach that transforms support from discretionary favors into formal policies. Examples include temporarily adjusting workloads to a four-day week or facilitating remote work arrangements. She stresses that such accommodations should be clearly time-limited to set mutual expectations.

To facilitate these discussions, *Unspeakable* includes sample scripts and conversation starters. Wing highlights the practice of an unnamed senior leader who holds annual “capacity and life stage conversations” with employees, separate from performance reviews. These meetings begin with open questions like, “What constraints are you managing outside of work this year?”—encouraging honesty and transparency.

Overall, Wing’s work calls for a cultural shift that acknowledges the complexity of employees’ lives while fostering communication to address topics that are often ignored but crucial for sustainable workplaces.