listening SUPERPOWER podcast

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 as 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 'Benny' 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. Benny is a sports enthusiast, a proud father of three, and the vice President of People & Culture at Just Spices GmbH . Benny 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 'Benny' Achenbach SUPERPOWER Notes: 01:22 - Raquel and Benny'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 - Benny'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 Benjamin Achenbach Key Takeaways "Try to be there for yourself because when you are there for yourself, you can also be caring for others."- Benjamin Achenbach "Reflect about what you're doing every day, every second, every minute, every hour, the entire day, until your entire life is done."- Benjamin 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. "- Benjamin 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." - Benjamin Achenbach Connect with Benjamin Achenbach: Linkedin: Benjamin Achenbach 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

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