listening SUPERPOWER podcast

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 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

 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: Website: https://www.nannaholst.dk/english-version/ 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