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Imagine a cartoon opening a door to transform a challenging conversation into a productive and meaningful conversation in your team.  In this episode, we explore how listening and observation can engage humor which can shift our mindset and enhance our ability to engage with others meaningfully. Dave Coverly is the award-winning creator of the internationally syndicated cartoon Speed Bump, featured in hundreds of publications including The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Globe & Mail. A four-time winner of the National Cartoonists Society's “Best Newspaper Panel” award, he received their highest honor, the Reuben Award for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year,” in 2009. His work appears on greeting cards, in books, and across major media outlets, and he serves as the principal cartoonist for BarkBox.  Dave Coverly has authored several cartoon collections and children's books published by Macmillan namely Speed Bump: A Collection of Cartoon Skidmarks (Andrews McMeel), Cartoons for Idea People (ECW), Just One %$#@ Speed Bump After Another (ECW),  Dogs Are People, Too, and its sequel, Cats Are People, Too. And his children's picture books include Sue MacDonald Had a Book (with Jim Tobin, Macmillan), The Very Inappropriate Word (with Jim Tobin, Macmillan), and How To Care For Your T-Rex (with Ken Baker, Macmillan). His chapter book trilogy began with Night of the Living Worms, and continued with Night of the Living Shadows, and Night of the Living Zombie Bugs.   With a career spanning over 30 years, Dave has mastered the art of observational humor, using his cartoons to reflect on the human experience and the nuances of everyday life. In this conversation, Dave shares personal stories and insights that have shaped his career as a cartoonist with listening playing a core role. Not just as a skill, but as a vital part understanding human patterns and through this tapping into human connection.  We explore how humor can serve as a bridge to deeper conversations and how the act of listening can inform and inspire creativity.  Listen to the end, where David also shares how humor can help navigate serious conversations and lighten the mood. Enjoy listening in! “Listening is about connecting with people and understanding their experiences.” – Dave Coverly SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:08 – The Power of Humor. Dave discusses how humor can provide a different perspective on serious topics and enhance communication. 02:50 – Early Influences. Reflecting on his childhood experiences with his uncle and teacher that sparked his interest in listening and humor. 10:15 – The Role of Observation. Dave explains how being an observant listener informs his cartooning process and helps him create relatable content. 15:30 – The Importance of Context. Understanding how context shapes humor and the need to stay relevant in a changing world. 22:00 – Listening as a Creative Tool. How deep listening can lead to new ideas and insights in both cartooning and everyday interactions. 30:00 – The Impact of Silence. Exploring how silence can enhance the listening experience and foster deeper connections. 35:00 – Humor in Serious Situations. Dave shares how humor can help navigate serious conversations and lighten the mood. 42:00 – The Evolution of Humor. A discussion on how humor adapts to cultural changes and the importance of authenticity in comedic expression. Key Takeaways: “Doing humor is kind of that right brain, left brain thing." – Dave Coverly “Humor is a way to connect with people and share experiences.” – Dave Coverly “Listening is not just about hearing words; it's about understanding the context and emotions behind them.” – Dave Coverly "I love the idea of having a cartoon as a pause for, to take a breath or pause to reset or a pause to allow another perspective or pause to give permission to another perspective."– Dave Coverly   People Mentioned: Mike Peters - A cartoonist who provided Dave with valuable advice about humor and authenticity in cartooning. Christy Ottaviano - Dave's children's book editor, described as a legend in the industry.   Connect with Dave Coverly: https://www.speedbump.com/ https://www.instagram.com/speedbumpcomic/  

What if our effort to listen well actually interfered with the power of listening itself? What happens when we let go and allow listening to be about presence, depth, and genuine human connection? In this episode, we're joined by James Cook, a learning and development specialist in coaching and team development at a large global organization. With 28 years of experience in fast-moving consumer goods—spanning process development, supply chain, business optimization, and leadership—James has spent his career fostering growth and transformation. An ICF- and EMCC-accredited coach, he's deeply committed to the power of listening, not just in leadership and team development, but also in life's most critical moments. As a volunteer listener for Samaritans UK, he brings a unique perspective on the profound impact of listening in times of crisis. In this conversation, James shares personal stories and insights that have reshaped his understanding of what listening truly is—and how he applies these lessons in his daily work. We explore how deep listening builds stronger teams, fosters real connection, and even transforms lives. Enjoy listening in!   “Listening is something that we shouldn't interrupt. It's there between the two of you.” - James Cook   SUPERPOWER Notes: 02:01 – The Journey to Listening Awareness. James Cook reflects on his personal and professional experiences that led him to recognize the power of listening. 05:00 – The Birth of a New Understanding. How the arrival of his daughter with a rare skin condition opened his eyes to the need for deeper listening. 15:30 – The Impact of Crisis on Listening. Exploring how moments of personal loss drove James to volunteer as a listener for the Samaritans. 21:00 – The Power of Presence. James discusses the importance of being fully present in conversations and the impact it has on connection. 28:00 – The Role of Silence in Listening. Understanding how silence can enhance the listening experience and create deeper connections. 31:00 – Listening as a Leadership Skill. Why developing deep listening skills is essential for leaders to drive meaningful change. 38:00 – Practical Tips for Enhancing Listening Skills. James shares actionable strategies for improving listening in everyday interactions. 44:00 – The Future of Listening in Leadership. A discussion on the evolving role of listening in effective leadership and team dynamics.   Key Takeaways: "Sometimes it's not about what you can do for the other person or how good you are at listening. It's actually the offer you make to people in crisis which is your presence and just being there." - James Cook “...sometimes we see it in business meetings that we're almost going in there with an agenda... waiting to have our turn, to have our say." - James Cook “...space will allow the listening to happen, the listening will happen without me doing anything."- James Cook   Recommended podcast episode:  Oscar Trimboli Full Interview: Getting Personal and Down to Business with Listening: https://listeningalchemy.com/listen-in/oscar-trimboli-full-interview-getting-personal-and-down-to-business-with-listening/  Oscar Trimboli on Listening in Organizations and to Customers: https://listeningalchemy.com/listen-in/oscar-trimboli-on-listening-in-organizations-and-to-customers/    Resources and People Mentioned: Samaritans - A charity organization in the UK that provides a listening service for people in crisis or feeling suicidal. Oscar Trimboli - Author and speaker known for his model of the five levels of listening. Nancy Klein - Creator of the "Time to Think" methodology, which focuses on creating thinking environments for effective listening and conversation.   Connect with James Cook Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-cook-a62633/    Connect with Raquel Ark  www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn

Have you ever felt unheard in a conversation?  Or wondered why society seems more divided than ever? Historian and podcast host Ramona Houston joins us to reveal how radical listening can bridge cultural divides, resolve conflicts, and reshape history. Ramona Houston is a U.S. historian specializing in African American and Mexican American history.  As we celebrate Black History Month, Ramona shares her insights on the power of listening and its impact on understanding history and resolving conflicts. In this episode, she highlights the significance of radical listening—truly hearing what others say and what remains unspoken. Ramona discusses how listening can transform relationships, whether personal or professional, and how it plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges. Through her experiences, Ramona emphasizes the importance of recognizing often-overlooked contributions to history, particularly from women and marginalized communities. By listening to diverse voices, we can reshape our understanding of history and foster a more inclusive narrative. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a leader seeking to improve communication, or someone passionate about social change, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the art of listening and its potential to create positive change. "In the U.S., we have Black History Month, Women's History Month, AAPI Heritage Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month—times dedicated to recognizing how different groups have contributed to American history.  This is important because if you read American history books, you'll see how many groups have been marginalized.  As historians, we work toward a future where these histories are included in all books and in all ways—not just separated out. History changes when we start adding different groups of people.”- Ramona Houston   SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:01 – The Importance of Inclusive History. Ramona Houston explains how recognizing diverse contributions in American history helps reshape historical narratives. 02:30 – How Listening Shapes Leadership and Communication. Host Raquel Ark introduces the episode, emphasizing how deep listening transforms conversations and leadership effectiveness. 05:00 – Radical Listening: Hearing What's Unspoken. Ramona shares how her husband, jazz musician Terreon Gully  taught her the value of listening beyond words. 12:00 – The Impact of Social Media on Polarization. Analyzing how digital platforms reinforce ideological silos and disrupt constructive dialogue. 15:30 – Historical Silence: What's Left Out of the Story?. Why historical omissions contribute to social inequality and how embracing all perspectives can shift narratives. 21:00 – Representation in History: Who Gets Remembered? Ramona discusses the need for historical inclusion beyond white, male-centric narratives. 24:30 – Hidden Figures: The Legacy of Ralph Bunche & Kofi Annan Exploring the underrepresented global impact of Black leaders in diplomacy and human rights. 28:00 – The Ripple Effect of Untold Stories How uncovering marginalized histories can reshape our present and future. 31:00 – Books as Intellectual Property: Expanding Knowledge Horizons Ramona emphasizes the power of reading to challenge biases and broaden perspectives. 34:30 – The "Cuba" Book Example: Understanding Global Influence Raquel shares how reading historical accounts of Cuba changed her understanding of American and Puerto Rican history. 38:00 – How to Create a Culture of Listening Practical strategies for fostering an environment where different perspectives can be voiced safely. 44:00 – Radical Listening as a Leadership Tool.Why leaders must develop deep listening skills to drive meaningful, sustainable change.         Key Takeaways “Listening is a powerful tool for resolving conflict and understanding one another.” – Ramona Houston “Radical listening is about hearing both what people say—and what they don't say.” - Ramona Houston “Conflict arises when we're too focused on speaking instead of truly listening.”- Ramona Houston “Social media has connected us, but it has also divided us—because we only listen to those who think like us.”- Ramona Houston “You can't resolve conflict if you're not willing to listen first.”- Ramona Houston “If you're truly listening, you're changing.”- Ramona Houston   Resources and People Mentioned Carter G. Woodson - Founder of Black History Month. Ralph Bunch - Influential in creating the United Nations and a significant figure in human rights. Kofi Annan - First person of African descent to lead the United Nations and initiated the Global Compact. Dr. Juan Andrade - Founder of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute. Recommended Listening Superpower Podcast Episodes Empowering Voices for Social Impact and Connecting Communities with Ramona Houston  Starting from Zero: The Impact of Listening to What is Not Being Said with Grammy Winning Musician Terreon Gully Definition of Listening Based on Science with Dr. Avi Kluger   Connect with Ramona Houston   Website: https://ramonahouston.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonahouston/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.RamonaHouston#   

We all appreciate the dedication of healthcare providers. Yet, with only 10-minute appointments and research historically centered on men, the quality of care is impacted. Every day, countless women leave doctor's offices feeling unheard, dismissed, or worse—misdiagnosed. Their symptoms are downplayed, their concerns minimized—especially with conditions like menopause and endometriosis, which often take years to diagnose. This doesn't just affect women; it impacts their families and the men who support them. But what if there were a better way? In this episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast, join me in an insightful conversation with Dr. Sally Doust, a UK family physician with 12 years of experience. She reveals how the simple act of truly listening has transformed her patients' lives. Through real patient stories and practical insights, discover how empathetic communication and more research can bridge the critical gaps in women's healthcare and lead to better outcomes In this episode, she highlights the importance of addressing often-overlooked health issues like menopause and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).  By listening to her patients, Sally not only provides them with the right information and treatment options but also empowers them to reclaim their health and well-being. Learn how you can apply these insights to foster better communication and understanding in your own life or practice. Whether you're a healthcare provider seeking to enhance your practice, a woman navigating your own health journey, or an advocate for change – this conversation will open your mind to consider and pioneer actionable strategies to make a difference.  Connect with Dr. Sally Doust on LinkedIn to join a growing community of professionals and patients working together to revolutionize women's healthcare. Don't just witness the change – be part of it.   “Using the power of science to hold women in higher regard than they have been given so far and to champion their stories.” – Sally Doust SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:01:15 – The Journey of a Doctor: Sally shares her experience as a general practitioner in the UK, highlighting the challenges of working within the NHS and the emotional toll of decision fatigue. 00:03:15 – The Impact of Listening: Sally discusses how listening to women's stories in her practice revealed significant gaps in their healthcare experiences, particularly around menopause and other women's health issues. 00:04:45 – The Importance of HRT: Sally emphasizes the life-changing effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women suffering from menopause symptoms and the misinformation surrounding it. 00:07:28 – Addressing Shame and Silence: The conversation explores how societal stigma and lack of open dialogue contribute to feelings of shame among women regarding their health issues. 00:10:02 – Healing Through Listening: Sally reflects on the cathartic experience for patients when they feel heard and validated during consultations, transforming their shame into relief and hope. 00:13:06 – Facilitating Communication: Sally shares techniques for helping patients articulate their health concerns, emphasizing the importance of asking guiding questions. 00:15:15 – The Role of Social Media: Discussion on how social media has empowered women to share their health experiences, creating a collective voice that challenges the silence around women's health issues. 00:17:06 – Gender Equality in Healthcare: Sally highlights the broader implications of addressing women's health, noting that improving women's participation in the workforce benefits society as a whole. 00:21:19 – Empowering Patients with Knowledge: Sally underscores the significance of educating patients about their health conditions, which can be more impactful than medication alone. 00:24:06 – Pioneering Change: Sally recounts a moment with a patient suffering from PMDD, illustrating the importance of recognizing and discussing under-researched conditions in women's health. 00:31:00 – The Concept of Bikini Medicine: Sally explains how women's healthcare has historically focused too narrowly on reproductive health, neglecting other critical aspects of women's health. 00:34:09 – Personal and Professional Goals: Sally expresses her desire to integrate data science into her work to better understand and advocate for women's health issues on a larger scale. Key Takeaways “Listening is the most healing thing I can do in clinic.” – Sally Doust “Women often feel dismissed and unheard in healthcare settings.” – Sally Doust “Empowering patients with knowledge is a powerful therapeutic tool.” – Sally Doust “Collective voices can challenge the silence around women's health issues.” – Sally Doust Connect with Dr. Sally Doust  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-doust-7b0419aa/?originalSubdomain=uk    Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 listeningsuperpower@gmail.com contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark   

What if too much collaboration can hinder productivity?   Our guest, author Joe McCormack, a communication expert who helps professionals navigate information overload, shares practical tips on how to balance collaboration with the essential quiet time needed for deep thinking. Joe McCormack is a communication expert who helps professionals navigate information overload.  As an entrepreneur, he founded Sheffield Company and The BRIEF Lab, specializing in concise communication and leadership development. He's the author of "Brief," "Noise," and "Quiet Works," which address the challenges of focus and distraction. His work includes a podcast, "Just Saying," and the development of "Quiet Workplaces," dedicated spaces for focused work. Previously, he was a senior executive at Ketchum. Joe McCormack holds a BA in English Literature from Loyola University of Chicago. In this episode, Joe discusses the release of his new book, Quiet Works, which is part of a trilogy focused on achieving clarity and intentionality at work.  Building on his previous works, Brief and Noise, Joe emphasizes the importance of making it easier for others to listen to us. He shares insights on how individuals can take responsibility for their communication and listening practices.  The conversation highlights the value of quiet time before engaging in discussions, underscoring its role in preparation and centeredness.    "Quiet is not a technique. It's an appointment." - Joe McCormack   SUPERPOWER Notes:   00:02:17 – The Challenge of Embracing Quiet: Joe discusses his initial resistance to quiet and the insights he gained while writing Noise, highlighting the internal noise that often distracts us. 00:06:48 – The Power of Scheduling Quiet: Joe explains how scheduling quiet time can lead to better preparation and improved performance in professional settings. 00:12:07 – Defining Quiet: Joe offers a practical definition of quiet in a professional context, emphasizing the need for dedicated time alone to think and reflect. 00:14:35 – The Importance of Preparation: The conversation highlights how preparation through quiet can enhance listening skills and overall communication effectiveness. 00:28:08 – Collaboration vs. personal time: Discussion on the balance between collaboration and the need for personal quiet time to think and reflect. 00:34:11 – Avoiding quiet and self-reflection: Exploration of why people often avoid quiet moments and the fear of confronting their own thoughts. 00:36:19 – The power of pausing decisions: Emphasizing the value of taking a moment to pause before making decisions to ensure they are well thought out. 00:41:29 –  QCO: A Practical Tool for Meetings: Joe introduces the QCO (Question, Comment, Observation) technique to encourage thoughtful participation in meetings. 00:48:58 –  The value of quiet moments: Discussing how quiet moments can enhance clarity and improve overall work performance. 00:54:25 –  Quiet workplace: Ideas on designing workspaces that promote quiet and reduce distractions for improved employee well-being and productivity.     Key Takeaways "Quiet is not a technique. It's an appointment."- Joe McCormack "Anything that's worth doing in life is worth doing poorly."- Joe McCormack "Quiet allows me to slow down for a minute... it literally changed me as a person."- Joe McCormack "The quality of a person's listening being present in the moment makes a person.It changes everything.”- Joe McCormack "You need more time alone, not seven hours a day, but you need 10 minutes."- Joe McCormack Resources Mentioned: Podcast Episode:Elite Communications Skills as a Competitive Advantage, Think Clearly and Communicate Concisely with Joe McCormack   Connect with Joe McCormack: https://josephmccormack.com/ https://josephmccormack.com/my-books/  https://josephmccormack.com/my-podcasts/   Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 listeningsuperpower@gmail.com contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark   

Curious about the art of asking questions? Mike discusses the importance of crafting the right questions and how they can lead to deeper connections. Dr. Michael W. Purdy (PhD Ohio University) is co–editor with Deborah Borisoff (NYU) of Listening in Everyday Life: A Personal and Professional Approach (2nd ed). He has authored articles for the International Journal of Listening, (including two articles in 2015). His publications include: Listening and Qualitative Research, in Listening and Human Communication in the 21st Century; Listening and the Non–Technologized Self in Cultura De Guatemala This last year he also posted an article (Listening Ecology: Tuning into the Environment, Saving the Planet) for the Global Listening Centre (http://www.globallisteningcentre.org).  and Listening Nudges: Empowerment (Not Power) draft on academia.edu. In this episode of the Listening Superpower podcast, Mike shares his extensive journey in the world of listening, revealing the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of its power.  He reflects on his early experiences, including training at a phone health care call center, which introduced him to the fundamentals of listening.  Mike also discusses his doctoral work on philosopher Merleau-Ponty, emphasizing the importance of receptivity and the role of the speaker in the listening process.  Additionally, he shares insights from teaching an introductory interpersonal communication class and highlights the influence of early listening scholars at Ohio University.  Join us for an enlightening conversation that explores the nuances of listening and its impact on communication.   Enjoy listening in.   "People do want to come together. They want to connect. They want to build relationships. They want to be seen. They want to be valued." - Michael W. Purdy    SUPERPOWER Notes:   00:02:10 -  Foundations of Community: The Transformative Power of Listening Listening emerges as a critical catalyst in community building, revealing how genuine attention can create meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging. 00:05:32 -   Navigating Listening Dynamics: Understanding the Subtle Art of Connection delves deep into the intricate landscape of listening, exploring how conscious awareness of our communication patterns can fundamentally transform interpersonal interactions. 00:17:12 -   Conscious Listening: Decoding a Three-Dimensional Communication Skill. Mike unpacks "conscious listening" as a sophisticated skill comprising observation, strategic conversation management, and the ability to seamlessly flow within dialogue, challenging traditional notions of passive hearing. 00:20:22 -   The Alchemy of Questions: Unlocking Deeper Conversations Practical strategies are shared for elevating communication, with a focus on crafting open-ended questions that act as keys to unlocking more profound, meaningful exchanges. 00:28:12 -   Empathy in Action: Beyond Sympathy to Genuine Understanding The discussion explores the nuanced difference between sympathy and empathy, highlighting how truly listening can create more authentic and supportive connections. Key Takeaways.   "If we don't listen, we don't know how to respond." - Michael W. Purdy  "Democracy dies if people won't or can't or don't know how to listen." - Michael W. Purdy  "Conscious listening is the process of working at being a listener."- Michael W. Purdy  "It takes a long time. People think (listening) is a very complicated thing."- Michael W. Purdy "Relax and listen."- Michael W. Purdy    Poeple and Resources mentioned Yaval Harari  Brene Brown  Dick Halley  Heidegger  Merleau-Ponty  ILA (International Listening Association)  Connect with Michael W. Purdy  https://www.globallisteningcentre.org/member/michael-w-purdy/  https://www.globallisteningcentre.org/   

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Liz, a respected voice in the realm of listening and cultural dynamics. Liz brings a unique perspective on how listening varies across different cultures and the importance of adapting our listening styles to foster deeper connections. Dr. Elizabeth S. Parks is an instructor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. An affiliate faculty with the Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. Park's work is at the intersection of social science and the humanities and explores how we can improve listening across diversity and difference. Today  she has over 50 peer reviewed publications and two acclaimed books, including the recently published book that we'll talk about in the podcast, Listening the Key Concepts, which explores 177 different ways to listen. Her books bring deep insight into ethics and the power of listening. Liz shares her journey of growing up in a bicultural home, where she learned early on that listening is not a one-size-fits-all approach. She discusses the contrasting ways she showed respect and honor to her family members from different cultural backgrounds, highlighting the significance of adapting her listening style.    "The way that we show up as listeners is really the first act of communication, not the second."– Elizabeth S. Parks    SUPERPOWER Notes:  05:08 – Liz reflects on her childhood experiences in a bicultural home and how they shaped her understanding of listening.  07:57 – The conversation shifts to Liz's adult experiences and the challenges of adapting her listening style when interacting with her partner's family.  10:22 – Liz emphasizes the importance of checking in with others to align expectations and ensure effective communication.  11:20 – The concept of code-switching is introduced, explaining how individuals navigate different cultural contexts through their listening behaviors.  20:05 – Liz discusses the importance of listening to oneself and maintaining authenticity while adapting to various cultural environments.  18:04 – The conversation delves into the research behind listening, with Liz sharing her motivations for studying the topic and the ethical implications of listening.  23:11 – Liz outlines three critical questions regarding listening: When do we listen? What kind of listening do we engage in? When do we stop listening?  34:07 – The discussion highlights the various types of listening, including horizontal and vertical listening, and their relevance in organizational contexts.  45:28 – Liz shares her insights on dialogic listening and the importance of creating meaning together in conversations. Key Takeaways “The way that I listen really, really matters for the ways that those relationships played out.” – Elizabeth S. Parks  “Listening is work in these different cultures, but listening to ourselves and being really true to ourselves is also extremely important.” – Elizabeth S. Parks  “In order to be the kind of listeners we want to be, we need to be a bit more strategic about our own energy flows.” – Elizabeth S. Parks  Connect with ELizabeth Parks https://www.elizabethsparks.org/ Latest book: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101234333-14076226?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.routledge.com%2FListening-The-Key-Concepts%2FParks-Faw-Lane%2Fp%2Fbook%2F9781032531847  Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Are you tired of being just another leader? Want to inspire your team, drive innovation, and build lasting relationships? The secret lies in a skill you may have overlooked: listening. Effective leadership often hinges on a surprising skill that can go unnoticed: listening. Raquel Ark shares that listening isn't just a soft skill; it's a powerful skill that can shape how you lead and influence. Imagine leading a team that's motivated, engaged, and full of ideas. Effective listening fosters trust, respect, and a positive work culture. It's can play an important role in increasing productivity and wellbeing for you and your team.  What if you could make better decisions, prevent explosive conflicts or manage tensions with more ease. Listening helps you connect with your team's needs, concerns, and aspirations, as well as your own. It's not just a skill; it's a superpower. Join Raquel as she explores the different types of power that listening can bring to leadership and everyday interactions, providing practical strategies to grow your listening superpower. "Listening is not just a soft skill. It's a power skill. It's a transformative force that shapes the way leaders like you, like me, connect, inspire, and lead." - Raquel Ark   Listening SUPERPOWER NOTES 00:10: Emphasizing the importance of listening as a transformative leadership skill. 01:28: The different types of power that listening can bring to leadership. 4:20: Discussion on the common undervaluation of listening in the business world compared to speaking, highlighting the impact of listening on effective leadership. 07:04: Presentation of research findings indicating a shift towards prestige-based leadership, which emphasizes listening and collaboration over autocratic dominance. 11:08: Conclusion on the significance of listening as a power skill that can transform organizations and drive sustained success, encouraging leaders to embrace listening in their practices.   Key Takeaways: "The true power of effective leadership lies in listening, which is often an overlooked skill or capacity that we have, or that's important to develop."- Raquel Ark   "When listening is brought into teams, those leaders are able to affect their teams in ways where they have more success and they feel better."  - Raquel Ark   "Listening is not just a tool. It's actually really cool. It's this high value currency that can transform organizations and really drive this sustained success."- Raquel Ark   "The leaders who listen are the ones who are going to lead us into the future."- Raquel Ark   Resources Mentioned:   Kluger, Avraham & Itzchakov, Guy. (2022). The Power of Listening at Work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior. 9. 10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-012420-091013 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prestige https://action.deloitte.com/insight/2358/prestige-leadership-is-no-magic-trick-its-a-key-to-effective-teams   Recommended Episodes about Leadership in tech Navigating Digital Change by Leaning Into Tech and Expanding a Human Touch with Agathe Daae-Qvale Listening to the Pulse in Leadership: Nourishing Realistic Expectations and Intentionally Catalyzing Employee and Team Growth with Clint Calleja #Listening to Create #Customer and #Business Value with Teresa Torres Dynamic Reteaming: Mastering Team Change for Excellence Using Your Listening Muscle with Heidi Helfand Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-ark-b2067613/ 

How can the power of empathy create deeper connections with others? And what are work hacks that create a safe space in teams? Sebastian Kremser is the host of Empathie Schenker, a podcast where he listens to guests with empathy and no judgment. Sebastian is a process facilitator who helps clients navigate dynamic and complex environments, addressing both current and future challenges. Known for his empathetic and needs-oriented approach, he creates space for individual and organizational needs while fostering awareness of personal responsibility and potential through structured process guidance. After 12 years in the military, Sebastian transitioned in 2013 to become a consultant and coach, focusing on supporting organizations ranging from hierarchical public institutions to agile, collaborative structures. He is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a licensed mediator with the German Mediation Association. His work has taken him to China and Kenya, and he is also an authorized process consultant for the "unternehmensWert: Mensch" program of the German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. In this episode, Sebastian shares his journey with empathy and listening, highlighting the power of self-empathy and creating space for others to shine. We dive deep into the importance of non-judgmental listening and how it can transform team dynamics and relationships. Sebastian's insights on self-awareness, shared leadership, and the magic of letting your light shine are truly inspiring. His perspective on creating a safe space for authentic communication and appreciation is a game-changer for building strong connections within teams and organizations. If you're looking to enhance your listening skills, gain a new perspective on empathy, or simply enjoy a thoughtful conversation, this episode is a must-listen. “...there's a difference between listening and being a listener." - Sebastian Kremser   SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:19 - From complexity to clarity: Sebastian discusses the journey from complexity to clarity in communication and the importance of listening to create understanding and connection. 08:43 - The power of nonviolent communication: Sebastian shares insights on the power of nonviolent communication in resolving conflicts and fostering understanding in teams and organizations. 11:33 - The alchemy of listening: Sebastian delves into the transformative power of listening, creating a space for empathy, understanding, and trust to flourish in interactions. 20:47 - The conversation highlights the impact of a lack of motivation in teams and the importance of addressing underlying issues to foster engagement and productivity. 23:31 - Flip-flopping topics in meetings: Sebastian discusses the strategy of addressing various topics in team meetings to ensure all voices are heard and to maintain focus and productivity. 40301 - The discussion centers on the transformative power of opening up and sharing vulnerabilities, leading to deeper connections, trust, and personal growth within teams and organizations. 42:43 - Embracing Each Other's Light: Sebastian shares insights on embracing and celebrating each other's unique strengths and qualities, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals can shine and contribute authentically. 46:42 - Just be you in the moment: The conversation concludes with a reminder to embrace authenticity and self-expression, encouraging individuals to be true to themselves and explore their unique contributions in every moment.   Key Takeaways: “If we listen to each other, we help the other person to get more clarity." - Sebastian Kremser "Being non-judgmental in listening is like opening a gate to deeper connections. It's the alchemy of empathy." - Sebastian Kremser   People Mentioned: Vera F. Birkenbihl - Famous German communication scientist and trainer   Connect with Sebastian Kremser: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-kremser Podcast: Empathie Schenker on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empathieschenker/id1598578900  https://in-teams.de/ueber-mich/   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Many organizations struggle to balance technical project demands with the human elements essential for successful change. This gap often leads to inefficiencies, low morale, and failed initiatives, despite thorough planning and structured processes. Ignoring the emotional aspects of teams prevents companies from unlocking their workforce's full potential. Integrating both technical and human sides of work, with a focus on consistent communication and emotional awareness, is crucial. Enabling this holistic approach helps organizations achieve dynamic processes that meet goals and foster a joyful, productive work environment. Agathe Daae-Qvale is an Integral Master Coach™ working in leadership development that focuses on both the human and tech sides of digital transformation. She works as a special advisor in the Norwegian public health care sector on new software technologies and their successful applications. In 2017, she founded TinkerBlue AS and later co-founded DoubleYou AS in an effort to unleash underused tech potential and skill sets among internationals in Norway. Agathe is proficient in industrial IT and process modeling and improvement, IT governance, IT strategy, IT operations, and product management. Her experience includes working with management consulting companies like EY, KPMG, and Sopra Steria. She has worked as a consulting director in the exhilarating growth phase of the industrial IT unicorn Cognite, which primarily focuses on industrial data and digitized product management. She has also served as Chief Development Officer for Cenium, responsible for product development and global distribution during the shift from local based to cloud based platform technology. ​In this episode Agathe shares insightful discussions on balancing the technical and human aspects of business, especially during times of change. She talks about her experiences and practical strategies for integrating emotional awareness into structured, technical environments. You'll also learn about the importance of consistent communication, the role of personal growth in effective change management, and how to motivate teams by recognizing and expanding their perceptions of possibilities.  "For change to happen, raise the awareness of possibilities --- that space of possibilities is crucial." - Agathe Daae-Qvale SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:21 - What she realized the time she first noticed the power of listening: It was not only about the words but very much about the sentiment and the capacity of both of us to open up for in that very moment  04:08 - What it means to be in a shared space: That moment when you are in a conversation; you're just completely paying attention to what's going on there  08:00 - The distinction between merely getting the work done and creating a meaningful, emotionally resonant shared space 17:10 - The crucial integration of human change management with technical change 21:21 - How creating a shared understanding and clear purpose within the organization is crucial for the successful adoption and implementation of new technologies and changes 25:16 - Here's how to achieve a shared understanding: The organization needs to be well aligned both vertically and horizontally. 29:07 - Achieve vertical and horizontal alignment in an organization: Important to give everyone a shared direction and the why as to what they're doing. 32:54 - What does effective change management require: In addition to communication, skill sets and competence in the company among coworkers and staff is super important. 37:56 - Making that lasting change and effect happen: Value, moral and a sense of entrepreneurship are also needed to make that lasting effect happen. 42:54 - Helpful tools for navigating change effectively: It's about listening to, first, myself and then start listening to others around me. 45:33 - Moving past the resistance in others: Have the respect for self and others and have them to focus on an outcome. 52:40 - Agathe's inspiring words: Keep opening up that space to keep expanding that shared space. Key Takeaways: "When we make change happen in technology, you can never go beyond what people actually perceive and what the masses perceive." - Agathe Daae-Qvale "I do think that the human side of change is not only a success factor, but it's a floor on which technical change stands most of the time." - Agathe Daae-Qvale "I do believe that the leadership is where to start [to get to that shared understanding] and then create an infrastructure and a team that can have the capacity and ability to make that happen, to follow up, to follow through with it." - Agathe Daae-Qvale "I realize that we all catch what we can according to our own skill sets, but if you want an organization to change the way they work or to change the products and services, it's super important to start with that education of people." - Agathe Daae-Qvale "The self is very often considered individual. If we are in a team, that sense of self, we can share that in a group. Then it becomes so much more powerful." - Agathe Daae-Qvale Notes/Mentions: Terri O'Fallon: https://www.terriofallon.com Robert Kegan:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kegan Connect with Agathe Daae-Qvale: Website: https://www.digitizedproductmanagement.com/about Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Do you find yourself struggling to navigate through the storms of life, both personally and professionally? It's easy to get lost amidst the distractions and challenges, leaving us feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. But there is a way to find clarity amidst the chaos: by listening to the voice of our own intuition and harnessing our inner strength to overcome any obstacle. Dubbed "the da Vinci of Visionary Leadership" by many leading authorities of our time, Oleg Konovalov is the author of *The Fisherman's Path to Leadership*, *The Vision Code*, *LEADEROLOGY*, *CORPORATE SUPERPOWER*, *ORGANISATIONAL ANATOMY*, and *HIDDEN RUSSIA*. Oleg sees every organization as unique and strongly believes that most leadership problems can be solved by shifting patterned paradigms and applying tailor-made solutions. He is on the Thinkers50 Radar, was shortlisted for the Leadership Award at Thinkers50 2021, is among the Global Gurus Top 30 in Leadership, and is the #1 Global Leading Coach (Marshall Goldsmith Thinkers50). In this episode, we explore the importance of creating value in business and how energy management often trumps time management. Oleg shares deep insights from his listening experiences and discusses the difference between inspiration and motivation. We also touch on 'cognitive distance' listening within parent-child dynamics, the concept of 'becoming the storm' to face challenges, and the distinction between wisdom and smartness. Join us as we journey through Oleg's wisdom, drawn from his book *The Fisherman's Path to Leadership*, and learn to celebrate moments of understanding and empowerment.   "You must listen to yourself first, not to your worries, but listen to your desires. Listen to what you can do. Listen to what you could reveal within your strengths, your superpower. Then you become stronger than this storm that you are facing now." - Oleg Konovalov SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:44 - That moment he first noticed the power of listening: When you're trying to understand who you are, you are listening to yourself. 04:25 - How valuable is feedback: It's not about what they will get, it's about what they will hear; how they will listen.  09:02 - A simple approach in life and business that always works for Oleg: Business is about creating value, not solving problems. 11:14 - Deep insights from Oleg's listening experiences 15:48 - Why it is all about energy management and not time management 19:31 - Differentiating inspiration from motivation and getting people to listen to you 23:06 - Understanding 'cognitive distance' listening and tying it to a parent-child relationship 29:59 - What it means to be 'becoming the storm' and not just facing the storm: You are stronger than the challenges that you are facing.  34:37 - What differentiates being wise from being smart:  Smartness is definitely not a superpower; wisdom is. 35:38 - Valuable nuggets from his book: The Fisherman's Path to Leadership 37:48 - Important questions to ask yourself and the cost of not listening well to yourself 43:10 - Celebrating significant moments of understanding and empowerment in life, regardless of specific dates or occasions. 45:23 - How we see each other's role means how we listen to each other 48:00 - Relevant question to ask of oneself: How to understand that you are really listening 50:20 - Deep thoughts on the idea of growth Key Takeaways: "If you are setting up a startup…the best way to find your best niche is to sit and listen to a market." - Oleg Konovalov  "You're learning to listen when you understand you know nothing." - Oleg Konovalov  "People that don't know where to go, they're not asking for feedback, they're already lost. But people who are clear where they want to be, they're asking for feedback and listening to it because it's very valuable for them." - Oleg Konovalov  "It's not a matter of how many things I could do, it's about how good I could do one or two things and putting all my effort, all my energy into it." - Oleg Konovalov  "If you are a source of energy, you're creating something tremendous, like a great vision, for business or personal life. And that vision inspires you in return and you inspire others." - Oleg Konovalov  "If a leader is a pretender, people feel that and they don't listen to him or their message." - Oleg Konovalov  "Don't listen to the threats; listen to your strengths." - Oleg Konovalov  "You are looking into what you can do, but the majority of people, unfortunately, are thinking about storms as an excuse not to do something." - Oleg Konovalov  "If I would love to be better as a personality, I must listen."- Oleg Konovalov  "Noise attracts attention, quiet voices open hearts. But you must be prepared for that quiet voice to listen to it." - Oleg Konovalov  Notes/Mentions: The Fisherman's Path to Leadership by Oleg Konovalov: https://www.olegkonovalov.com/author/ Connect with Oleg Konovalov:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-oleg-konovalov/ Website: http://olegkonovalov.com/   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

In the workplace, we encounter various personalities, some more challenging than others. Traits like narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy among colleagues or leaders can significantly impact workplace dynamics, leading to conflicts, manipulation, and toxicity within teams. Recognizing and understanding these traits can help you navigate such environments more effectively.   Meet our guest, Jon Gruda, a Professor in Organizational Behavior who specializes in anxiety, leadership, and personality research. He discusses how to identify characteristics of the Dark Triad and shares strategies on how to manage interactions with these individuals.   Jon Gruda is a lifelong learner with impressive credentials. He holds a PhD in Management from emlyon business school, a Doctorate in Psychology from Goethe University, and an MSc in Affective Neuroscience from Maastricht University, alongside several business and management degrees. Throughout his academic career, Jon has consulted organizational leaders and CEOs, and has taught over 10,000 students and early career executives across Europe.   Jon's mission is to advance the understanding of human behavior in organizations, helping individuals and teams achieve their potential and well-being. He has published over 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals and frequently contributes to various media outlets, sharing his expertise with a wider audience.   In this episode, we delve into the concept of the Dark Triad. Jon provides valuable insights into recognizing and navigating challenging personality traits such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy in the workplace. By shedding light on these traits and their potential impact on organizational dynamics, Jon offers strategies to identify such behaviors and build support networks within your workplace. He also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and proactive approaches to managing interactions with individuals exhibiting these traits, helping you thrive in complex work environments "Don't become the person that you don't want to be." - Jon Gruda SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:32 - That moment he noticed the power of listening: Talking to students and not just teaching, but having conversations. 01:42 - How listening impacts not just the mind but one's whole being 04:52 - One significant moment where a student shared a personal experience which became a driving force to do his work. 11:58 - Understanding the 'Dark Triad': Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy 21:50 - How to recognize narcissistic traits in the workplace and get them to listen: Structure team meetings to have a lot more prep time upfront 33:55 - Spotting manipulation and deceit and what you should do: Approach them with clear, logical arguments and past evidence 47:00 - Recognizing a psychopath and how to effectively deal with them 56:25 - Crucial points of concern for organization with individuals having 'dark traits'  59:00 - Helpful strategies you can employ across all these 'dark traits' 01:05:50 - The idea that everyone exhibits 'dark traits' and understanding that some score higher on these traits than others.  01:09:50 - What characterizes a machiavellian 01:12 :30 - How to get in touch with Jon Key Takeaways: "The only way to listen is to create an environment where people are actually willing to share." - Jon Gruda "If you want them to go with the decision that you want to make, that you know is the best decision for the team, then you need to highlight how this decision that you want the leader to take is mutually beneficial." - Jon Gruda "Choosing the right moment when to approach them [psychopath leader]. Look for moments when the leader is particularly receptive to your input, directly following a public success." - Jon Gruda "I don't necessarily agree with the phrasing, but it does resonate well when you're dealing with psychopaths: Be Machiavellian."- Jon Gruda "Listen to yourself. " - Jon Gruda "Pretty good advice that I've learned from clients and from executives that I had to deal with: build a support network." - Jon Gruda "Knowing why people do what they do in any given situation is really, really powerful because it makes you a better person." - Jon Gruda Notes/Mentions: Dark Triad by Jon Gruda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IFRqJon-bEhynUMhSBowdC78HA_gNHpw-7nKRKTwJ1g/edit Connect with Jon Gruda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongruda/ Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

It's easy to feel drowned out, overlooked, or even silenced amidst the clamor of opinions and power plays. But what if, amid this chaos, we dared to pause and embrace a far reaching act—the profound power of listening? Imagine a world where instead of engaging in heated debates, we develop genuine, attentive listening. Not merely hearing words, but understanding the deeper nuances of human interaction and connection, even when on the surface, it seems to be only about the money.  My guest on your SUPERPOWER listening podcast, Peter Yaholkovsky, has an extensive background in the linguistic foundations of trust and communication, having studied and worked with Dr. Fernando Flores since the 1980's and being certified by the Strozzi Institute as a Master Somatic Coach. Over the past three decades, Peter has coached families and executive teams in building and restoring trust. Prior to his consulting career,  Peter practiced Internal Medicine as a Board Certified Internist after graduating from Stanford University and UC Davis Medical School. His recently published book, Listening for Candor, illuminates a path for trust conversations by building a shared sense of what matters. Looking back, he sees the through-line is communication -- wrapping around trust as trust wraps around 'what really matters' -- which comes down to commitment and responsibility. He shares examples about how to deal with what matters to you, me, and us together. The question is: how do we build a ‘we' with substance?  In this episode, Peter shares how to pause and truly listen, recognizing what truly matters so that “we” can move forward and work together towards shared goals. . "Possibilities start taking shape, all built from what matters and what's important to pay attention to." - Peter Yaholkovsky  SUPERPOWER Notes: 02:25 - That moment he noticed the power of listening: In the early eighties when I became engaged with what communication is and the various commitments we make in speaking. 11:38 - What he would tell his younger self now as a medical practitioner back then. 17:18 - How listening interplays with power: Always listen for what matters. 26:16 - Consciously designing conversations: It is helpful to understand the difference between a statement of facts and an interpretation. 28:32 - How to argue with opinions: Find a way to move together into the future. 33:57 - Getting your voice heard amidst power plays: Get everybody lined up with what matters. 37:57 - Big difference between operational versus personal relationship 44:09 - Peter's inspiration to write his book, Listening for Candor 52:21 - Where you can get a copy of 'Listening for Candor' Key Takeaways: "Listening is not like an algorithm. It is a discovery of information that then makes a decision going this way or that." - Peter Yaholkovsky "Listening is connecting with the world,…the aspirations, the possibilities, the constraints of the other, and moving together to orient them for going forward." - Peter Yaholkovsky "When listening, I'm looking at the interplay of relationships, concerns, engagement, commitment, and what's the underlying overlying big deal, hardly ever spoken -- trust." - Peter Yaholkovsky "If you're listening for what matters and what matters is I protect myself, or what matters is I'm right. That's not headed for building trust." - Peter Yaholkovsky "Listening is not just receiving information. Listening is an engagement with the intention of another." - Peter Yaholkovsky Notes/Mentions: Listening for Candor: Building Trust in Relationships that Matter by Peter Yaholkovsky: https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Candor-Building-Relationships-Matter-ebook/ Connect with Peter Yaholkovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-yaholkovsky/ Website: https://www.peter-yaholkovsky.com/   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

How often do you catch yourself merely waiting for your turn to respond, not really noticing or even caring about what the other person is trying to communicate. This reactive mode of communication often stifles genuine expression, preventing us  from fully emptying our thoughts and emotions. Consequently, a lack of authentic listening extends to various facets of our lives, from family dynamics to professional environments, hindering meaningful connections and triggering misunderstandings. Author of Better Listening, Stan Slovin has worked over 30 years in the securities industry with individuals, families, and business owners as a financial professional with major national brokerage firms. Stan earned his bachelor of science degree in finance at the Champaign- Urbana campus of the University of Illinois. He also holds a Juris doctorate from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. Stan is actively involved in charitable organizations focusing on mental health and children with disabilities. He loves traveling and plays in a rock and roll band. Stan, his wife, and their two adult children are from the Chicago area.  In this episode, Stan talks about how empathy and genuine engagement can create safe spaces for authentic expression, both in personal relationships and professional environments. And he shares stories on how this paves the  way for more meaningful conversations and discussions. "When others see that you are listening, not only will they appreciate it but you'll appreciate that they appreciate it and you'll be happier." - Stan Slovin Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:30 - That moment he noticed the power of listening: I've recognized this my whole life with my parents, at school and in the area of sales and advisory. 01:56 - Stan's aha moment about listening: We are actually listening to respond versus listening to understand. 04:15 - What is so important about leadership: Great leaders are the best listeners. 06:15 - A different approach to listening brought about by change 09:08 - The need to shift from transactional to empathetic listening 14:00 - What helps to improve productivity and retention at work: Leaders have to enable their employees to give feedback. 17:21 - The premise behind the title of his book, 'Better Listening' 20:54 - Life experiences showing how important empathy is in listening 23:57 - What 'emptying of bucket' as a result of empathy all boils down to: Allowing a person to go deeper instead of a surface response. 26:28 - The 'golden ticket question' you can use at work: What is most important to you with regard to a relationship with working with X? 30:24 - What Stan wants to see in a podcast interview and what relationship he wants to have with the host: What's important to me are open-ended questions. 33:12 - A deeper message he wants to share in his book: I want relationships to be better in terms of respect, of being considerate of others. 36:51 - The importance of fostering better relationships through better listening. 40:14 - Stan's most encouraging parting words: We're all good listeners; but we could all be better listeners. Key Takeaways: "To be a good leader you have to be a good listener." - Stan Slovin "Why does a relationship leave? It was that they believed that you were not listening to them. you didn't have their best interest because you weren't hearing what they were saying. You were just always talking." - Stan Slovin "People are crying to be heard.They want others to listen to them." - Stan Slovin "Leaders don't have to change everything; they just have to tweak a little bit." - Stan Slovin "Everyone could be a better listener because what's missing in the conversation is that we're not allowing that empathy piece to really play a key role." - Stan Slovin "Empathy is key in listening." - Stan Slovin "They don't have to agree with the person that's talking, but they should at least pause and listen to hear. So that there is mutual respect and consideration so that the relationship.  Even though it may not come to an agreement, they could still remain being invited to the thanksgiving dinner." - Stan Slovin Notes/ Mentions: Better Listening by Stan Slovin: https://www.betterlisteningbook.com Connect with Stan Slovin: Website: https://www.betterlisteningbook.com Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

It's easy to overlook the power of listening to and reflecting on the pulse of the team, encouraging genuine connection and understanding. Before moving ahead towards our goals, why not take a moment to take a pulse of the collective team energy, ensuring alignment and fostering a more empathetic environment?    As the Director of Engineering at Hotjar, Clint Calleja leads the engineering teams for the core features tribes, overseeing the development and delivery of web applications that help over 900,000 websites in 180+ countries understand and improve their user experience. With more than 16 years of experience, he has a proven track record of aligning, inspiring, and enabling others to succeed through communication, coaching, mentoring, and empowerment.   He uses a people-first, servant leadership approach and a data-driven, outcome-oriented mindset to guide teams and the organization towards achieving their goals and vision. His mission is to leverage his expertise in web applications, software development, and engineering leadership to create value for Hotjar's customers, employees, and shareholders.   In this episode, Clint shares how embracing vulnerability isn't a weakness; it's a strength that deepens bonds and accelerates progress. Working for a remote and fully distributed company, he explains the challenges of written communication and how he listens and aligns understanding. He also shares practical tools he uses to listen to the pulse of his teams that might surprise you. Enjoy this very insightful and practical episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast.    “By slowing down, digesting communication, and leading with authenticity, we not only achieve lasting results but also cultivate a more humane and fulfilling experience for all involved."- Clint Calleja   SUPERPOWER Notes:   00:38 - The moment he first noticed the power of listening: When someone was seeing me as a human being, being part of a team of people rather than just an employee.    02:47 - Important perspective on this idea of 'bringing your whole self to work'   05:02 - His approach to leading a team: I listen and I try to navigate between how many solutions I try to provide versus how much coaching and questioning and just nudging.   08:18 - Start the day with a simple pulse: We need to start with setting our self expectations.   14:07 - It's okay to be vulnerable: The best way I can do that is to be transparent.   14:59 - What his younger self needs to know early on as he looks back in hindsight   15:53 - A coaching approach he uses to manage multiple teams: I'm going to make myself available, I'll be able to listen, and I'll be able to work with the individual.   20:45 - Tools he uses that supports listening even with people working remotely: What I found really helpful is journaling.   27:46 - How he organizes the observations he gathers from listening: It has to be quick; it's a simple checklist for tasks and a checklist for observations.   33:11 - Perspective on how to approach feedback: It is a mindset change.   35:51 - Examples of how he executes his feedback process   39:01 - Advice to young generation leaders: I like to personally focus more on growth rather than promotions.   45:54 - The challenge to listening to written communication: You don't have much visibility on the emotion    47:48  - Explaining the concept of JOMO [Joy of Missing Out]   49:30 - The wisdom you find in asking question when in doubt   52:28 - Clint's significant message: "...that investment overtime accrues to much quicker decision-making, much more empowered people growing into leads..."   Key Takeaways:   "Before we decide what we are trying to achieve today, before we understand how much time we have on the way, let's start with a simple pulse: green, yellow, or red." - Clint Calleja   "I keep reminding myself from time to time that it's okay to be vulnerable, especially with people you're working for." - Clint Calleja   "I feel I need to know much less than I expected myself to in order to help people grow." - Clint Calleja   "I apply the feedback on strengths that I observe, so it becomes more of an opportunity rather than a thing you're doing wrong." - Clint Calleja   "There's power through connecting with people." - Clint Calleja Notes/Mentions:   Obsidian: https://obsidian.md Connect with Clint Calleja:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callejaclint/   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Navigating leadership authentically and self-care is not a easy, especially when it seems like everything around you is “crashing down”.  Yet, what if this is an opportunity to find your purpose?   Discover the power of listening in purpose-lead leadership through this thought-provoking podcast episode.   Dive into a reflective conversation about the importance of being present, self-care, purpose, and trusting the process. Explore the journey of a working dad, leadership principles, and the impact of listening on personal and professional growth.   In this episode,you will enjoy listening to how Benjamin ‘Benni' Achenbach  has navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship.  He shares a story about how he learned to listen to his inner voice amidst a family crisis that wiped his slate clean.  Benni is a sports enthusiast, a proud father of three, and the vice President of People & Culture at Just Spices GmbH .   Benni shares his experience around heart led leadership and decision making. Not only do we talk about fostering inclusive workplace cultures, our conversation transcends business by exploring resilience, self-awareness,  and the pursuit of happiness.     Enjoy listening in.   "All leaders should be empathetic, and at the same time, capable of at least trying to actively listen” - Benjamin ‘Benni' Achenbach SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:22 - Raquel and Benni's post-Wim Hof Expedition chance encounter. Reflecting on a serendipitous meeting that sparked a unique friendship and a transformative journey towards active listening mastery 03:09 - Uncover the power of reflection and connection in anchoring transformative experiences through active listening and shared reflections 06:14 -  Explore the transformative power of active listening in personal growth and communication, leading to deeper connections and understanding in relationships. 10:28 - The backpack method for reflection, delve into the art of active listening and the power of silencing distractions to truly engage and connect with others. 11:57 - Intention setting and reflecting on daily actions, uncover the hidden truths behind common social interactions and the power of active listening in fostering genuine connections. 17:05 - Bennie's  journey to Vice President of People and Culture 20:09 - Overcoming family business challenges 29:04 - The role of reflection and falling forward in business 34:26 - Trusting the process and maintaining positivity 40:29 - Integrating listening into business practices, thoughts on being present, reflecting, and self-care 53:22 - How to connect with the Benni Achenbach Key Takeaways       "Try to be there for yourself because when you are there for yourself, you can also be caring for others."- Benni Achenbach   "Reflect about what you're doing every day, every second, every minute, every hour, the entire day, until your entire life is done."- Benni Achenbach   “Have a clear North Star for yourself and your team. It's about believing in the vision for the next five to ten years. For us at Just Spices, it's about going international and making cooking easier for our customers. This should be at the forefront of your mind. "- Benni Achenbach   on Listening “The more you are in the present moment and appreciate and be grateful for this journey in life, the more magical it can be." - Benni Achenbach Connect with Benni Achenbach: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Benni-achenbach-9922703/ Just Spices Website: https://www.justspices.de/  WorkingDad Podcast :https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/working-dad-podcast/id1479570002    Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Instagram: @listening_alchemy Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com      

Conflicts can cause major stress on your relationships and your wellbeing. And often it's hard to put your finger on what just happened or why the same thing keeps happening.    What if in that moment of chaos, when you feel overwhelmed or frustrated, listening could be your answer to breaking unhealthy communication patterns. In this episode of your listening SUPERPOWER podcast, we do a deep dive into how listening to our subconscious patterns and limiting beliefs can impact how we communicate at work and at home.     My guest Thais Gibson, the creator of the Gibson Integrated Attachment Theory™, gives us insight on how our subconscious patterns impact how we make meaning about ourselves and how this impacts how we communicate.    Her innovative framework unites traditional attachment theory, developmental psychology insights, and the potent subconscious reprogramming techniques.  She shares stories about how subconscious patterns can be managed for healthier relationships, and she gives us practical tips on expressing our needs, setting boundaries and on fostering connection.    Thais has nearly a decade of experience running a successful private practice. She also has a diverse experience in modalities such as CBT, NLP, somatic experiencing internal family systems and shadow work. And this has influenced the Personal Development School, which is her educational platform that integrates an innovative coaching training program, which is based on the integrated attachment theory framework. Enjoy this episode of your listening SUPERPOWER podcast where Thais shares frameworks that can help you notice how listening is impacted by your subconscious patterns and what can do about it, also in the business world.   Let's listen in.   A Gift from You from Thais and Raquel: Sign up for 40% off of the regular Personal Development School All Access Pass. Enroll through this link   listening SUPERPOWER notes: 03:18 - The power of listening in childhood and its impact on adulthood 04:38 - Coping with chaos through Listening 07:39 - Impact of childhood experiences. importance of being present and listening in relationships 09:13 - Healing through listening. The impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships 12:41 - Resolving conflict through understanding, strategies for validating feelings and resolving conflicts 15:11 - Uncovering underlying wounds. The stages of relationships and navigating through them, both at home and at work. 16:13 - Childhood roots of adult patterns 20:08 - Impact of past experiences on present reactions 21:40 - Overcoming fear of giving feedback 24:56 - Shifting subconscious behaviors 25:28 - Reflections on business growth. Applying techniques to help team members with core wounds in the workplace 29:15 - Building trust and relationships 40:29 - Empowering others through positive reinforcement, Thais recommended resources for personal development and daily content on YouTube   Key Takeaways:   "...the power of listening is something that not only calms people but helps…become a mirror into people as well." - Thais Gibson "(In conflict)...often we talk about superficial things. But if we get more present and we investigate a little bit further, it's really these underlying wounds that we're feeling."  - Thais Gibson "Hard things are there to actually level us up to the next stage of who we're about to become."  - Thais Gibson   Connect with Thais Gibson Website: https://university.personaldevelopmentschool.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePersonalDevelopmentSchool Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thaisgibson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepersonaldevelopmentschool/  Book: Learning Love: Build the Best Relationships of Your Life Using Integrated Attachment Theory https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Love-Relationship-Integrated-Attachment/dp/B0CFGFV5CH?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=learning-love&utm_id=learning-love  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thais-gibson-4543ba190/    Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com IG Listening_Alchemy

Imagine sitting in a chair looking into a camera and being seen in a new way that feels like complete belonging.  And even though it's new, it's like it has always been there. It's always been you.   Our guest filmmaker Nic Askew, shares a simple, yet profound way to experience listening, and his method may surprise you.  He is the creator of Soul biographies, which includes the search for the Soul of America.  His unique interview method is a profound way to witness the human soul. This is an experience where you feel interconnected, belonging and have conscious insight. Nic shares his stories about how he uses film and works with individuals and groups. Nic describes his work…“so that we might see ourselves reflected in each other so that we might see beyond all differences, so that we might come to remember that we belong to each other without condition, and act accordingly.” Enjoy listening to this unique episode where we dive into nothingness so that something can emerge.   “The business of a witness, we might call it a listener as well, is really not to get in the way. And it starts with nothing, no- thing, no act on your part. And then let the experience just happen.” - Nic Askew SUPERPOWER Notes:   02:39 - That moment he discovered the power of listening: Everything starts out of silence   11:10 - Expounding on the misconception about the nature of connectedness   16:06 - Giving yourself permission to simply be and embracing nothingness and just letting the experience happen   21:01: Getting to notice the experience of the absence of one's action: It sets a course of change which you can't unset.   28:53 - What it is like experiencing someone without doing anything   37:47 - How deep listening happens from a clear space    41:25 - Personal experiences of having something emerge out of doing nothing   46:15 - The simplicity of being present and the potential for profound change that arises from this state.   55:26 - Connect with Nic Askew Key Takeaways:   "The experience of this person, the experience of anyone you care to sit with or be with is best finding you, not you it." - Nic Askew   "Connectedness just exists. It's there to be experienced. And the way to experience it is nothing in the way." - Nic Askew   "Most people, I think, are driven by this deep sense of wanting to belong, wanting to be a part of it. And it drives us to pretty much live our lives doing certain things But the irony is that in the realm of the interior world, there is no working towards. Only "Just IS". You are just a part of it. We are connected. You belong. There was never any condition." - Nic Askew   Notes/Mentions:   Albert Einstein:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein Ramana Maharshi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramana_Maharshi   Connect with Nic Askew:   Website: https://soulbiographies.com/about/                           https://nicaskew.com/   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

It's easy to lose touch with our true selves in a world that constantly bombards us with external noise and expectations. We often find ourselves seeking validation and approval from others, forgetting that the most important voice to listen to is our own. Revealing our identities and embracing our unique qualities can be a transformative experience. It's about recognizing that we don't need to add anything or strive to be something we're not. We already are 100% enough, just as we are.  So why do we hesitate? Why do we hold back from presenting our authentic selves to the world? Perhaps it's the fear of judgment or the belief that we're still lacking in some way. But the truth is, we don't need anything else. We have everything we need within us to shine brightly. Dr. Katja Brunkhorst is a Human Disco Ball, with the following facets of serious serial expertise: Writer | Coach | Yoga Teacher | Punk Rock Philosopher | Personal Branding Strategist | Founder of Bright Idea, the agency for authentic communication & creative consulting. Her zone of genius is short-form poetic profitable prose for women entrepreneurs who want to move the world with moving words. In this episode, Katja helps us explore the power of self-listening and the journey towards self-acceptance. Embark on a path of self-discovery, where you'll learn to trust yourself, honor your truth, and live authentically. "Trust yourself; listen to yourself from the beginning, because, otherwise, you'll just spend your whole professional career trying to get rid of unnecessary layers." - Katja Brunkhorst   SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:44 - That moment she discovers the power of listening: In my family, I very much remember not being listened to; the realization that people need to listen to each other for the world to thrive.  02:13 - How her experience of not being listened to made her hide her true self 05:39 - The empowering spirit that comes when you feel listened to even when you are silent 06:16 - How two people can connect deeply, not necessarily verbally: Making music with other people, through the sounds, I think you can communicate and hear each other on a deeper level. 08:18 - Attributing to the sound side of yoga in finding her new identity: To sing a mantra together, combining it with a certain intention, and sometimes as simple as just a certain hand movement. 11:37 - Experiencing the fear of not being listened to 14:02 - Discussing the case of a “not listening mom”: The trick is to try and let go of that good girl, people-pleasing, perfectionist side. 16:41 - How to start listening: Listen to yourself. 21:12 - Writing techniques to get you into the natural flow of doing it 23:35 - Another writing technique she recommends: Recollection in Tranquility 30:35 - A mantra you can use cutting through the fear of not being promoted or not being seen and appreciated for your good deeds 34:07 - One significant melodious message Katja shares: Follow the joy.   Key Takeaways: "The voice is the most personal part of us; there resides your personality." - Katja Brunkhorst "To be really able to listen, you have to have someone who is very safe and secure in themselves." - Katja Brunkhorst "Listen to yourself. In order to write well, and write copy or books or any sort of text that connects, you need to first connect with you again." - Katja Brunkhorst "My claim has always been revealing identities. I don't want you to add anything that you think you're still missing or think you're still not good enough."  - Katja Brunkhorst "This is a message from a Yoga philosophy, "You are exactly as you are; already 100% enough." - Katja Brunkhorst “You can just be you and literally present that to the world. You don't need anything else. This is going to make your life much, much easier and your success to come along much, much, much faster. Other than spending the rest of your life unlearning and stripping off and revealing." - Katja Brunkhorst Notes/Mentions: Confessions of an English Opium-Eater: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessions_of_an_English_Opium-Eater   Connect with Katja Brunkhorst: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bright_idea_kat/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bright-idea-katja-brunkhorst/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wortdompteurin/?ref=hl   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Are you ready to take your organization to the next level? When you decide to shift your time and resources towards systems, tools and processes for organizational listening to effectively listen to stakeholders, you will have impressive benefits that may surprise you. Be the pioneer.   Jim Macnamara, a pioneer in listening research and Distinguished Professor of Public Communication in the School of Communication at the University of Technology Sydney, returned to your listening SUPERPOWER Podcast to share incredible insights from his latest book, "Organizational Listening II: Expanding the Concept, Theory, and Practice," published by Peter Lang.   Jim Macnamara is internationally recognized as a leader in evaluation of public communication and for his pioneering studies into organizational listening. He is the author of 16 books and almost 100 book chapters and journal articles and a sought-after keynote speaker. In this episode, Jim discusses the surprising lack of listening from governments and organizations, particularly towards employees and marginalized communities. He highlights the importance of listening at scale, as well as to the silent voices.  Jim also explores the importance of organizational listening in driving better engagement, trust, and innovation. He shares examples of companies that have successfully implemented listening practices, such as employee-designed products and customer councils. Contrary to the misconception that listening requires more time and resources, Jim explains that organizations can achieve better results by reducing excessive information output and talking and instead focusing on effective listening. He emphasizes the benefits of listening, including improved employee retention, productivity, and reputation. Throughout the episode, Jim emphasizes the communicative act of listening and the consequences of not listening. He encourages leaders to prioritize listening and engage in true consultation with employees and stakeholders. To learn more about organizational listening, you can check out Jim Macnamara's new book, "Organizational Listening: Expanding the Concept, Theory, and Practice," published by Peter Lang. "Listening is not just a passive waiting time, it is a communicative act. And not listening is a communicative act as well." - Jim Macnamara SUPERPOWER Notes:   00:03:04 - Jim Macnamara discusses his research and the surprising lack of listening during the COVID-19 pandemic and the disappointment in the lack of change in organizations and governments. 00:06:33 - The importance of listening in organizations and the need for leaders to understand the needs and perspectives of their employees and customers. 00:08:42 - Introduction to Jim Macnamara 's new book, "Organizational Listening 2: Expanding the Concept, Theory, and Practice," which includes new research and contributions from other academics in the field. 00:13:57 - The challenge of listening to a large number of stakeholders and the need for outreach and engagement with diverse groups. 00:18:14 - Examples of organizations that have successfully implemented listening practices, such as innovation competitions and customer councils. 00:20:38 - The misconception that listening is a burden or cost for organizations, and the need to shift the focus to the benefits and opportunities it brings. 00:29:09 - Addressing the time and resource concerns of implementing listening practices by reducing ineffective communication and substituting it with listening efforts. 00:32:22 - The sliding scale of listening and communication, with the understanding that there are times when transmitting information is necessary, but overall, communication should involve listening and exchange. 00:35:25 - The communicative act of not listening and the importance of listening in building relationships and trust. 00:35:48 - The concept of organizational listening and the need for systems, tools, and processes to effectively listen to stakeholders. 00:38:44 - Connect with Jim Macnamara  and where to find his book, "Organizational Listening 2: Expanding the Concept, Theory, and Practice." Resources mentioned: Book: "Organizational Listening 2: Expanding the Concept, Theory and Practice" by Jim Macnamara International Academic Publisher: Peter Lang Publishers Jim's first Listening Superpower Interview: Impacting the #BottomLine through #Scaling #OrganizationalListening with Jim Macnamara   Key Takeaways: "Stop doing some of the things you're doing that are ineffective and replace them with efforts at listening. Listening is communication." - Jim Macnamara  "Organizational listening is not a burden or a cost, it is a major opportunity for better engagement, trust-building, and financial success." - Jim Macnamara  "Communication is about imparting and sharing information, it's about community and exchange. Listening is the key to true communication." - Jim Macnamara  "To truly listen, organizations must go beyond selective listening and engage in outreach, actively seeking diverse perspectives and voices." - Jim Macnamara  Connect with Jim Macnamara  Linkedin Twitter Email: jim.macnamara@uts.edu.au   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations are constantly seeking innovative ways to adapt and thrive. One key aspect that cannot be overlooked is the power and influence of peer-to-peer networks.  These networks, consisting of smaller tribes within an organization, have the potential to shape the course of change and drive transformative outcomes. Trust and communication are foundational elements.  According to our guest, Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard, you need to find the 3% of employees that influence 90% of potential success. And you will be surprised at who has the most influence in your organization. But how can we tap into this hidden force and engage the influencers within these tribes to become true changemakers? Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard helps bold leaders succeed with change through change analytics and organizational network analysis. At Innovisor, their aim is to move their portfolio of services towards prescriptive analytics with the ultimate objective to eliminate change failure. In this episode, Jeppe discusses breaking through hierarchical barriers of communication and listening by understanding peer-to-peer networks. Activating and engaging the 3% provides a successful path for implementing change. ""If we really want to succeed with a change, I have this saying: 'Done by the people, or done with the people beats done to the people.'"." - Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard  SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:24 - What Jeppe discovered as he noticed the power of listening: Introverts had more influence than others which is counterintuitive. 02:15 - Understanding the influence of introverts: Insights from a recent study 04:45 - Who is having influence: People that are good listeners, it's the introverts that have the influence. 05:57 - What changed in him after discovering this truth about listening: I don't think you can succeed with change in any way unless you engage the informal networks in an organization. 07:14 - Finding the right 3% to influence 90% of employees and engaging them: That's where understanding the peer to peer network is key. 13:49 - Making sense of the concept of co-creation in the change-making process 15:04 - Explaining peer-to-peer listening as a feedback channel and 'iceberg of ignorance' model 17:19 - One key trick to do when not using people's feedback: When people have given you feedback, and if you're not going to use it, tell them why you're not using it.  18:03 - How leaders can listen better when they work remote: Walk, Call, and Email. 19:41 - Why he's not in favor of active listening 21:22 - Jeppe shares his listening style and how to know you are asking stretching questions or putting people in boxes 24:07 - The value of pauses when talking: Use those breaks to your advantage; it will make you look competent and trustworthy. 25:25 - How to listen and ask questions without being self-serving: Making sure you use open-ended questions that invite people to reflect. 27:14 - Most surprising influential person when working with a client on organizational change. 30:05 - How they activated this influential person to co-create organizational change. 35:07 - Jeppe describes his book, 'Another Change Fiasco!'  36:07 - Discussion about this quote 'done by the people, or done with the people beats done to the people' 38:25 - The support technology provides in data collection to enable change to happen 40:16 - Designing your change program according to what blocks their success 42:04 - Why you should always ask and not presume you know everything Key Takeaways: "Listen three times. You need to listen, listen and listen. Because that's the way you build trust." - Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard  "Being in motion is a good idea. So walking is good because when you walk, you can actually suddenly stay silent or you can watch a bird, and that's okay. Whereas if you sit in a meeting with a table in between, one is a leader, the other one an employee, then you have already created a barrier. You want to get rid of the barriers."- Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard  "The top level of an organization only knows 4% of the problems their people face. The middlemen, they know about 9%. But the people at the frontline, the ones out there in the organization, they know 100%." - Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard  "The best clients have realized…connecting to those people at the frontline and listening to them… (helps) build or design something that actually makes sense and works." - Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard  "One of the things that I do as a leader is that I always speak last. So if we have meetings, I stay quiet." - Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard  Notes/Mentions: Another Change Fiasco! Now What by Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard: https://www.innovisor.com/resources/ Abraham Lincoln:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/trust-barometer Connect with Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard: Website: https://www.innovisor.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeppehansgaard/ Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com  

Undoubtedly, AI has made significant contributions to various aspects of human life by automating countless tasks and eliminating the need for extensive manual labor.  However, a notable challenge arises as AI replaces the human workforce in many companies, resulting in a decline in human interaction skills.  This raises the question of whether life is becoming too monotonous. In this AI-dominated world, where can listening find its place when challenges are minimized? Niels Van Quaquebeke is an organizational psychologist based in Hamburg, Germany. He is recognized as one of the Top100 German-speaking business scholars under 40 (Handelsblatt). He is the recipient of multiple awards for his teaching and is frequently featured in public media.  In this episode, Niels explores how we can coexist with AI. Despite its incredible potential to transform various aspects of life, it is crucial to recognize the power of human communication and the ability to overcome challenges through human-to-human interaction and listening. "The [ AI response] makes for a very enjoyable interaction where you don't feel stupid, you don't feel misunderstood. You feel somebody else is taking the time and somebody else actually communicates in a way with you that you understand. And you also feel seen." -  Niels Van Quaquebeke SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:02 - What Niels focus is now: I'm very interested now on how our relationships are formed, not only with each other through technology, but also with us AND technology. 02:02 - The Eliza Program and its Implications in human-AI interaction 03:32 - Paying attention to the Now, New, and Next of our relationship with technology 11:40 - How has AI helped people in communication and listening: "AI just has that patience to do it. And listening does require patience and AI has potentially all that processing power to listen to every nuance." 14:31 - The opportunities AI has afforded humans 20:02 - How AI has removed the social layer that hinders many of us to achieve certain things 28:51 - How to not live a boring life despite AI's advancement: Celebrate the human life that we have with each other and start building communities. Be more deliberate with how we interact with each other. Key Takeaways: "Listening is not just hearing, but also trying to understand." -  Niels Van Quaquebeke "When trying to understand, we're also not islands. We are connected to other sense-making systems that help us." - Niels Van Quaquebeke "AI just has that patience to do it. And listening does require patience and AI has potentially all that processing power to listen to every nuance."-  Niels Van Quaquebeke "AI has the response resources at its disposal. It's not necessarily biased in one way, but it really has a whole bouquet of responses, how it can interact with you." -  Niels Van Quaquebeke "The [ AI response] makes for a very enjoyable interaction where you don't feel stupid, you don't feel misunderstood. You feel somebody else is taking the time and somebody else actually communicates in a way with you that you understand. And you also feel seen." -  Niels Van Quaquebeke "There's a lot of human potential in interacting with AI in the future that is yet to come."-  Niels Van Quaquebeke "I find it so interesting that we spend hours and hours pondering how to best prompt an AI; if we would spend the same hours and hours to think about how we could best have a conversation with another person just imagine the potential we could unleash between two people." -  Niels Van Quaquebeke   "We spend hours pondering how to best prompt an AI; if we would spend the same hours to think about how we could best have a conversation with another person just imagine the potential we could unleash between two people." -  Niels Van Quaquebeke Notes/Mentions: Eliza Program: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELIZA Khan Academy: https://blog.khanacademy.org/learner-khanmigo/ Niel's Interview: Leaders and Asking Questions: The Surprising Discovery of What Is Needed to Find Solutions and Build Relationships with Niels Van Quaquebeke Connect with Niels Van Quaquebeke:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quaquebeke X: https://twitter.com/NielsQuaquebeke   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

 In this episode of the Listening Superpower Podcast, we're joined by Nanna Holst to delve into how the media landscape's evolution, driven by new platforms, shifting consumption, and AI advancements, is swamping audiences with more information, but not necessarily more insight. We discuss how traditional media must transform, using active listening and engagement to stay pertinent as a bridge between the public and those in authority, as outlined in her insightful report. (Link below) Nanna Holst is an experienced journalist, editor and project manager with a demonstrated history of working in the media production industry. Skilled in Making People Reach Their Potential, Co-creation, Public Outreach, News Writing, Breaking News, Video Journalism, Journalism, Editing and Television. She is into teaching and coaching of young journalists, a strong program and project management professional based on constructive, solution based journalism and a strong sense of public service and democratic values. She is a graduate from the Danish National School of Journalism and Aarhus Business School. Also a Fellow from Constructive Institute at Aarhus University, developer of The Better Listening Method and helping news organizations listen better to their audiences. Also she is a keynote speaker. In this episode, Nanna explores the power of collective intelligence listening. She shares stories and examples of a new initiative called Better Listening for Journalists which engages the community into their journalistic process. By actively listening to and asking for thought-provoking questions, this approach not only strengthens relationships but also promotes better collaboration and a more harmonious society. "If we want to stay relevant in a world where everybody can be their own media, we have to know what is expected of us and what we can help them with to make everybody wiser and everybody happier and have this unity." - Nanna Holst   SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:33 - That moment she noticed the power of listening: I was forced to train my listening skills at a very early age because I'm the little sister in a very talkative family. I had to listen very carefully to know where I can dive into the conversation and get heard. 04:12 - How has her view of listening changed through the years 05:18 - A journalistic way of listening versus listening to understand 06:11 - Establishing a concept program called Better Listening: We want to listen more actively and systematically 08:04 - Finding out the 'why of listening' for 'Better listening' 09:02 - What the whole 'Ask Us' method encapsulates 12:04 - The idea of collective intelligence in listening: It starts with the questions, but when we publish an answer, people chip in with their knowledge. 13:07 - Questions that fosters better communication, cooperation, and understanding  17:26 - Transparency involved in the answers written: If we can't get a perfect answer, we say, this is as far as we get, but does anybody out there know anything? 18:40 - 4 points that helps Better Listening listen better: Listen first, showing everyday humility, trust in the population, listen up 22:25 - Why listen. Not just for the checklist, but to really understand: You have to find out why you are listening, what do you want to get out of it, and what are your resources. 25:07 - What leaders should know about sustained listening in their organizations 28:11 - The inspiration behind the articles written: We could see that our engagement grew when we found a way to put a question formula and a ballot in each and every article. 30:08 - What has changed in her now doing Better Listening: I have known a little about a lot. 32:35 - Distinguishing between hearing and listening 33:29 - The dream she has for her legacy media in the next five years  35:36 - How she makes listening sustainable for her: I like to have markers everywhere that reminds me of this huge 'Why'. Key Takeaways: "...You can listen in a thousand ways. It's like a car that has movable parts. You can just adjust them in many different ways." - Nanna Holst “Listen first, show everyday humility, trust in the population, and listen up.” - Nanna Holst “...the missing link between wanting to listen and actually listening is some sort of method that keeps us on track, and make us work smart and not do the things that do not work.”- Nanna Holst “Listening is a skill. It's something that can be trained and we can learn it. “- Nanna Holst "Listen first. Keep focus on the audience. Trust in the population. Constantly learn and improve. These are the keys to better listening." - Nanna Holst   Notes/Mentions: Better Listening Report: https://constructiveinstitute.org/app/uploads/2023/07/Nanna-Holst.pdf KQED Media: https://www.kqed.org   Connect with Nanna Holst: Website: https://www.nannaholst.dk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanna-holst   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Politics is often described as a tough world to be in, filled with heated debates and difficult conversations. Navigating through these challenging situations can be a daunting task. However, there is a key element that plays a vital role in this process - that is listening. Our guest on the listening SUPERPOWER podcast, Matt Krayton is the Founder of Publitics, a public affairs, political, PR and strategy consultancy. He provides counsel to campaigns, candidates, elected officials, executives, founders, organizations and brands. Most recently, Matt worked with Biden for President on special projects including having helped create the viral "We Just Did" hat and collateral for endorsements including NBA star Ben Simmons. His work on the campaign was recognized with a Campaigns and Elections Magazine Stanley F. Reed Award. He is currently an adjunct professor in Centenary University's Business Department, teaching in their first-of-its-kind social media program. Prior to founding Publitics, Matt worked at Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind Poll and later taught a freshman seminar for political science students and in the Law in the Liberal Arts program as an adjunct instructor. In this episode, Matt sheds light on the importance of listening and digging down deep to break barriers to truly understand what lies beneath the surface. In so doing, one becomes a credible messenger of the message that can help foster effective dialogue and make a meaningful impact. He also shares lessons learned from running his own business, highlighting how active listening enables valuable feedback that contributes to the team's growth and business development. “The strength of any message is built on the ability to understand your audience. " - Matt Krayton Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:22 - Recalling that moment when he realized the power of listening 05:46 - How Matt's choice to listen helped in a heated discussion: It allowed this person to process what they were feeling and see the bigger picture and view me as a credible partner in helping with a communication issue. 09:47 - A client-focused approach that Matt has adopted: The first thing that we do as opposed to offering our take on it is we ask, “What do you think is the problem?” And we listen. 11:52 - Expounding on 'deep canvassing' in listening and its impact on hot topics and potential voters. Also, how this tool could support stakeholder communication.  17:43 - Listening from his point of view: It's both taking things to a new level, and also building a strong enough foundation to stand on while you're having difficult conversations. 18:44 - Scenarios where listening helps make a strong foundation for more opportunities to happen 24:27 - What makes him drawn to challenging work: The most challenging situations are oftentimes the most interesting situations to me. 27:55 - Lessons learned from running his own company that relates to the value of listening 35:40 - What does communication and the work process look like within Matt's team and how does this impact the business culture? 40:33 - Listening as digging down deep: It is understanding that the first thing you hear from someone isn't always the thing that's at the core of what you're trying to get to.  Key Takeaways: "If you think that someone fundamentally cannot understand you, then you're going to have a hard time taking advice from that person because it feels so out of the realm of your experience. That credibility is so important when you're trying to deliver a message." - Matt Krayton "[Listening] It's really just like building that foundation and making sure that's very strong so that you can jump off of it."- Matt Krayton "I've tried to be very transparent about the challenges that I've faced growing as a manager, growing a business. I think that has helped opened the door to feedback solicited and unsolicited from the team."- Matt Krayton "It's not about being right. It's about getting to the right answer."- Matt Krayton "You have to have that humility to know that you're not always going to have the right answer, but you have to be committed to getting to the right answer."- Matt Krayton "Just beneath the surface of whatever presentation, emotionally or from a communications perspective, there's a lot of nuance in how people feel about particular issues. Digging into that is extraordinarily important in being able to break down the barriers that stand between you and whatever endpoint you're looking to get to."- Matt Krayton "If you can be a credible messenger and develop that credibility through listening and empathy, then I think you're going to be in a much better position."- Matt Krayton Connect with Matt Krayton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkrayton Website: https://www.publitics.com/  Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Listening is a powerful skill that can transform our interactions and relationships. It opens up doors to deeper understanding, connection, and empathy and ultimately cultivates something equally valuable, and that is humility. Michal Lehmann is a post-doctoral researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, focused on exploring the intricacies of humility from a dyadic perspective. Her research delves into the causes, outcomes, and boundary conditions of virtues in the workplace, with a special emphasis on how humility can enhance one's understanding of people from diverse backgrounds. She is the lead author of a paper about dyadic humility among co-workers published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, as well as a paper about listening as an intervention to increase humility published in the Journal of Positive Psychology. In this episode, Michal explores the power of listening at a dyadic level. By emphasizing the importance of listening, team members can uncover better ideas and contribute to improved performance. This, in turn, fuels the success of the organization and enhances its bottom line results. "When someone listens really, really well, but truly and authentically well, they become part of another person's story." - Michal Lehmann SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:36 - What was it like for Michal to notice the power of listening 02:48 - The significance of her father's act of listening with her. 03:33 - How she got into research in the listening space 08:33 - Listening to your spark: It's like the scent of spring, of blossoms that when I feel I found something interesting. 11:02 - Two questions she focused on in her research about humility at work: What could increase humility between two people? Once I am humble in the presence of another person, how will that affect this other person at work? 13:53 - Humility taking place in a dyadic relationship  16:04 - How listening contributes to humility: We found that listening helps create humility for both partners, for the speaker and the listener.  16:59 - Two main components of literature that explains why listening makes people more humble: Internal complexity and external complexity 20:25 - Conducting experiments in different courses and coming up with interesting findings 22:19 - Recommendations on how to develop humility among team members 24:51 - Intellectual humility as it relates to empathy 27:10 - Measuring emphatic accuracy 28:25 - How to increase intellectual humility: Making them realize that we don't know everything and we could make mistakes.  30:55 - Benefits of cultivating intellectual humility in an organization: Productivity will increase and bottomline will also do much better 31:34 - Checking on her very own intellectual humility and what negative connotation people have with listening 36:08 - What she wants to achieve more in terms of listening: I would like to find more ways to make connections between science, research findings and the field. Key Takeaways: "Humility is particularly important because…you cannot be humble without another person. Humility is something that is perceived in the context of other people." - Michal Lehmann "It [listening] helps equalize things and it helps both partners to become more humble, but more so for the listener." - Michal Lehmann "When you truly listen to another person…you…merge with the other person. That's the strongest way to realize that you're not the center of the world and that you are part of something bigger. That is why when people listen, they become more humble, because they have the understanding that they're part of something more complicated, more complex." - Michal Lehmann "I think that leaders should let coworkers work on projects in dyads (pairs). Because we know there are some very important processes happening at that dyadic level and that might improve performance of the team." - Michal Lehmann Notes/Mentions: Ep. 60 Avi Kluger: https://listeningalchemy.com/listening-superpower/definition-of-listening-based-on-science-with-dr-avi-kluger/ Bradley Owens and David Hekman: https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amj.2013.0660 Connect with Michal Lehmann: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michal-lehmann-74aa705/ Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Let's go back the memory lane and look back at how this podcast started. The podcast started as "Listen In" but evolved into the Listening Superpower podcast to explore the impact and importance of listening. Over the course of the podcast's three-year run, Raquel has engaged in conversations with experts and individuals from various fields, all centered around the topic of listening.  In this episode of the Listening SUPERPOWER Podcast, Raquel reflects on the evolution of the podcast and its focus on the topic of listening. She shares her initial intention of capturing conversations with amazing people about the importance of listening in various aspects of life.  Raquel discusses how the podcast has helped her learn and grow, and her desire to share these insights with the public. She talks about her journey of getting used to having her voice out in public and the decision to change the podcast's name from "Listen In" to the "Listening Superpower Podcast." Raquel explains that the podcast explores the power and impact of listening, both in positive and negative ways. She emphasizes that listening is not just about being passive, but also about active engagement, challenging each other, and asking questions. The episode concludes with Raquel's thoughts on the podcast's purpose, which is to inspire new ideas and perspectives through listening.  Raquel expresses her curiosity about further exploring the integration of listening and speaking in communication to have a greater impact in daily life.   "Integrating listening intentionally in communication can lead to greater impact and productivity." - Raquel Ark   Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 02:23 - Exploring the Depth of Listening: Discover how the podcast evolved from "Listen In" to the Listening Superpower Podcast, diving into the impact and importance of listening in various aspects of life and work. 05:12 - The Challenge of Herding Cats in a Listening Project: Learn about Raquel's experience in a listening project where the abundance of ideas and perspectives made it challenging to focus on a single prototype. 08:01 - Planning a Convention with a Listening Approach: Explore how Raquel applied a listening approach to planning a convention, empowering team members to take ownership and make decisions collaboratively. 11:11 - Active Listening and Collaboration: Understand the misconception that listening is passive and discover how active listening, challenging each other, and open conversations can lead to better collaboration and outcomes. 14:01 - Inspiring New Ideas and Perspectives: Learn how the Listening Superpower Podcast aims to inspire listeners by sharing stories and conversations that can change perspectives and create personal growth. 16:23 - Exploring Listening Alchemy: Delve into the concept of listening alchemy and its potential to transform challenging conversations into valuable insights and outcomes, and the intention to integrate listening intentionally in communication. Key Takeaways: "Once you start paying attention, listening is everywhere." "Listening Alchemy is about transforming messy conversations into valuable insights." "Integrating listening intentionally in communication can lead to greater impact and productivity."   Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-ark-b2067613/       

How can listening help organizations have impact on critical global issues, while understanding and acting upon local needs? This tension is the space our next guest leans into in order to understand the real needs and potential. Jeff Hoffman is a Proven Public Affairs executive for The Walt Disney Company, the world's most storied and admired media and entertainment enterprise. He currently leads The Conference Board's Institute on Corporate Citizenship & Philanthropy, part of the ESG Center. He manages his own firm specializing in global corporate citizenship, ESG (environmental, social and governance), sustainability, philanthropy, and cause marketing.  In this episode Jeff discusses the transformative power of offering a listening ear, which brings about magical experiences that enriches individuals' lives and has positive effects on their company and the community they're a part of. He also shares how he has navigated failures, challenges and successes, where listening or not listening well has played a role. Understand better how to have a bigger impact on global issues, yet adjust to the nuances of local needs. "The important thing about listening is also to understand what you're hearing… really try to pull the facts out of what you're listening to." - Jeff Hoffman Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:33 - That time he experienced the power of listening by giving the people he talked to a magical listening experience 03:36 - What he realizes about the power of listening. 06:00 - Describing the corporate culture at Disney: You want your cast member to be the best and to bring out the richness of their own experiences into their role within the company. 12:13 - Understanding and recognizing everyone's differences: You have to understand where you are and what the needs are, and the differences. 20:35 - How he engages with the communities he serves in a manner that creates a powerful impact on them. 26:20 - Serving together to be effective: Habitat for Humanity International has done an amazing program where you can have volunteers volunteering with the people who are going to live in that home. 29:07 - Neighboring over volunteering 30:24 - Achieving the United Nations Sustainability Goals: It's all about coming together in community and collaboration and service. 35:32 - One important insight to understand about listening Key Takeaways: "... to understand differences, you need to talk to people, but you really need to listen and understand what they're saying."  - Jeff Hoffman "We don't do a lot of telling now. We ask a lot of questions because we want you to tell us. We know (listening) is going to be more effective. And we're seeing that effectiveness where programs today are based on a lot of input from the people who are being served." - Jeff Hoffman Notes/Mentions: Episode 66 with Mary Alice Arthur: https://listeningalchemy.com/allgemein/a-journey-into-the-power-of-storytelling-with-mary-alice-arthur/https://listeningalchemy.com/allgemein/a-journey-into-the-power-of-storytelling-with-mary-alice-arthur/ Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ Connect with Jeff Hoffman:    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoffmanjeffrey/   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Storytelling has captivated humanity since the beginning of time. It has the unique ability to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions, and convey powerful messages. But storytelling is not just about entertaining and fascinating us; it is also about listening. By truly engaging with a story, we can gain deeper insights into ourselves and others, foster empathy, and broaden our perspectives. Mary Alice Arthur is a Story Activist working with story in service of positive systemic shift and for focusing collective intelligence on critical issues. She guides people to find and activate the story that will take them into a larger and more authentic future. With story as an ally, people become the visionary leaders, changemakers and paradigm shifters they want to be. They know the story is their lens on the world and determines their agency. They have the knowledge and tools to change it for the better. She is an internationally recognised process host, building capacity for people to bring their stories to life, and in practice for more than 25 years. She is inspired to work with large and small systemic stories holding keys for a more generative future. She is a steward of Art of Hosting, teaching participatory practice around the world, and co-creator of Collective Story Harvest methodology. Mary Alice is the author of 365 ALIVE! Find your voice. Claim your story. Live your brilliant life. and hosts THE STORY DOJO, an online community focused on the power and practice of story. She works with individuals, communities and organizations around the world. In this episode, my conversation with Mary Alice explores the how the superpowers of storytelling and listening are like the yin and yang. She shares stories that take us on a journey from being hired for jobs to shifting organizational culture and engaging employees in change projects. "If you want to be a good storyteller, you have to be a good listener." - Mary Alice Arthur  Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:24 - Sharing a moment in time when she becomes aware of the power of listening 02:52 - How curiosity allowed a listening experience to happen: This kind of curiosity feeds an inquiry about what's really going on or what really matters. 04:00 - Becoming a witness [withness] in a listening experience: I am inviting you to be with the storyteller, to be in service to the person who is speaking 05:59 - Understanding the power of withness: You can make somebody stronger or weaker in the power of your intention to them. 10:00 - What it means to be awake in an interaction between storyteller and listener: We create stories so that we could survive and we could thrive. 13:47 - The three waves of influence with which leaders use storytelling as a tool 19:00 - How to make people share their story and vulnerability: Somebody has to go first and it's a nice step for a leader to go first. 24:17 - A story that demonstrates the power of listening 27:34 - Re-energizing an organizational structure: Our listening and our storying can reawaken why we decided to say yes to the purpose that we're doing together. 31:41 - What you can get out of listening to one's self: If I really want to show up with my highest potential, I also need to listen to myself. 33:42 - Listening as love in action: You're important enough that I'm going to give you my full attention now. 35:31 - Sharing her experience of being listened to and seeing love in action 38:12 - How can I listen louder? Key Takeaways: "The business of stories is to be awake. And that can only happen with the power of good listening." - Mary Alice Arthur  The quality of the people in the audience is determining how they show up, not the other way around. It's interesting to realize the power you have as a listener, and to know that it's intrinsic to the communication, the interaction you're having."- Mary Alice Arthur  "The thing…about vulnerability is, uncomfortable does not mean unsafe. Sometimes getting on the edge of your comfort zone is exactly where you need to be."- Mary Alice Arthur  "We have a challenge, when we're leaders or when we're facilitators or when we're anybody who's in charge of something and in front of something, oftentimes we are never in it; listening asks us to be in it with somebody."- Mary Alice Arthur  "At the bottom of it all, listening is love in action. And if you intend it to be like that, people will feel that and more will come out of it."- Mary Alice Arthur  Notes/Mentions: Stephen Covey:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Covey David Drake: https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Coaching-Definitive-Bringing-Stories/dp/0996356312https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Coaching-Definitive-Bringing-Stories/dp/0996356312 David Huchens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhutchens/https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhutchens/ Momo by Michael Inde: https://www.amazon.com/Momo-Puffin-Books-Michael-Ende/dp/0140317538https://www.amazon.com/Momo-Puffin-Books-Michael-Ende/dp/0140317538 Connect with Mary Alice Arthur:   Website: https://www.getsoaring.com   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Discover the beauty of acceptance and the power of listening. Puneet Singh Singhal, founder of ssstart.org, joins Raquel Ark on the Listening Superpower podcast to discuss the power of listening and the importance of acceptance for people who stutter.  Puneet shares his personal journey with stuttering and how it led him to create ssstart.org – a safe space for others facing the same challenges. He emphasizes the need for society to listen without interruption or judgment, and highlights the positive impact that listening can have on individuals and communities.  Puneet 's journey of acceptance and empowerment through listening serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of genuine care and understanding.  By actively listening and accepting individuals as they are, the organization fosters personal growth, confidence, and a sense of belonging.  Through continued efforts and a commitment to listening, organizations and individuals can make a lasting impact on the lives of those who stutter and promote a world where everyone's voice is heard and valued. Don't miss our conversation. Tune in. Let's listen in. "Stuttering is just a difference, it's not a deficiency of any kind." - Puneet Singh Singhal   Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:48 - Puneet's experience of being a listener and observer  02:08 -  Transition from being a stutterrer to becoming a public speaker 04:30 -  Introduction to Puneet's organization, SSStart - creating a Safe Space for people who stutter 07:22 -  The Power of Acceptance: Importance of listening and treating everyone as equals, stuttering as not a problem to be fixed, but a difference to be accepted and embraced. 11:01 -  Puneet's personal story and drive to support others, acceptance and self-love as essentials in overcoming the challenges associated with stuttering 17:46 - Embracing Diversity and Curiosity: Welcoming curious people to learn and understand stuttering  20:57 -  The power of listening and the importance of relationships, listening extends beyond the stuttering community and can enhance relationships and understanding in all aspects of life Key Takeaways: "Listening is a big part of the [community] because when we listen to someone who speaks in a different way, it changes our perspective and opens up a whole new world." - Puneet Singh "Have a good time. Listening to your partner, listening to your friends, listening to your colleague. I think it may help, it may not help, but it will always give you a better understanding and a better reflection of the world." - Puneet Singh Singhal "No amount of money will matter when we die. It's the relationships and memories that we build through our connections."  - Puneet Singh Singhal Connect with Puneet Singh Singhal : Website:https://ssstart.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/123ssstart Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/puneet-singhal/   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

As humans, we have an immense potential within us waiting to be unlocked. However, often we find ourselves stuck in a fixed way of being, limiting our growth and potential. It's time to break free from this mindset and embrace curiosity as a way of life. Mark Vandeneijnde's keen sense of insight and market understanding was the source of many breakthrough initiatives during his 10-year corporate career with a large FMCG company. As co-founder of BEING at Full Potential, he now uses these same skills to help access the incredible potential that lies within individuals and their organizations. He is the co-architect of the HUMAN POTENTIAL Assessment Tool and an adventurous filmmaker in the area of Business Transformation. Let's join Mark in this episode as we explore n innovative and powerful tool that can help individuals unlock their full potential. This tool is designed to probe and challenge individuals in a way that leads to self-discovery and ultimately, solutions. “What I discovered is that it's not what you're doing that is necessarily related to your purpose, but it's the essence of what you're doing." - Mark Vandeneijnde Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:52 - That moment he first noticed the power of listening: Stepping out of my corporate job and discovering something inside of me that I wanted to express more of. 04:45 - The turning point of that decision 10 years ago: I know what I need to do and I need to move on. 08:11 - How he got clarity in his purpose: Simply going back to those hobbies where you just lose yourself in the process. 13:56 - Tapping into the human potential: Let go of that fixed state of being and enter into a place of curiosity. 25:24 - What is The Human Potential Assessment tool: Listen to potential and to a certain extent even measure potential. 36:08 - What is the tool used for: To probe, to ask questions so that they can eventually come to the conclusion themselves. 41:30 - Entrepreneurship from a place of being: Meeting a need that is coming from within and bridging it to market needs. 47:31 - Advice to leaders on how to do things differently: Look at these young people as a fountain of creativity and ideas to survive long-term. 52:07 - How to support this creativity from younger generations:  It's a cultural shift; a fundamental change at how organizations look at the potential of their people. 56:31 - Digging deep into the idea of an intrapreneur more than just being an entrepreneur Key Takeaways: "If we pay attention and delve beneath the surface of the things we love doing, we discover their essence, the profound quality that truly matters, and that's where the real power lies." - Mark Vandeneijnde "Organizations must adapt and prioritize how to tap into the natural creativity and ideas present among the younger generation." - Mark Vandeneijnde  "We assume that senior leaders are the visionaries. However, it is often the junior members who possess the strongest connection to what the future holds." - Mark Vandeneijnde   Connect with Mark Vandeneijnde : Website: https://beingatfullpotential.com/ Website [Human Potential Assessment]: https://beingatfullpotential.io   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking we know everything. What if we took a step back and listened more? Not only to other people, but also to ourselves and to the situation? By opening ourselves up to different perspectives and experiences, we start on a journey of exploration and discovery, even in challenging conversations at work.  In this episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast, author of the book, Thrive in Turbulent Times, Jo Boniszewski shares how to listen so we can bring calm and clear thinking amidst the storm. After 15 years of commercial management roles, Jo became an executive leadership coach and facilitator and has been working many years with leaders and organizations to help them lead with more ease and impact.  Since 2013, Jo has worked closely with Alan Seale, Founder and Director at the Center for Transformational Presence. She is a programme leader for the Transformational Presence signature programmes. In 2021 Jo launched her online Thrive self-leadership year programme. The programme, based on her book, focusses on equipping participants to build their capacities for thriving in these turbulent times. British-born Jo lives in The Netherlands with her husband René and three children, Alex (2003), Sophie (2005) and Katie (2009).  Jo shares amazing stories and very practical tips on how to manage our monkey mind and how to become aware of our hidden assumptions, which are key to being able to listen with impact. She helps us understand our human nature and embrace our “weaknesses” without judgment, so that we can extend the same understanding and compassion to others. Enjoy listening to our journey of exploration and discovery to foster deeper connections and more meaningful relationships at work and at home. "If you embrace not knowing, you open your mind to new perspectives, new ideas, new possibilities, the potential and the opportunity that might be present in situations." - Jo Boniszewski Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:38 - When she first noticed the power of listening in her work with leaders 02:32 - Putting aside the inner chatter: First noticing it, taking one step back, and becoming present. 04:35 - The impact it made on the other person when she put aside her internal chatter: I would notice a sort of settling, relaxing and an opening up. 08:25 - Experiencing the discovery of uncharted territories leading to a connection 15:30 - Surprising moment when the power of listening became clear to her: becoming aware of your assumptions 22:54 - What is listening to a situation?  27:54 - The result of 'inquiring together': Creative energy was freed up and work started getting done. 31:47 - What drove her to write her book Thrive in Turbulent Times: Helping people to meet this turbulence from a place of trust, calmness, clarity and ease. 33:24 - Five steps to bring calmness and Thrive in Turbulent Times 40:31 - Listening as a full body and wholehearted experience 41:54 - What it means to embrace 'not knowing' Key Takeaways: "If you make a commitment to yourself to do it [five steps to thrive in turbulent times] for 10 days just notice what the effect is on your state of being. It's a doorway that you can walk through to find some more inner calm, inner quiet, and inner focus." - Jo Boniszewski "It's important to accept that you're human and not judge yourself. That allows you to be more non-judgmental in your interactions with others which is essential when you want to be curious and open to listen and discover." - Jo Boniszewski "I view listening as a full body experience that's wholehearted and whole minded." - Jo Boniszewski "Embrace not knowing as being important, even an important capacity to have to be able to listen well." - Jo Boniszewski "Embracing not knowing helps you to stay in a place of calm." - Jo Boniszewski   Notes/Mentions: Thrive in turbulent times: A handbook for living by Jo Boniszewski:https://joboniszewski.com/ Connect with Jo Boniszewski: Websites www.joboniszewski.com www.barefoottraining.nl    Social Media  www.linkedin.com/in/joboniszewski www.instagram.com/joboniszewski www.facebook.com/jo.boniszewski  E-mail Jo@barefoottraining.nl   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-ark-b2067613/  Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

How can you increase your mental and physical resilience so that you can choose your responses to the day-to-day pressures as well as navigate life's changes? While physical health is crucial, it's equally important to prioritize mental well-being. On this episode of the Listening Superpower Podcast, we welcome Leah Scott, a Wim Hof Method instructor, an accredited Snowy Mountains guide and a mother of two.    Leah shares her wealth of expertise on building mental and physical resilience with tools that help us become present while also learning how to listen to our body and mind. Leah is on a mission to inspire people to see beyond their perceived physical and mental limitations and improve their health and wellbeing.   From her base in Australia, Leah regularly plunges into the icy waters of the Thredbo River, taking advantage of the power of cold exposure. In this episode, she shares how this ritual has helped her conquer her own battle against stress, anxiety, and depression, emphasizing the importance of listening to one's body, emotions, and thoughts.   Leah has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Marie Claire, and Body & Soul, and has even created the world's first Wim Hof Method retreat for women. Her unique perspective shines through as she shares practical tips and insights on enhancing personal growth, building resilience, and fostering meaningful connections with oneself and others.   Join us as Leah shares her story and teaches us how to better understand and connect with our inner selves. “Get to know yourself, get to know your thoughts. And I mean listen to your thoughts. Because you can choose your response to your thoughts. Get to know your emotions; understand your feelings, your sensations, how your body works, your nervous system as a whole. Observe yourself, examine yourself and your situations. And I guarantee that you will start evolving and start to align with your purpose.” – Leah Scott Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:10 – The very first time that Leah noticed the power of listening: Going on a seeking journey that led her to her ‘second life'   05:30 – As an athlete, Leah discusses the difference between listening to her body before and after her ‘second life'   07:46 – On understanding her mind and body: Leah shares how Wim Hof and his method helped her take care of her physical and mental health   10:23 – Explaining the science behind the breathwork and cold water exposure   18:46 – ‘Just to know who I am': How present-day Leah defines and understands resilience now   22:52 – What Leah pays attention to when working with other people and groups: “I look at them at a very micro level”   27:56 – Observe in order to be of help: How Leah works with different types of people and how they manage themselves.   36:54 – What's brilliant about these tools? It never gets into anything that one can't handle!   38:40 – Leah discusses how these practices have been male-dominated in the past, while talking about the benefits of these tools not only for men, but also important for women   42:11 – If you're someone with cold hands and feet, rheumatoid, arthritis, and/or sore joints, try this tip!   Key Takeaways: "If I get into the river now or the ice baths, my heartbeat just flutters. We start to get control of stress. We're using this short-term stress to help us then deal with long-term stress." - Leah Scott "It's when you've been through the darkest parts of your life and really gotten to know your tools so well, that you can see how to help people…from the observations." - Leah Scott "My best advice to those out there would be to do the breath work, have the ice baths, calm your inner world down, know your inner world; that starts to reflect the outer world." - Leah Scott "When we can connect to ourselves, we then connect to everybody else around us. It just starts with us." - Leah Scott "Retreats are so great for corporate people…because they get to connect with their colleagues."- Leah Scott Notes/Mentions: Wim Hof: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/ Viktor Frankl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl Connect with Leah Scott: Website: https://www.leahscott.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahscottie/ Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-ark-b2067613/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listening_alchemy/?hl=en Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com 

We often don't give space and energy to  listen to what is not being said and instead focus on what we hear, our expectations and what we have “practiced” without paying attention to others or the space in between. This can cause a lot of misunderstandings and performance is often lowered. What if you could pave a way for beautiful moments of collaboration to happen where you can perform your best BECAUSE you are in tune with others and the moment, adapting to what is best for the group (and the audience)? Grammy winning and musician extraordinaire Terreon Gully is one of the most influential artists of his generation. Tune into this episode as we take listening to a level you may not have considered before. We hope to erase all expectations and start from zero, unveiling unexpected outcomes on how huge listening impacts others. Parallels are made from music, to collaboration,  leadership and life-death decision-making.   Widely recognized for his creativity, versatility, and authenticity, Terreon has mastered a variety of musical genres. His innovative and distinct sound has inspired numerous artists and collaborations—from jazz legends and modern masters to the hottest hip hop icons.   Committed to education and inspiring other musicians, Terreon served as a Professor of Music at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada and has given clinics and master classes all over the world; including, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and New Zealand. When you listen to this episode and Terreon's unique approach, not only will you learn how a master musician approaches making beautiful music with others, but you will learn how to master listening for impact in a big way.   Disclaimer: Terreon Gully, allowed the listening SUPERPOWER podcast to use a portion of the music from “Tanktified" in their podcast episode with Terreon which is licensed under TERREON's MUSIC ASCAP. If you enjoyed the portion of music featured in this episode, please support the artist by visiting https://terreongully.com/.     “A lot of people feel inadequate if they don't know and feel like it's something wrong. But I think that's how you learn—it's about being first comfortable and cool with not knowing, and therefore, you are able to listen and learn.”   – Terreon Gully     Listening SUPERPOWER Notes:   00:00 – We play, it's conveyed, they react: Terreon recalls when he first started playing music and how the musicians in church and the cadences of the preacher moved the congregation   03:48 – Music at its highest level: Listening to the space in between. “When musicians are really listening to each other and making the music happen”    11:33 – Starting from zero and what made a show the “best” that season: What makes it hard for people to be in tune with each other?    17:32 – Terreon's tips on how you can become that musician who is able to create something beautiful with others: Take the time and really listen to the music; listen for everything   24:45 – There needs to be a space: Highlighting how you're only able to listen and learn once you're comfortable with admitting that you don't know something   27:41 – Pay attention to what's being said in order to hear what's not being said; Terreon's major life experience being on the jury, creating deductions and making decisions based on what was not said.   41:48 – Are women really better listeners than men?: “I don't agree. I think everything is based on the individual.”     Key Takeaways:   “For me, music at its highest level is when musicians are really listening to each other and making the music happen.” – Terreon Gully   “We have a limited vocabulary when it comes to language, but if you're listening and using more than just the language you have in communicating, you have an unlimited amount of things you can say and do.” – Terreon Gully  “Really take the time and really listen to the music. Listening to the music is totally different from checking out the music.” – Terreon Gully   “Pay attention to what's being said in order to hear what's not being said.” – Terreon Gully   “People miss out on a lot because they have expectations, so they're not able to appreciate what is. I think it's important, whether it's a concert, whether it's a movie, whether it's food, just see what it is and then go from there versus having expectations.” – Terreon Gully     Connect with Terreon Gully:   Website: https://terreongully.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terreongully / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terreontankgully/      Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn  Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com      

What does it mean to truly listen in a way that has enormous impact, also in the business world?  When we commit to truly listening to someone, we open doors for quality connections that can lead to transformation and relationship satisfaction. It's through listening that we can build bridges of understanding, empathy, and trust that allow us to connect with people on a deeper level. This, in turn, positively impacts organizational outcomes. In today's episode, we have a special guest, my good friend and mentor,  Dr. Avi Kluger, who is a renowned expert in the field of listening and a great listener.  Dr. Avi Kluger is a professor of organizational behavior at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and his area of research focuses on the dangers of feedback and the benefits of listening in relationships and at work.  Avi has published numerous studies on the topic of listening in leading publications, including a meta-analysis on the power of listening at work. He was the Director of the Executive MBA program of the School (2010-2014). In his capacity as a director, he put strong emphasis on helping executives develop soft skills (e.g., negotiation, listening, self-presentation) in addition to developing an integrative view of the business. In this episode, Avi shares his insights on the definition of listening, which may surprise you. And that with listening, it may be hard, but the rewards of a deep and meaningful connection are more than worth it. If you commit to listen, you will find your relationships transform and flourish. Because then you open yourself up to the vulnerability of someone else's thoughts and emotions, and allow them to touch your heart. "Listening appears to create first and foremost good connections, good relationships, trust, and relationship satisfaction." - Avi Kluger Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:25 - One experience when he felt the power of listening truly working 04:32 - How listening creates quality connections that reduces depression, anxiety and fosters vigor for life 10:20 - Discussing a question included in a listening research paper: Can we get rid of the adjective? 12:30 - Defining listening: Devotion to being with the other. 19:18 - Getting a little deeper into what it means to decide to devote yourself into listening 22:20 - What makes listening so hard: Because you have to completely let go. 26:16 - How listening lays the foundation of good connection with the ripple effect of relationship satisfaction 29:53 - Creating a challenge through listening even when things are already going smoothly 31:05 - Avi imparting some gold of wisdom: You decide to listen. It's gonna be hard. If you commit yourself, you may find that your prison walls are moving away from you and you have much more freedom in your life. Notes/Mentions: Kluger, A. N., & Itzchakov, G. (2022). The power of listening at work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 9, 121-146. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-012420-091013 Jane Dutton: https://michiganross.umich.edu/faculty-research/faculty/jane-dutton Guy Itzchakov: https://listeningalchemy.com/listen-in/listening-research-and-its-power-with-associate-professor-guy-itzchakov/  Key Takeaways: "Those fleeting moments of high quality connection, something in us changes for the better and as a result of it, it's like a deposit in our mental wellbeing bank. It reminds us that we are connected, reduces our depression, anxieties, and provides us with vigor for life, combined with sometimes new understanding of ourselves, the world, or both." - Avi Kluger "If you decide to devote yourself, it's a continuous decision, because this devotion could be for two minutes. It may disappear, you may bring it back and the devotion could be created by the listener, but it could also be created by the speaker." - Avi Kluger "Every time you go into this space of true connection with another human being, you're being transformed." - Avi Kluger "Many people are so lonely, entrenched in their own political camp. They cannot see the humanity of people from the other side, let alone listen to them." - Avi Kluger "We are sticking to what we know and to the worldview that we have. And this prison is serving us well. But the question is, is it well enough?" - Avi Kluger "While listening may take away time from work, it actually saves in the long term…a lot of time and creates better outcomes." - Avi Kluger "Once good relationships are created, more knowledge transfers in the organization, more positive attitudes are formed, like job satisfaction, motivation, and hence, and we see evidence of better performance, including objective measures of performance." - Avi Kluger Connect with Avi Kluger: Website: https://www.avi-kluger.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikluger/  Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com   LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com   

Have you ever thought about how listening develops in children and how this connects with listening in leadership development? You might be surprised by what you discover from our guest today.  Marva Shand-McIntosh  founded the I Love to Listen Day in 2005, and it's still going strong. This day is celebrated every year on May 16th. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist as well as an international communication consultant who trains executive leaders, educators, youth leaders and parents in successful listening practices. As a Certified Listening Professional, Marva has presented papers at international and national conferences. She also serves as a guest lecturer on listening at various university campuses, in churches and the community. Her professional activities include memberships in the ILA and the American Speech-Language Association. I hope you are inspired with Marva just like I am in finding ways to raise the awareness of listening and inspiring communities and families on how they can listen to each other better. Even creating fun and creative ways and rituals that have long lasting effects. Enjoy listening in.   "Whether or not we think we have a listening reputation, we do." - Marva Shand-McIntosh   Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:07 - When Marva noticed the power of listening -- and how it indeed worked 04:42 - Knowing she is a listener by heart: It was my comfort zone when I was in a group or with other individuals, I just felt more comfortable being the listener, even though I could talk up a storm. 07:40 - What is it about a leader's listening reputation: As a leader at any level of leadership, we motivate, we encourage, we send the message to the workers that you are valued, and we appreciate you. 11:02 - The impact that listening has on Marva: The most impact on me is that listening is foundation work. 15:14 - One important thing she reminds herself of: Be the first to listen and listen first. 17:24 - Understanding the development stages of listening that starts from a mother's womb 23:19 - A deeper understanding of a teenage brain and why they're responding to other voices and not so much to their parents 25:37- Learning more about the 'silent period' that we go through in the development stages of listening 27:51 - Marva talks about the 'I Love to Listen Day' and the inspiration that started this inspiration. She shares ways it is celebrated and the impact it leaves on people 34:11 - Watch out for Marva's Listening Proclamation on her website which you can send to your family, local and national government 35:54 - Marva's heartfelt message to everyone: "When you get into an interaction, be that one person to be the first one to do the listening and to listen first because you're giving someone an opportunity to be understood." Key Takeaways: "Listening is motivating; and that's what we do as leaders." - Marva Shand-McIntosh "If you can listen to teenagers, you can do it anywhere." - Marva Shand-McIntosh "Listening is hard work. It's not intuitive and it is foundational and no one thinks about the foundation." - Marva Shand-McIntosh "In language learning, when you move to another culture and you are acquiring the new language, you do go through that silent period and you are learning." - Marva Shand-McIntosh "How we know (listening) is a powerful thing? When someone is misunderstood. It is the most stinging, the most disturbing experience." - Marva Shand-McIntosh "Listening is a life and death matter in many cases. And in other cases people have missed opportunities that will never come back because your listening wasn't there." - Marva Shand-McIntosh "As a leader, be that motivator and use listening to motivate others; as a parent do the same, because I would always say if you want to change the world, go home and listen. That is a great place to start." - Marva Shand-McIntosh   Notes/Mentions: Let's celebrate 'I Love to Listen Day', click here:  http://www.ilovetolisten.com/contact/ Connect with Marva Shand-McIntosh: Website: http://www.ilovetolisten.com/ Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com  

When it comes to Diversity and Inclusion, one hidden bias continues to hold businesses back: linguistic bias. This hidden bias affects much more than just non-offensive language, influencing the way we judge people from the moment they open their mouths. Where do these biases come from? How do they hinder hiring and promotion decisions? How can businesses make sure their preference for eloquent speakers in leadership doesn't create barriers for certain groups? This eye-opening talk delves deep into the issue of linguistic bias and its impact on businesses, providing insight into how this bias can be addressed and mitigated. By the end, you'll be speaking and listening to everyone around you in a whole new way. Heather Hansen helps top global professionals show up, speak up, and inspire action in a changing world. She is on a mission to empower global voices to contribute to conversations that matter – in business, politics, and life. Only through conscious, confident, and connected communication can we achieve our collective potential and peacefully solve the world's greatest challenges.   Heather is a leader in the field of global English communication and she is known for being an outspoken advocate for global voices. She fights against micro-inequities related to language and accent in international teams and helps companies build communication cultures where every voice is heard. She is called upon by some of the world's largest companies to unmute leaders and teams so they can be more innovative, inclusive and efficient while adapting to modern challenges. Heather's 2018 TEDx talk titled 2 Billion Voices: How to speak bad English perfectly has had over 190,000 views and is used by many university professors and English language specialists in their own teachings. Heather is also an External Industry Expert in Communication for National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School's Executive Education programs.   "The words are one thing. But there's so much more to it than that. We're really listening when we…have the cultural intelligence to understand and hear the meaning behind the message." - Heather Hansen   Listening SUPERPOWER Notes: 00:46 - Heather's biggest learning moments around listening the first time she was aware of it. 03:46 - Don't know what to say?: "You don't have to say anything; you can ask some really good questions very authentically." 04:56 - Heather's mission in life: "How do we make sure everyone's voice is heard at the table so that when that brilliance is spoken, we hear it and we understand it, and we act on it?" 06:06 - The huge shift in her listening perspective: "There is no one perfect proper English. We're all navigating and negotiating meaning in every conversation." 08:59 - How her voice changed in the process of helping people find their voices: "By stepping into helping people to express themselves more authentically has allowed me to be more authentic in my own communication." 10:35 - Cultural intelligence as a significant factor for noticing the real meaning behind the message. 13:24 -The kind of support we provide for people when it comes to accents for them to be more understood, more clear and have the confidence to show up. 17:15 - Getting the stress off about the accent and just focusing on the message. 18:53 - The idea behind Heather'sTEDX talk about 2 Billion Voices: How to speak bad English perfectly 21:08 - A big tip for someone who is speaking a second language: "Be very aware of the sounds and words that are difficult for you; have a list of alternatives available." 22:45 - Highlighting the importance of honing your listening abilities. 24:09 - Understanding microaggressions and how to deal with them. 27:28 - Overcoming prejudice based on accents and ensuring you are tapping into the potential of a person. 29:47 - Facilitating awareness of language and accent in organizations with multicultural teams: "Sit down with everyone individually, get a really good feel of them, build those relationships through listening." 32:52 - A key message for leaders and organizations encapsulated in Heather's book: Unmuted: How to Show Up, Speak Up, and Inspire Action   Note/Mentions: Unmuted: How to Show Up, Speak Up, and Inspire Action by Heather Hansen: https://heatherhansen.com/unmuted/ TEDX Talk - 2 Billion Voices: How to speak bad English perfectly: https://www.ted.com/talks/heather_hansen_2_billion_voices_how_to_speak_bad_english_perfectly   Connect with Heather Hansen: Website: https://heatherhansen.com/ Website: https://globalspeechacademy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansenheather/ You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/c/heatherhansen Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherhansen Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com  

What are the triggers that make you boiling mad? Do you notice what happens to you and the voices in your head when you feel like someone doesn't understand you or does something “against” you? Do you want people to see and appreciate you for who you really are?     And how do we authentically become fully aware of what we deeply want and need so that we can communicate this clearly?   Mette Johansson (MBA, CSP, PCC) is a highly awarded author, speaker, and consultant. She worked in leadership roles for multinational corporations for 15 years before founding MetaMind, a training consultancy providing consulting and learning programs in the people side of leadership skills. She is the author of three Amazon bestsellers; "How to Make Yourself Promotable", "7 Skills to Help You Climb the Career Ladder", "MyVoice", as well as the co-author and ideator of “Unleash Your Voice", "Powerful Public Speaking for Every Woman”.   Mette is also the founder and relentless driver of the non-profit KeyNote – Women Speakers' directory, with a mission to bring diversity to speaking stages around the world. Mette herself has spoken internationally on Authentic, Inspirational, and Inclusive Leadership at a wide variety of global conferences, corporations, and business schools. Her clients include Citibank, Airbnb, Microsoft, UPS, Pfizer, Capitaland, and many more. Having lived in 10 countries outside her birthplace, Denmark, Mette is a global citizen who speaks fluently in four languages and currently calls Singapore home.    In this episode, Mette explains that when we open our curiosity switch, we elicit stories from people and engage in a discovery conversation with them which helps us get to know each other better and interact with them more. Listening is not about being able to speak perfectly but about being understood. You don't have to fit in to be your authentic self, you just listen to yourself and just be you.   “Asking questions is so important…when you truly want to hear what's going on and to understand what's going on.” - Mette Johansson Listening SUPERPOWER Notes:   00:26 - The first time Mette noticed the power of listening. 01:44 - From a shy girl to a professional speaker: "I wanted this change; I wanted to be more confident." 03:39 - What is authentic leadership as it relates to Mette's own journey: "Authentic leadership is very much about living according to your values."  07:09 - How her core value of empowerment plays into her designed life: "I want to empower others to be the best versions of themselves." 08:57 - Who helped her listen to herself and make a change? 11:45 - What she is teaching her younger self with the lessons she learned now. 13:32 - How does asking questions calm down those triggers in you? 19:29 - What it means to turn on your “people curiosity switch”: "You simply say, I'm going to discover something interesting about at least one person in this room today." 22:07 - People's curiosity as a neutralizer: "You can simply be that curious mind and not come in there with any preconceived notion of what the situation has to be or what that person has to be." 23:39 - Tips on how to listen to a larger audience and an online crowd: "It is a lot about observing the body language and it's also about asking questions."  26:32 - How your voice influences the quality of listening.  27:48 - Another good tip that helps your voice: Reading to young children at night. It's good practice for having a much more variety of voices." 30:00 - What is "KeyNote Women Speakers" all about? 34:51 - Advice to women with English as their second language: The key is to ensure that you are understood.   Key Takeaways:   "...traveling on my own…gave me confidence. When I could do things in different countries where I barely spoke the language, of course, I could also do these things at home." - Mette Johansson   “If you want to be an authentic leader, if you want to be authentic, feel authentic, and be perceived as authentic, the first thing is…listening to yourself. Ask yourself questions that will help you discover what is of core importance to you, your personal core values." - Mette Johansson   "Being you is so much more energy creating; it gives you energy rather than draining you when you're trying to fit in." - Mette Johansson   "When you're asking questions to the audience, you might not wait for the audience to answer every single time. But simply by asking questions, people tend to react much more." - Mette Johansson Notes/Mentions:   KeyNote Women Speakers: https://keynotewomen.com/   Connect with Mette Johansson:   Website: https://www.mettejohansson.com/   Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-ark-b2067613/  Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

As Raquel traveled back to Germany from visiting her family, she brought along stories that spoke volumes of her purpose in life – practicing and being surprised by our listening superpower. Reflecting on a routine she had while traveling as a younger person, she took time to look at the window from a cloud perspective and truly listen to what 2023 wanted to tell her.    With an open heart and mind to the possibilities of what 2023 has in store for her, she was surprised at an immense sense of gratitude. And she shares this with us on this episode.   True to her passion, she is continuing to advocate for more listening to take place - listening to ourselves, to others, and engaging others to listen to us.   In this episode, Raquel returns to the often-repeated question, “How do I get people to listen to me?” She offers us more practical tips on how to be a channel for people to lean in and listen to us and for us to listen more to ourselves.   “High-quality listening is when we listen with no judgment. And in our listening – we are interested, we are objective, we are neutral.” - Raquel Ark   Episode Recomendations:   Upcoming episode with Mette Johansson on how to vary your voice – the tone of your voice, the quality of your voice that helps your audience to listen to you Ep17:Unlocking Your #Authentic Voice by #SpeakingYourTruth with Elissa Weinzimmer Ep09:Evidence on Listening Training and Workplace Performance with Guy Itzchakov Ep46. #Listening Research And Its Power With Associate Professor Guy Itzchakov Listening SUPERPOWER Notes:   00:37 - A quick sharing of her vacation and great time catching up with the people she cared for  00:59 - Looking forward to having great podcast guests lined up for this new year 02:18 - Raquel's story of reliving childhood memories with fondness and getting the chance to listen to herself 04:09 - Listening to what 2023 wanted to bring for her: "A great sense of gratefulness for many things."[enumerating them here with you what she is so thankful for] 07:23 - Importance of varying your voice -- the tone and quality of your voice to make people listen to you 09:03 - Speaking like a box of chocolates 12:46 - Helping the person speaking to self-reflect where there's no judgment to reduce prejudice 13:28 - A quick discussion about research  on high quality listening in diversity, equity, and inclusion  17:30 - How to approach a stakeholder with an extreme opinion: “One of the best things you can do at that moment is to practice high quality listening.” Key Takeaways:   "One of the important things is to change your tone of voice. This varied voice helps people to stay interested and to listen to easier."- Raquel Ark "You are asking questions that help them even understand themselves to think further." - Raquel Ark Other Mentions:     Journal of Experimental Social Psychology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-experimental-social-psychology     Can high quality listening predict lower speakers' prejudiced attitudes? By: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103120303620     Connect with Raquel Ark:   https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark

On the shortest day of the year, known as the Winter Solstice, Raquel takes a moment to reflect on 2022. What brought you light this year? As the days start to get longer and extend, what would you like to extend further from 2022 into 2023?  And as we take the opportunity to reflect on the year,  how can we continue to raise the opportunities for more listening, whether we are listening to ourselves, others or even helping people listen to us. In this episode, Raquel was  inspired to answer the most frequently asked question she was asked this year:  ‘How do I get people to listen to me?'  Listen in as Raquel shares actionable tips to help you become a better listening facilitator to ensure that you are also listened to, and experienced by the people around you. “When you want someone to listen to you, the best thing you can do is start by listening to them first. ‘- Raquel Ark Topics Covered   01:11 - What's unique with Winter Solstice: the shortest day of the year. It's a great day to take time to reflect. 02:49 - Setting up the conversation through curiosity and intention. When you want someone to listen to you, the best thing you can do is listen to them first. 04:34 - Importance of preparation during meetings and conversations. And being very clear about your agenda 05:11 - Empathy and listening 06:50 - The most important thing you need to do at that moment is to be fully present 08:39 - Importance of checking in during the conversation. Ways to check for understanding, regardless of your audience   Episode Mentioned: Cultivating the #ListenFirst Movement with Communications Scholar Graham Bodie   Key Takeaways [on how to facilitate checking for understanding during meetings and conversations] “Find ways to check understanding. Just check in instead of rambling on. There's a very good chance that they did understand, but they thought of something else, or you were not clear enough.” - Raquel Ark Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark 

Have you noticed how your co-workers or team seem to have difficulty listening well to each other, having different understandings of what is important? Do you want to know how you can help a group listen to what is actually emerging in discussions?   Visualize it.   In today's episode, our guest talks about how listening is a way for you to recognize something bigger inside yourself and the group. Visualizing while listening is something you can do to help fully grasp what is being said and what is emerging in the group.   Listening is an art where you can visualize it and see its beauty.   So how do you do this?   Visual Facilitator, Vanessa Jane Smith is from New Zealand with a background in communications, organizational development, training, and coaching. She blends leadership coaching & visual facilitation creating an approach which creatively disrupts routine thinking, inspiring human potential development. She works with groups to generate new ideas, stories and approaches, aligning diverse interests.    Vanessa has facilitated high profile conferences such as The Vatican's Multi-Denominational Conference on Religions and SDGs, Italy; New Economy for Social Innovation (NESI), Spain; co-creating the new story in a Human Potential development training at Teach for America, USA. She has also worked in breakthrough Creative Leadership Programmes with  the Oil and Gas Industries and Banking Sectors throughout Europe.   In this episode, Vanessa shares the big impact and effective results of listening, whether you're listening to someone, a group of people, or maybe your team. Vanessa presents to you a ground-breaking and unique way of grasping the message of what you listen to through visualization. She also shares her experience on how she came to notice the power of listening and discover the ‘listening and visualization' technique.   “It's such a magic field. So much is possible when we listen.”   - Vanessa Jane Smith   Listen IN Notes:   01:11 - “Listening beyond the words”: When did Vanessa first notice the power of listening   06:41 - It became a superpower: What she learned about listening that she didn't realize before   08:42 - Vanessa shares how listening changes your perspective and understanding of things   11:02 - “This isn't about the pictures, this is about the quality of listening”: Vanessa talks about how she learned her listening and visualization technique   19:21 - “Feeling inside and then feeling outside”: Vanessa shares how to apply listening in big organizations   23:07 - Drawing on a blank sheet: How can you visualize listening?   26:55 - “There is such a power in this moment:” Vanessa tells us how listening is an open door to the different types of future   29:59 - Vanessa talks about the big impacts and results of listening to your team   33:37 - “Recognizing something more inside yourself”: Vanessa shares people's realizations after doing the visual technique   38:08 - Vanessa's message to you: Give it time. Give it space. Space is the great creator. And get out of the way of it. Let it be there, and then make sense of it.   39:38 - Today's lesson: “Get out of your own way and become present without judgment.”   46:53 - Vanessa shares what are her BE THE CHANGE cards and how they can help you   Key Takeaways:   “I have learned that listening is almost multi-dimensional. It really is a superpower. It's a guide to what's going on, on the inside, as much as it is a guide to what's going on on the outside. It heals.” - Vanessa Jane Smith   “The key here is listening, and really listening beyond what you think is supposed to be there.” - Vanessa Jane Smith   “We're just not literally seeing a picture. We're all walking around with what someone said at the beginning of the day, although we might have forgotten. It's still there somehow.” - Vanessa Jane Smith   “If you're looking for some really bigger results, then you have to do the opposite of what you think you have to do as an event organizer, or whatever it is. And you have to sort of slow down and give people way more space to do this delicate work.” - Vanessa Jane Smith   “You're never going to create anything new if you stay in the center of yourself where everything is fixed, correct, and right.” - Vanessa Jane Smith   Notes/Mentions:   BE THE CHANGE cards: https://craftingconnection.com/?page_id=3426   Connect with Vanessa Jane Smith:   Website: https://craftingconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-jane-smith-50a10820 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftingconnection/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanessacoach   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com

Have you ever thought you would not be an effective leader just because you are a naturally quiet person? Or are you only recruiting leaders who are outspoken and seem confident? We have long been stuck in a narrow and outdated view of what good leadership looks, sounds, and feels like. Often we assume there's a correlation between confidence and competence. We have disregarded quiet people's great potential to be of positive impact just because we think they're too shy to lead the change. This is a myth. According to our guest in episode 53,  listening is a leadership responsibility. And quietly powerful leaders use their quiet superpower towards better decision-making, more empowered and engaged teams, and high-quality outcomes.   Listen to your listening SUPERPOWER podcast to understand why and how to tap into this potential.     Megumi Miki is an author, speaker, and consultant in leadership and culture, with a background in strategy, economics, and finance. Through her book “Quietly Powerful: How Your Quiet Nature is Your Leadership Strength”, keynote presentations, one-on-one, and group coaching programs, Megumi has reached thousands of people globally and helped individuals to see their own leadership potential, lead authentically, and have an impact. She challenges our subconscious beliefs about what good leadership looks, sounds, and feels like.   Megumi brings together 20+ years of experience in leadership development, organizational development, change and business strategy as she helps leaders and organizations unlock dormant potential by evolving to be smart together rather than being smart on our own.   In this episode, Megumi discusses how quiet people are powerful and effective leaders as she shares stories inspired from her book, “Quietly Powerful”. Also, Megumi enumerates actionable tips for you to try as a leader in an organization, even if you are quiet. In this week's episode, learn about the importance of becoming present in conversations and why confidence shouldn't be compared to competence.     “Listening is a leadership responsibility, not just a nice thing to do when there's some time to listen.”   – Megumi Miki     Listen IN Notes:   00:11 – “Listen to the whole rather than just the words”: The moments that helped Megumi to notice the power of listening, and how she trained herself from then on to become a better listener   03:07 – From victim to power: Seeing how much of a superpower the survival kind of listening is along with the importance of paying attention to the essence of a conversation   07:42 – A piece of advice from Megumi: “Stay curious, because whatever you know, if you continue to speak, that's all you get – what you know. But if you actually listen, then you might learn something new.”   10:39 – How your quiet nature is your hidden leadership strength: Megumi shares the motivation behind her book, “Quietly Powerful”   16:51 – Listening = Effective leadership: How creating a listening environment where people feel safe and free to speak paves way for positive impact in an organization   21:33 – “You can hear all the words, but if you're not influenced, then you're not really listening”: Why you should be present as you listen .  28:30 – Learn from interviews Megumi did for her book and the Leadership Stories on what leaders have done to be able to effectively listen and catch critical topics   31:01 – To-do list on developing the superpower: Megumi shares  why people are quiet along with the attributes to embody in order to be seen as a leader   40:49 – Today's plot twist: “Just because you're quiet doesn't mean you listen well.”   42:52 – Connect with Megumi Miki     Key Takeaways:   “The tip would be to stay curious, because whatever you know, if you continue to speak, that's all you get – what you know. But if you actually listen, then you might learn something new. It does take a bit more effort, because what it means when you listen is that you have to integrate both what you're thinking and what other people are saying. It takes more courage, more skill, and more intellectual brainpower.” – Megumi Miki     “You can hear all the words, but if you're not influenced, then you're not really listening.” – Megumi Miki     Notes/Mentions:   Quietly Powerful: https://www.quietlypowerful.com.au/book/     Connect with Megumi Miki:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megumimiki/ Website: http://www.quietlypowerful.com.au   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn Podcast email: listeningsuperpower@gmail.com  

Achieving optimal results for ourselves and the organization requires engaging in authentic conversations. This involves listening that is not driven by fear, but by maximizing curiosity. And listening by curiosity motivates change, especially when it comes to receiving and processing feedback.   Best-selling author, executive coach, and keynote speaker Dr. Craig Dowden is bridging the gap between what science knows and what leaders do. In his work, he integrates evidence-based principles from the fields of positive psychology with those in leadership and organizational excellence.   In this episode, Craig discusses how authentic conversations can take place to achieve success in business. And how great leadership starts with self-leadership. While listening with curiosity, not only does this help us to understand people's inner worlds, we also learn so much about ourselves. He also shares powerful tips on receiving and processing feedback. "It's more vital than ever before to create space for listening. It's to listen to ourselves and to listen to others. To figure things out, we need everybody on board. And I'm an important part of that; that great leadership starts with self-leadership." - Craig Dowden   Listening SUPERPOWER podcast Notes:   00:26 - That instance when he first noticed the power of listening: It's the earliest stages of my life and it's what prompted me to do advanced studies in psychology.    01:57 - How soon did he pursue psychology?   03:50 - What it means to be part of the conversation: I love to get everybody's perspectives on the table. I love truly understanding where other people are coming from and unlocking the secrets to their inner world.    06:06 - Travel as a rewarding experience to immerse oneself in conversation   06:54 - Connecting individuals with organizational personalities: It's that intersection between who I am, what my values are, what my preferences are, and my personality and how that intersects within the organization.   13:25 - What authentic conversations boil down to: Many times, we throw around words, and values and wrap ourselves up like a security blanket in them. Yet, from a listening standpoint, we need to go deeper. Now that we've said these wonderfully aspirational things, what do they mean to me, to you, and together?   17:33 - Understanding how people on both ends of the listening spectrum agree on the same values but have different expectations of each other's behavior.   21:45 - What is positive leadership in connection with positive psychology?   23:30 - What Craig's book, A Time to Lead, is all about: The big idea within this book was great leadership starts with great self-leadership.   27:06 - What it means to listen to ourselves by having others listen to us: It's about listening to ourselves and listening to others; both perspectives are vital.    35:58 - Listening from a place of curiosity rather than fear: One of the benefits of turning to curiosity is that we're in the best space to learn and gain access to things that will be most vital for us to figure out what needs to happen in this situation.   38:15 - How the power of mindset [curiosity] and change in behavior can bring about change somewhere else.   40:31 - Two most powerful tips on receiving feedback   43:33 - Processing and addressing feedback received   45:26 - One surprising thing about his line of work: One of the big pieces that have come out of this and just continues to be reinforced over and over and over again is being comfortable with, 'I don't know'.   47:56 - How he sees the future of leadership: It's going to be even heavier on the humanistic and the connectivity side, and appreciating what that means and how we're going to manifest that.   49:22 - Sharing one significant insight: The idea of living our lives personally and professionally like scientists so that every day we go out and engage with our world personally and professionally. It maximizes curiosity and ensures that we take a listening approach. Key Takeaways:   "I love to get everybody's perspectives on the table; I love to truly understand where other people are coming from and unlock the secrets to their inner world." - Craig Dowden   "Not only do I have a chance to get to know someone on a deeper level…it enables me to get to know myself at a deeper level and to learn because when people share different perspectives on topics or situations, it invariably puts a mirror up to your own perspective." - Craig Dowden   "Heightening our listening so that we can see how…I may reframe my relationship with my organization, or what is truly going on here, so I can better understand. And so when you bring those two things together, that's the secret sauce for individual and collective excellence. - Craig Dowden   "The more we listen to others, the more we look to access their talents, strengths, and ideas, and the better we're all served by this." - Craig Dowden   "What are the things that we must be committed to, to master within ourselves? It's a life-long journey, so that…when we're called upon to exercise leadership, we are our best selves." - Craig Dowden   "When we've stepped back and say, “I'm going to start the conversation with curiosity and going to help maintain it.”, there are just so many benefits, and there's learning attached."- Craig Dowden   "Be mindful of throwing out feedback just because of WHO shared it with us." - Craig Dowden Quoting Douglas Stone:   "Often, when we receive feedback, our instinct is to look for what's wrong with it. Rather than asking what's wrong with this feedback, we would serve ourselves better by asking what's right about it."   "The harder the feedback for us to hear, the longer we want to sit with it and look to learn because, chances are, it's connecting into an identity piece for us." Notes / Mentions:   Do Good To Lead Well by Craig Dowden: https://craigdowden.com/the-book/ A Time to Lead by Craig Dowden: https://www.amazon.com/Time-Lead-Mastering-Master-World/dp/1637630751 Barbara Fredrickson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Fredrickson Douglas Stone: https://www.pon.harvard.edu/faculty/douglas-stone/   Connect with Craig Dowden:   https://craigdowden.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/   Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 listeningsuperpower@gmail.com contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark   

In a noisy world with so many distractions pulling us in different directions, it is easy to get lost and not make sense of what people are trying to communicate. This is true for both the person listening and the one being listened to. Listening with purposeful intention and saying the most important things first helps communication be clear and concise, having more impact. Joe McCormack is on a mission to help organizations master lean communication. In an age of shrinking attention spans, non-stop interruptions, and floods of information our messages are getting lost in a sea of words.   An experienced marketing executive, successful entrepreneur, and author, Joe is recognized for his work in narrative messaging and strategic communications. His book, “BRIEF: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less” (Wiley, 2014) tackles the timeliness of the “less is more” mandate. Because even expert communication can be thwarted by an audience that has lost the capacity to pay attention, he follows up with a pragmatic guide to managing a distraction-filled environment in “NOISE: Living and leading when nobody can focus” (Wiley, 2020).   He speaks at diverse industry and client forums on the topics of brevity, storytelling, change and leadership. A passionate leader, he founded The BRIEF Lab in 2013 after years dedicated to developing and delivering a unique curriculum on executive communications for U.S. Army Special Operations Command (Ft. Bragg, NC). He actively counsels military leaders and senior executives on effective, efficient communication and produces a weekly podcast series called “Just Saying”.   In this episode, Joe shares how to listen and how to speak so that our communication has more impact, especially in an environment of information overload and time-pressure. Being prepared to communicate (he shares how!) and deciding to get interested in what you are about to hear, not just choosing what you want to hear makes all the difference.. As you get interested, you become interesting, because people who listen well are interesting.   "Listening is like seeing; it's purposeful listening versus general listening." - Joe McCormack   Listening SUPERPOWER podcast Notes:   00:20 - The time Joe started noticing the power of listening: You can't summarize what you didn't hear. You visit a conference and are asked afterwards, “Well, what did they talk about?” If you didn't hear it, you can't summarize it. And that triggered in me: How am I listening at that moment so that I can provide the summary?    01:27 - Joe shares examples of summarizing based on listening with purpose when having conversations with clients: As you talk to people a lot, you have to sit down and write down notes at the end of those moments. Listening well makes writing notes easier.   03:16 - Listening “Aha moments”: If you think about journalists, they're professional listeners. Their job is to listen, but they're listening for a story. Their listening is very intune.   05:22 - Listening for the story boils down to: "If you had to create a headline or a title of the story, when you listen, you're listening for the title. You have a purpose now; the why you listen."    08:38 - What makes listening fun and interesting: If you're listening to something interesting, it's easy. And if you look at listening to something as complicated and messy and confusing it makes listening very difficult.    10:42 - Being interested versus being interesting: Think about how many people you know that are really good listeners; that list is very, very small. If you could be one of those people, you're immediately one of the most interesting people.    18:12 - How to get those in higher positions to listen to us: "I'm saying the most important thing first, and that's managing his or her listening at that moment, right away."   20:40 - The most surprising thing people find when Joe does training: Nobody's listening to them. Leaders in different positions of authority and responsibility think they're clear communicators. But if you talk to the people they're communicating with, very few of them find them interesting and clear.   22: 58- Making more collaborative moments in meetings: I love meetings that are designed in advance with an agenda. They're great conversations about important topics."   25:28 - The yearning for time to think: It's like an appointment like any other appointment, going to the dentist; you schedule the appointment for 10 minutes. Think about that thing for 10 minutes. And then you're done.    28:40 - Helping people to listen to you with ease: Let a person know what you're talking about while telling them what they need to do. And then, the conversation can be clearer and shorter. If you do that, you've just managed the person's listening.   36:47 - Advice he would give his younger self: "You can practice this [listening] every day with people without them even knowing; it's not just a work thing. It's a life thing.”   38:15 - Big takeaway for listeners:  Listening is a gift best given in the moment.   Key Takeaways: "When you start to listen to conversations like you're a journalist, imagine if, at the end of a conversation, you had to write a story about the conversation. Your listening is different." - Joe McCormack   "People enjoy conversations when people are listening. But often, they don't listen because they have no purpose to what they're listening for." - Joe McCormack   "If you're talking too much, and you're unclear, it makes listening very difficult." - Joe McCormack   "When you give a purpose [to listening], it doesn't make it easy. It makes it easier." - Joe McCormack   "It's a part of your professional responsibility to listen because your colleagues, your boss, your customers…are telling you things. But you're not even listening because you don't feel like it? The decision to be interested is a decision more than a feeling."  - Joe McCormack   "You have to make sure that you prepare before you communicate." - Joe McCormack Notes / Mentions:   Quiet Works: https://thequietworkplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Quiet-Works-Position-Paper.pdf Noise: https://thebrieflab.com/noise/ Brief: https://thebrieflab.com/book_brief/   Connect with Joe McCormack:   https://thebrieflab.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpmccormack/ https://thebrieflab.com/ https://thebrieflab.com/blog/ https://podcast.thebrieflab.com/ linkedin.com/in/josephpmccormack https://www.facebook.com/thebrieflab/ https://www.instagram.com/thebrieflab/ https://thequietworkplace.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thequietworkplace/ Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 listeningsuperpower@gmail.com contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark 

Listen in podcast has reached a milestone, and we're celebrating!    You're in for a treat, of course. You've heard Raquel mention her son, Luke, often in the interviews.  How about Luke interviewing his mother, Raquel, for a change?    The tables are turned, and Raquel becomes the interviewee.   Get an inside look at Raquel's journey into podcasting. She candidly answers her son's (Luke) questions, revealing the reasons why she decided to start a podcast, the change it made in her, and the realizations it led her guests to, even when they are experts in their fields. And what it has brought to her listeners' lives.   Also, we get to see what a kind-hearted and friendly-natured human she is, striking up warm conversations with strangers wherever she goes as if it's second nature to her.   As part of this 50th episode, Raquel also shares a few changes to the show's format you can expect moving forward.   Join the fun and enjoy  a lighthearted mother-son banter unveiling this warmhearted, playful mother-son dynamic as Luke puts his mom in the spotlight. "What matters to me most, is my way to try to have some impact in the world in a positive way." - Raquel Ark   Listen IN Notes:   01:50 - Celebrating the 50th episode with a new podcast show title and with a surprise guest interviewer this time   04:31 - The reason behind her getting into podcasting and how many years since she first started to think about podcasting.   05:20 - What she considers her favorite moments in her podcasting journey: My favorite moments are when I am interviewing the guests. And they are surprised by the question.    06:38 - Does she even prepare before the podcast: I have to prepare myself mentally, so I'm really there. And that's the most important part at that moment of the interview.   07:03 - Raquel's dream guests: I would love to interview Brene Brown down the road. It doesn't only have to be famous people; I love interviewing people who put this listening thing into practice, not just talking about it.    08:27 - How podcasting changes her: I think my interviewing skills have gotten better over time. And I learn something from every single person.   09:24 - What she hopes from listeners of her podcast: That it really opens people's minds to what listening is, what's possible with listening, and the potential of listening.   10:44 - The thing that matters most to her about having the podcast: This is my way to try to have some impact in the world in a positive way.   11:44 - Best feedback she has gotten: I get emails from different people who just point out what made a difference for them.    13:00 - Improvement she sees over the past years with the podcast: I got better with some of the questions even though I'm not really strict with time, I try to stick to 40 minutes.   13:30 - What to expect from the new podcast format: I want to shorten the introduction. I want to keep having these deep conversations. And I've also thought about adding shorter podcasts every so often where I'm answering questions I get from people.   14:22 - Reason to celebrate her podcast show: Only 30% of podcasts make it past six or seven episodes. The fact that this podcast is more than three years is a very big deal.   15:24 - What she's proud about: If I look at my guests and listeners, I have people from all over the world, all different cultures, different places.   18:10 - Raquel asking Luke for a possible guest appearance together with his friends, which topic they would discuss, and guests suggestions. Key Takeaways:   "What I love is when the guests come as experts, but they discover something new." - Raquel Ark   [on bringing on guest] "It doesn't only have to be famous people. I actually love interviewing people who are just pioneering things and trying new things or doing things differently or thinking for themselves and seeing how they are really putting this listening thing into practice… not just talking about it." - Raquel Ark   [the impact of Listen In on Raquel ] "I use what I learn in my work or refer my podcast to people I coach or my students. Every guest I've had has influenced me in some way that has helped me improve at what I do. And sometimes better at listening as a mom, even though I know, I'm still struggling at that." - Raquel Ark   "I hope it inspires people to try (listening) out in a playful way, in new ways at work and home. And to know that we have new ways we can try every day." - Raquel Ark   "I love the feedback that comes from people where they said…this is something I'm going to try out, or I did try it out and it really made a difference." - Raquel Ark   "This podcast, even though it is very niche; I'm in the top 10%." - Raquel Ark   Notes/Mentions:   Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com   Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark 

Hello everyone. My name is Raquel Ark.  I am the host of the Listen in with Raquel Ark podcast, and this podcast has been around, I can't believe it, for over three years, and I'm coming up to the 50th podcast. Started as a hobby and has turned into a passion.  Originally, when I started the podcast, I was having amazing conversations with authors, leaders, with scientists about listening because I was trying to discover the superpower of listening, and I thought if I could bring this conversation and record it and share it with others these things that I'm learning, Maybe that will help catalyze this listing movement that so many of us are trying to support. So the name came through a little collaboration I had with a girlfriend of mine over a cup of coffee where she's like, ‘Oh, how about listen in.' Listen in is about listening in to a conversation. It's about. Listening in that self-reflection where you go inward and reflect on what you're discovering, but it's also about listing, and that's how we came up with the name in the beginning. But what we're realizing after this, after three years, is when you do a search on Listen in', there are so many listen-ins now that there weren't. Back then, and it's not always easy to find.  So in the new rebranding, we're gonna look at a title and some branding that will make it clearer so that more people can reach this podcast and so that we can catalyze even more listening together.  I hope you stay with me. We're gonna keep doing interviews. If you know of people who you would love to have interviewed who would be great for this podcast, please reach out.  If you love the podcast and you want more people to become better listeners, then please share and rate the podcast. Anything you can do to help catalyze a listening movement together would be awesome. In the meantime, keep doing your theme, keep listing having fun, and you'll hear from me very soon.

How can we listen well when we have limited time and high demands? This is an important question across all types of organizations.  And especially in the medical environment, have a potential life and death answer. The ability of health providers to listen is key to enhancing the patient experience and giving quality health care.   Dr.  Krishna Naineni (Nigh- Nay- Knee) is a General Practitioner (GP) in the southeast of England. He is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a faculty at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. He is a passionate medical educator with interest in listening-centered clinical communication.  Currently, he is serving as a Chair of International Listening Association's Healthcare team. As a Certified ECHO Listening Practitioner, Krishna is encouraging healthcare professionals to establish intelligent listening units in their respective workplaces.  He is a co-founder of Glocal Academy which has been instrumental in delivering custom-made listening-centered clinical communication skills training programs to healthcare professionals and organizations India and UK. In this episode, Dr. Naineni unravels his own discoveries, difficulties, and experiences in clinical listening. He shares how transformative it is to truly listen to patients and colleagues despite the constraints of time. He also shares the techniques he uses to reframe his thinking for effective diagnosis' and a better doctor-patient relationships.   “We all have the capacity to listen well. Believe in the magic of listening. The act of listening is the greatest gift that you can give.”  - Dr. Krishna Naineni   Listen In Notes 00:00 -  The power of listening. Dr. Krishna Shares how his communication struggles propelled him to  work on his listening skills.  05:10 -  The role of listening in the medical healthcare system. 06:42 -  The constraints of time vs. the optimized listening. Dr. Krishna shares how one mindset shift can make it possible to provide a better patient experience. 09:35 -  The journey for self-improvement and internal work. 16:24 -  The hunger to learn. Dr. Krishna reveals how teaching in the medical industry made him see the new generation of doctors' tenacity to improve on listening. 19:04 -  Cultivating doctor-patient relationships through listening. Dr. Krishna reveals the effects of letting the patients share more during the consultation. 33:00 -  Team Rambo Journal Club. Dr. Krishna shares the group that they made to support medical students in healthcare communication or listening.   39:00 -  “Negation” as a tool. Dr. Krishna shares one of his learnings from J. Krishnamurti, “Through NEGATION, that thing which alone is the positive comes into being."  Key Takeaways: (on the impact of slowing down) “When I slowed down, I was more present. And people were more forthcoming with their concerns…with the real problems and real issues. And they were more engaging with the things that I was sharing with them."- Dr. Krishna Naineni  "To work in 21st, dynamic healthcare setting…you need to have an element of bravery. You need to be courageous to defy the challenges. And most importantly, the openness. So R-esponsibility, A-daptability, M-otivation, B-ravery, and O-penness becomes RAMBO."- Dr. Krishna Naineni “If you want to listen to the person in front of you, you must stop listening to you.”- Dr. Krishna Naineni   Resources and People Mentioned: On God by J. Krishnamurti https://store.kfoundation.org/books/books-by-j-krishnamurti/series-theme-books/on-god The Awakening of Intelligence by J. Krishnamurti https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Intelligence-Jiddu-Krishnamurti/dp/0060648341   Connect with Dr. Krishna Naineni E-mail: glocalacademyuk@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glocalacademyuk/  Connect with Raquel Ark: https://listeningalchemy.com/  Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn: Raquel Ark     

How can listening to yourself be an ultimate superpower to live the life you want? Robbie Swale is a leadership coach, author, and podcaster, whose work focuses on creativity, coaching, and leading with honor. His time is split between his coaching business, writing, and various associate work. He supports coaches to grow their businesses and impact and thrive as people, via a community for coaches and a podcast. An ability to see things differently, understand different perspectives and see the truth in the world without the fear to do or say the right thing is the reason why coaches choose to collaborate with him.   In this episode, Robbie shares his journey on how he developed the 12-minute method while discovering how listening can be used as a superpower when it comes to truly live the life we really want. He also shares about the struggles and resistance he has overcome to be able to make an impact through his writing and how this helps him fuel his creative impulses.    Robbie also emphasizes the importance of consistency in building good habits. He realized how writing consistently for 12 minutes over time developed a practice of listening to that surprised him. And it helped him get things done and move him forward, even amidst his fears.   Robbie is the author of How to START when you're STUCK and How to KEEP GOING when you want to GIVE UP, as part of a series that have come out of his 12 Minute Method.  These books provide practical inspiration to get your idea off the ground and help you create good habits and stay focused - even when it's hard.   “6 years of creating, sharing, and of consistency. I've never put my mind to something, created a habit, and kept it before this. And now I know I'm somebody who can do that, and that's transformational.” - Robbie Swale Listen IN Notes:   5:54 - How listening and writing have impacted Robbie's life   7:06  -  “Whose words were those?” - prompt for practicing self-listening, Listen to your inner voice and ask a few questions to deepen your understanding.   14:33  - All about listening to your creative impulse and listening to yourself   25:19  - Listening made simple: listening to ourselves in relation to developing confidence    28:49  - Getting to know the voices in your head. To practice that self-listening, and writing whether it's for yourself or for somebody else. To practice self-listening and writing from a place of clarity, incisiveness, and compassion.   37: 47  -  All about the act of inertia, creating a change in our organization for the better, be working just a little bit on a project that you think would really serve the customers that aren't being served in this way.    38:06  - The impact of doubt on the experience of regret. Regret can feel overwhelming, but it is worth pausing to ask yourself: is my current thought pattern feeling like regret, what can I do about it?   42:42- The importance of getting yourself off the hook from all the outcomes that you think you want because you can't predict creativity, change, or organization.    Key Takeaways:   “The good rule of thumb is that the places where we feel the most resistance, the most fear, where we do the most procrastination are the most important places for our soul's evolution.” - The War of Art by Steven Pressfield   “Everybody has the voices that tell them, “You're not the person to do this.”  One of the games, the way to deal with that, is you don't have to listen to those voices…because we have some voices in our heads that may come from fear and mostly that fear isn't real. “- Robbie Swale   “If you write how you think, then as you practice writing, you get better at that, then you also get better at thinking. And if you write how you speak, then you also get better at speaking.” - Robbie Swale Those conversations (with listening) give me amazing energy.  - Robbie Swale   When I am writing, I feel like I am listening beyond myself. - Robbie Swale A small amount of time once a week has a much bigger impact than I expected. - Robbie Swale   What would be exactly enough time and not a second more to make some progress?  - Robbie Swale Notes/Mentions:   Raquel Ark's featured interview at The Coach's Journey Podcast – Listening Alchemy And The Gold Beyond Words Raquel's interview with mutual friend Colin Smith, Stop doing listening and start being listening Jim Dethmer, Kaley Klemp, and Diana Chapman's “15 commitments of Conscious Leadership” Steven Pressfield's “War of Art” Robert Holden    Connect with Robbie Swale:   Website: https://www.robbieswale.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobbieSwale LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbieswale/ Podcast: https://anchor.fm/12-minute-method    Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn

How can you get more value through team collaboration and understanding what your customer really needs?   Teresa Torres is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and coach who helps teams gain valuable insights from their customer interviews, run effective product experiments, and drive product outcomes that create value for their customers and their businesses. She teaches teams how to connect the dots between their research activities and their product decisions, inspiring confidence that they are on the right track.    In this episode, Teresa shares her experience about how listening is filtered by what we hear based on our past experience and knowledge. If you are working on a team to listen to customer needs, it's only natural that we have different perceptions of what happened in a customer interview. Instead of discussing who is right and who is wrong, what if everyone saw one piece of the puzzle. Instead, how can we listen to and synthesize information in a structured way to create products the customers will really use?   Teresa discusses the importance of listening in the context of business as she relates it to the work she does at Product Talk, where she helps teams uncover their customers' underlying needs through story-based interviewing.   Teresa is the author of Continuous Discovery Habits, the product trio's guide to a structured and sustainable approach to continuous discovery. This book shows teams how to start with a clear outcome, interview to discover opportunities, and test assumptions to quickly evaluate solutions.       “It's that detail that uncovers needs and pain points, but it really requires the structured mindset to have that patience and to do that work to uncover the full story.”   – Teresa Torres     Listen IN Notes:   00:00 – Listening as a superpower: Teresa shares the story on how she first became awarene on the power of listening, especially in the context of business   05:12 – Freeing oneself from the curse of knowledge: The inspiration behind her book, Continuous Discovery Habits   09:01 – How to create value: Teresa discusses the importance of conducting regular interviews with both the companies' customers and executives as she explains the concept behind story-based interviewing   16:39 – Learn from Teresa: How does Teresa interview a customer? How can you know that you're interviewing people well?   20:17 – “Participant and interviewer fatigue are real things”: How much time should one spend to get all the details and uncover pain points?   22:53 – Get more value through collaboration: The benefits of having the product trio work on an interview altogether   25:00 – Visualize your thinking: Teresa explains the concept behind her visual, the Opportunity Solution Tree   28:57 – Where the synthesis happens: Individually mapping out then sharing things within the team to find commonalities afterwards to avoid group-thinking   31:54 – Learn from Teresa: How do you get someone to keep wanting to be interviewed?   35:04 – “I think the core reason why we don't listen very well in business contexts is because we're doing too much”   39:48 – Then and Now: Skills Teresa developed through the time she's spent in her craft   43:24 – It's hard but it's worth it: “We rarely think this hard in business, but critical thinking is absolutely required to really understand what we heard.”     Key Takeaways:   “Listening is a big part of (product development)...visualizing helps us verify that we heard the right thing.” – Teresa Torres   “If you actually focus on collecting a story and your interview is all about your customer and not about your product, not about how great your solution is, most of the time, your customer will ask you at the end of that interview when they can do it again. And it's because we're so rarely listened to.” – Teresa Torres   “It turns out humans love talking about themselves, so interviewing actually ends up being this really positive experience for the customer and inevitably they want to do it again.” – Teresa Torres   “Get really good at story-based interviewing, because then it's not a favor; customers actually feel like it's a treat.” – Teresa Torres   “It's not about I heard something right and you heard something wrong. It's about we heard two different things. How do we get as close as possible to what the other person intended, and recognizing we may not ever get 100% there.” – Teresa Torres     Notes/Mentions:   Product Talk: https://www.producttalk.org/ Continuous Discovery Habits: https://www.producttalk.org/2021/05/continuous-discovery-habits/ Opportunity Solution Tree: https://www.producttalk.org/opportunity-solution-tree/     Connect with Teresa Torres:   Website: https://www.producttalk.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ttorres/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresatorres/     Connect with Raquel Ark:   www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com  LinkedIn      

High-quality listening has a lot of power to impact challenging conversations, engagement, and burnout. And we are only at the beginning of learning about the potential of listening and what is possible. In this episode, we dive into current research and open questions.   Guy Itzchakov, an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Services at University of Haifa, shares what he is discovering empirically about listening.  His research focuses on high quality listening as an avenue for growth at  individual and organizational levels. He also studies attitude ambivalence, attitude-behavior relationships, and goal setting. Guy graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy - PhD focused in General Business Administration and Management from The Hebrew University.    In this episode, Guy shares how cultivating a climate of listening and genuinely getting interested in other people helps motivation, engagement, provides higher psychological safety that help avoid emotional exhaustion, and lowers turnover in an organization. "When you listen, you are not invisible. On the contrary, you are actually the one who sets the tone." - Guy Itzchakov    Listen IN Notes:   01:13 - What he is discovering further about listening after the last podcast recording: "The more I study listening, the more I realize how much depth this topic has, and how much there is more to discover."   04:24 - Differentiating in-person versus online listening   11:23 - Sharing studies about how speakers are affected by being listened to.   18:26 - Looking forward to the day when people discover the benefits of effective listening though experiences   20:39 - Talking about a project published recently:   Whether being listened to can reduce a speaker's loneliness when they talk about being socially rejected.   24:35 - Difference between moderate listening and high quality listening   27:51 - Manager listening versus colleague listening   32:16 - Touching on research about how to sell ideas to stakeholders   34:35 - What often happens when we wait before we reply, listen before we react   35:50 - What managers in organizations can do to support listening: "I think first is awareness of the importance of listening."   38:34 - Getting an idea of what a listening climate looks like   42:19 - How to listen in disagreements    48:53 - Talking about the concept of self-insight   50:19 - What good listening can do to disagreements: "I think it can create more harmony during the disagreement."    54:11 - How to do more effective listening   57:27 - Cultivating a listening attitude and having genuine interest in other people and in what they say Key Takeaways:   "When speakers felt listened to well, versus in the moderate level, they reported less deep loneliness." - Guy Itzchakov   "When you talk about the evidence of listening in the organization, it's the realization of how listening is important. That listening is not passive behavior. It's not just you being silent and nodding your head…It's much more." - Guy Itzchakov   "When cultivating a listening climate, it's not enough that the manager says , 'You know, I have an open door policy, you can talk to me whenever you want'. They need to show it." - Guy Itzchakov   "Listening during disagreements leads to a higher sense of connection as perceived by the speaker with the listener, more knowledge about one's attitude, self-insights, and it has downstream effects on the structure of the attitude." - Guy Itzchakov   "I don't think listening can shift an attitude during a disagreement unless under very specific circumstances. But I do believe that it can create more harmony during the disagreement." - Guy Itzchakov   "Be aware that there is a lot of supporting evidence about how active the role of the listener is in shaping the conversation and the consequences." - Guy Itzchakov   Notes/Mentions:   Evidence on Listening Training and Workplace Performance with Guy Itzchakov   Barbara Lee Fredrickson:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Fredrickson   Impact Stories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55AdBSq0BvA   Connect with Guy Itzchakov:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-itzchakov-05921060/ https://hw.haifa.ac.il/en/people/human/gitzchako   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn  

Often we don't notice it, but as leaders taking on varied roles in one's personal and professional life, we find ourselves hearing and not listening.  When we truly dial into our listening intelligence, that's when it strengthens connections and improves relationships that reinforce the human capacity for positive societal change. Ebele Chukwujama is a Chief Executive with 22 years of progressive experience in Banking, Consulting, and Human Development. Amongst her numerous leadership positions, she was the Division Lead – Aviation Group within the Corporate Banking Division of Zenith Bank Plc. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Aloeglobal Lifestyle and Wellness Services and also Chief Executive Officer of Poise Nigeria Limited, Nigeria's Premier Personality Branding, and Communication Company. She is a certified coach with Olusola Lanre Coaching Academy, a member of the John Maxwell Team, and the founder of The Listening School, the very first in Africa. The Listening School is a disruptive start-up on a mission to revolutionize human connection, promote real-time problem solving, increase individual productivity, and ultimately improve business processes by building a culture of listening that will help develop more productive, effective workforces and bottom line, leveraging the art of listening intelligence. The Listening school wants to impact relationships and society, one listening ear at a time. In this episode, Ebele shares how we can overcome just ”hearing” the other person and instead truly exercise listening, putting aside all biases, and coming in with an attitude of curiosity.  That way, we give people a sense of respect and self-worth, making them matter in society. "It's powerful when we listen; it makes people feel valued, respected and gives a sense of dignity and a sense of self-worth." - Ebele Chukwujama   Listen IN Notes: 00:32 - The moment Ebele noticed the power of listening: In my previous role as a CEO of a consulting company we offered speaking, writing, and all of that. And it occurred to me that we didn't offer listening, and I'm like, 'Oh, wow.' Then I went deeper into research. And I realized that listening is the incontrovertible half of communication. And it just hit me." 01:10 - What is it about that moment that hit her: "I thought, I hadn't even been listening. I have just been hearing. And you know, hearing isn't listening." 02:36 - One important thing she's realized now about listening: "When you say I hear you, you're not listening, and that you can't multitask." 02:58 - The impact listening is making in her life: "I realized that a lot of my time and attention, it's paying off my relationships with people, my interactions with my children, and society. 03:56 - Message to other CEOs and leaders: "Just listen, there's something deep inside each of us that yearns for attention." 05:03 - Initiatives she helps promote in the listening school she manages: "We facilitate listening intelligence as part of a leadership strategy, we help people enhance relationships, promote real-time problem solving and productivity." 06:43 - Knowing that everything is in alignment even with people listening and understanding things in different ways 08:18 - Overcoming the biases we have for the people we engage to listen to: "When you're coming to a listening engagement, I feel the listener or the leader has to have a curious mindset. That means you're dropping all biases." 09:17 - Advice to leaders who are too busy: "80% of your time is devoted to listening as a leader. If 80% of your work day is devoted to listening, then you must make time to listen." 10:01 - Leaders learning how to practice listening: "Self-awareness is mastery." 11:17 - Checking out and checking back into the conversation: "Use powerful, open-ended questions to get back into the conversation." 12:58 - Becoming aware of the different cultures and languages: Culture is complex and influences people in many different ways. However, generally speaking, our culture influences the way that we think and express our feelings, which can create barriers to communication." 14:41 - What's in store for the Listening School: "I'm committed to impacting relationships and society." 15:26 - Not interrupting but continuing to listen even when you get bored 18:16 - An experience of how curiosity and not interrupting significantly impacted her. 22:19 - Ebele shares great tips on being self-aware and conscious of listening.   Key Takeaways: "Just be present and pay attention." - Ebele Chukwujama "Do not multitask while you're listening." - Ebele Chukwujama "Listen to understand and not to respond." - Ebele Chukwujama "Ask open-ended questions. Listening is a gift to the speaker. Together, we can impact our relationships and society while listening one ear at a time." - Ebele Chukwujama "I have watched many times the transformation that takes place when someone finally has the opportunity to be listened to. Practice makes improvement." - Ebele Chukwujama "Having that curious mind that no matter what it is, by going into a meeting, there's something everyone has to share with me. Because that's where you have the growth mindset because we learn and we grow daily." - Ebele Chukwujama Connect with Ebele Chukwujama: Website: www.thelisteningschool.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-listening-school/   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn  

Everyone has the capacity to make a difference on the social challenges that face us every day. Helping financially is one way, yet there are so many other ways we can have social impact.  Building relationships in our communities where all voices are heard and considered in a foundation building block to create a collective effort which can bring forth massive change. And sometimes, as leaders, we try out “great” solutions to people's problems, yet are surprised they don't work. Maybe this is because we fail to listen first to the very people who are impacted and who may already have the answers to the issues at hand.  In this episode, you will find out more about how giving people voice empowers significant transformational change in our communities, as a force for good.  Ramona Houston, Ph.D., PMP, has a multifaceted career as a scholar, educator, and community engagement strategist. Sought for her expertise, Ramona is widely recognized as a thought leader in African American/Latino relations. An American historian and emerging public intellectual, Ramona specializes in 20th-century American history, civil rights, and race relations, specifically its African American and Mexican American dimensions. Through her blog, Ramona explores and critically analyzes current affairs from a historical and bicultural perspective, informing readers how contemporary issues and events relate to and or affect the African American and Latino American communities.  She also devotes much of her blog to highlighting, celebrating, and promoting these two communities' history, people, culture, organizations, and events. Ramona shares her knowledge in all types of settings. She presents lectures and workshops for institutions and organizations, appears as an expert panelist and guest analyst for various programs and media outlets, and contributes print and online media columns. Through her publications and presentations, Ramona seeks to promote the importance of diverse groups working together in order to increase their capacity and effectiveness in producing positive social change. In this episode, Ramona shares how the only way to bring about a significant social impact is to listen. As she said, if we want an enormous societal impact, we need not only bring solutions we perceive to be effective,  but rather talk and listen to the very people directly affected who already know best the answer to their problems. Besides, financial reward is not the only means to consider resources; creating relationships and influence can also make all the difference.   "Everybody can contribute and do good. No matter who you are, where you live, or area of expertise. All of us have the capacity, and I would also argue the responsibility to make an impact." - Ramona Houston   Listen IN Notes: 01:11 - Ramona on realizing the power of listening: It started when he was dating her now husband, how he taught her the power of resolving conflicts and not letting them fester.  06:47 - Pause and respond: "Everybody has their timing in communication, and part of listening is being able to pause." 09:15 - What it means to have a social impact: Having social responsibility while making money. 11:47 - Showcasing social impact: "One way to express this is by instituting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategies in your business." 15:19 - How to understand the needs of people: "You understand the needs by listening to people who have the solutions." 18:53 - Breaking down and building up systemic structures: Who is often called in to do the “job” and who needs to step in to make real change. 21:29 - Voice and Empowerment: "There are many ways to look at resources. If you learn to recognize and value the various ways that people can impact your effort, you will be able to engage so many more resources and make such a greater impact."  26:07 - Looking beyond money: How some people have something else to contribute beyond just financial influence. 28:18 - Ramona celebrates her 100th podcast episode, and she reflects on her biggest surprise she had discovered. 33:24 - Empowerment across all aspects is at the root of her podcast message 35:12 - Ramona shares an empowering message 35:58 - Sharing a funny anecdote about her work and when she met Raquel.   Key Takeaways:   "With listening…You don't always have to respond immediately; you can pause and then respond." - Ramona Houston "Social impact is working with clients who believe in and embrace social responsibility, which is the business practice of doing good." - Ramona Houston "I believe that you can make money and make an impact." - Ramona Houston "It has to be not just the people who are affected by the structures to make the change, but the people who are actually holding up the structures to make the change." - Ramona Houston "I would say that leadership, in terms of making a social impact, that no matter what area that you want to address, whether it's economic, educational, political, social change, that you need to listen to the people who are actually suffering from the issues that you're trying to address. Because many times they have the solutions that you're looking for." - Ramona Houston   Notes/Mentions:  Ramona's husband who is a great listener: Terreon “Tank” Gully John Elton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John Patti Labelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_LaBelle Listen to Ramona's interview with Raquel on “The Empowerment Zone”:: https://ramonahouston.com/podcast/listen-more/   Connect with Ramona Houston: Website:  https://ramonahouston.com Website: "The Empowerment Zone." LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonahouston Twitter: @ramonahouston  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/Dr.RamonaHouston IG: @ramonahoustonpmp   Connect with Raquel Ark: www.listeningalchemy.com Mobile: + 491732340722 contact@listeningalchemy.com LinkedIn