Jeff Wetzler, co-founder of Transcend and an expert in human potential, shares powerful insights on enhancing leadership through curiosity. He emphasizes that what we often overlook are our unchallenged assumptions and how they can impact our organizations. The discussion reveals how curiosity not only fosters empathy but also sparks vital questions that lead to breakthroughs. Wetzler also reflects on a transformative Uber encounter, highlighting the importance of dialogue in overcoming biases and the role of open communication in nurturing team dynamics.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Uber Ride Sparks Curiosity
Jeff Wetzler shared an Uber ride story where an initial symbol triggered fear but curiosity led to an enlightening conversation.
This transformed his worldview by humanizing someone behind a controversial symbol and finding common ground.
insights INSIGHT
Assumptions Limit Reality
We often mistake our initial assumptions for full reality, missing the bigger picture.
Our brains latch quickly onto one interpretation and ignore other valuable information.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Spot Hidden Feedback Cues
Notice repeated questions or micro-suggestions as they can be clues to hidden concerns.
Use these cues to get curious instead of dismissing them as trivial.
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Ask, tap into the hidden wisdom of people around you for unexpected breakthroughs in leadership and life
Ask, tap into the hidden wisdom of people around you for unexpected breakthroughs in leadership and life
Jeff Wetzler
The Coaching Habit
Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever
Michael Bungay Stanier
In 'The Coaching Habit,' Michael Bungay Stanier provides a straightforward and effective approach to coaching. Drawing on his extensive experience training managers worldwide, he introduces seven essential coaching questions designed to help managers unlock their team's potential. These questions include the Kickstart Question, the AWE Question, the Lazy Question, the Strategic Question, the Focus Question, the Foundation Question, and the Learning Question. The book emphasizes the importance of saying less and asking more, fostering a collaborative and empowering work environment. It combines practical advice with research in neuroscience and behavioral economics, making coaching a daily, informal part of managerial work rather than a formal event.
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Dynamic Techniques for Turning Fear, Indecision, and Anger into Power, Action, and Love
Susan Jeffers
In this book, Susan Jeffers offers dynamic techniques to help readers overcome their fears and take action towards their goals. The book emphasizes the importance of facing fears head-on, developing a stronger mindset, and taking small steps towards achieving goals despite fear. Jeffers also discusses the root of all fears as the belief that one cannot handle what happens, and provides tools to build confidence and manage thoughts positively. The book has been highly recommended by many therapists and business leaders for its practical and inspiring approach to managing fear and achieving personal growth.
Jeff Wetzler: Ask
Jeff Wetzler is co-Founder of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization, and an expert in learning and human potential. His experience spans 25+ years in business and education, as a management consultant to top corporations, a learning facilitator for leaders, and as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America. He’s the author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life*.
We place our organizations at risk when we miss stuff. Often, the things we miss aren’t what we don’t know. Instead, they are the assumptions we don’t even question. In this conversation, Jeff and I explore the practices that work to find what’s missing.
Key Points
Hidden feedback cues:
Repeated questions or suggestions about seemingly small details.
Increased involvement in tactical decisions.
Unexpected decreases in engagement.
Benefits of curiosity:
When We’re Curious About People, They Like Us More
Coaching for Leaders 
