Podcast Insights for Professionals

Many of my podcast episodes will make you better at your job, but a select few will make you better at life. Today's episode is one of the latter. Carole Robin, Ph.D. spent 20+ years teaching a class called Interpersonal Dynamics, affectionately known as “Touchy Feely” at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. After leaving Stanford, she founded a nonprofit called Leaders In Tech, which applies the Touchy Feely principles to help Silicon Valley executives build their leadership and interpersonal skills. Carole also co-authored the popular book Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues, which shares key insights from her decades of teaching these courses. In our conversation, we discuss: 🔸 How vulnerability makes you a stronger leader 🔸 Why mental models you build early in life hold you back later 🔸 The 15% rule of disclosure 🔸 The art of inquiry 🔸 The three realities and “the net” 🔸 Practical tips for avoiding defensiveness when getting (and giving) feedback 🔸 The impact of long Covid on Carole’s life 🔸 Much more Listen now 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ejqmeUv2 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/egW9afwc - Apple: https://lnkd.in/eQw2HxcS Some key takeaways: 1. When giving feedback, remember that in any interaction between two people, there are three realities: - Reality 1 includes their motives and intent - Reality 2 is what they say and do - Reality 3 is the impact of their behavior on you 2. Embrace the 15% rule: By pushing yourself just 15% beyond your current boundaries, you can create opportunities for growth and deepen connections with others. This approach allows you to gauge your comfort level and adjust gradually, avoiding overwhelming discomfort while still fostering meaningful progress. 3. You should address minor irritations (“pinches”) before they escalate into major conflicts (“crunches”). Early identification and resolution of pinches promotes honest relationships and minimizes the expected pain of a crunch. 4. When someone responds in a way you didn’t expect, ask them, “What did you hear me say?” Most of the time, the other person heard something incorrect. Follow up with “I’m glad I asked; let me try that again.” 5. When seeking to understand someone’s motives and intent, inquire genuinely without judgment. Avoid asking “why” questions, as they provoke defensiveness. Instead ask what, when, where, and how to gain insight into their perspective. 6. Don’t use phrases like “I feel that” or “I feel like,” as these often lead to statements rather than emotional expressions. Instead, use “I feel” followed by an actual feeling word. This simple change is more likely to result in a connection with the other person.

𝗔 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 💡 Once in a while, I explore YouTube for podcasts that motivate and educate me to a level that builds or redesigns my thought process, and that’s when I came across this video by this YouTuber, finance with Sharan. The entire interaction between Sharan and Mr. Rajendran, one of the founding members of Zoho, was very stimulating and inspiring, and it was Zoho’s phenomenal story that provided me with critical lessons on leadership, flexibility, and personal development. 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: ☑️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲: Pivoting and honing are vital for any endeavor. Zoho’s success story is illustrative in this: all success is derived from being able to make changes and improve over long periods. In leadership and HR, this lesson is priceless. Firms and people who choose to embrace change thrive during periods of uncertainty. ☑️ 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁: It is worth noting how Zoho makes independence a priority and how they achieve it. It is one of the more astonishing parts of the company’s narrative to develop its own technology and build a robust culture internally. Their approach with Zoho Workplace, a fully integrated suite of communication and collaboration tools, is a great example of this independence in action - offering businesses a powerful alternative that prioritizes security, flexibility, and seamless workflows. It goes to show that investing in people, as well as long-term vision rather than short-term objectives, leads to tremendous success 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱: authentic leadership extends beyond the business domain and entails impact, innovation, and resilience. Do you have a story about a particular company that caught your attention? Would love to know your views! 👇 #Innovation #Networking #Zohocorp #HRInsights #GrowthMindset #Leadership

Many leaders avoid it like a profit warning. Personal storytelling. It takes courage to be vulnerable. But it creates trust, connection and meaning.  The things that make up high-performance teams. The good news: everyone can master the craft. The best teachers are the folks at The Moth – a global storytelling phenomenon spanning live events, books and a podcast. They have distilled their time-honed process in their most recent book "How to Tell a Story". Here are 7 powerful strategies to unlock your most compelling personal narratives: 🔹 1. Tap into your "multitude of stories" Forget chasing inspiration on social media or podcasts – your own life is overflowing with potential narratives. Start by mining your memories for those hidden gems. Ask: “What was the first/last/worst time like?” Your story = your struggles. 🔹 2. Not all stories are epic Forget the epic quest or life story. Often the small moments hold more power. It's about finding meaning in the everyday. Focus on a specific timeframe and tell it in detail. 🔹 3. Structure for impact, not length Be a raconteur, not a rambler. The Moth stories are personal and only ten minutes long. Use proven narrative structures for dramatic effect. The key is to leave out what's not essential. 🔹 4. Remember, don’t memorize Learn to deliver your stories with confidence, presence, and genuine connection. Never memorize full stories. You just need to know where you're going. Instead, memorize only the first and last lines of your story. 🔹 5. Be vulnerable Being vulnerable creates trust – they want to meet the real you. People are not here to hear an embellished story or performative storytelling. Tell them what happened and how it made you feel. 🔹 6. Make people feel something Instead of a boring list of events, focus on details and evoke emotion to bring your story to life. Show, don't tell. Engage your audience's senses. 🔹 7. Transformation is key Every story, big or small, documents a change. Who were you at the beginning, and who were you at the end? How did the events change you physically, situationally, emotionally, behaviorally, or attitudinally? This change fuels the stakes of your story. Ready to tell stories that move, inspire, and connect? This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to become a more effective and engaging communicator. ♻ Please share to help your network and follow me Oliver Aust for daily tips on leadership communication.

When I started sharing my speaking journey publicly, everything changed. The traditional business advice says "fake it till you make it." But after working with hundreds of entrepreneurs, I've learned something counterintuitive: your biggest breakthrough comes from being transparently vulnerable about your struggles. I was on a call with a successful founder last week. When I asked if he'd spoken at conferences, he froze. "I can't even handle team meetings without sweating." When I shared my own speaking disaster story, forgetting my entire opening at a 500-person conference, something beautiful happened. He realized everyone wanted him to succeed, not fail. Here's what I learned about building in public through transparent speaking: 1. Vulnerability Broadcasting  Share your panic attacks, forgotten openings, and sweaty moments openly. Building your confidence journey in public permits others to be human. Your struggles become someone else's breakthrough story. Speaking fears are universal, your transparency breaks the shame cycle. Others see that success isn't about perfection, it's about persistence. 2. Story Stack Development  Document your 5 go-to stories for any situation and share them. Building your narrative library in public creates accountability for authenticity. Your stories become templates for other entrepreneurs to adapt. Transparency about your frameworks helps others structure their own experiences. 3. Confidence Protocol Sharing  Show your exact pre-speech routine and why it works. Building your confidence systems in public creates replicable frameworks. Your meditation, breathing, and preparation become roadmaps for others. 4. Authority Multiplier Transparency Document how one speech creates 50+ opportunities. Building your authority systems in public shows the compound effect. Your podcast invitations and connection requests become proof of concept. Transparency about speaking ROI motivates others to overcome their fears. 5. Failure Reframe Strategy Share how disasters become your best teaching moments. Building your resilience story in public transforms setbacks into comebacks. Your 15 seconds of silence become someone else's courage catalyst. Transparency about recovery shows that perfection isn't the goal. Others learn that audiences want value, not flawless delivery. This isn't just about becoming a better speaker, it's about creating beautiful, systemized, and impactful ways to share your expertise with the world. When you build your speaking journey in public, you're not just overcoming fears. You're showing other entrepreneurs that their voice matters and their message deserves to be heard. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Curious how this could look inside your business? DM me ‘System’ and I’ll walk you through how we help clients make it happen. This is for high-commitment founders only.

A Journey of Growth, One Conversation at a Time - 🎙️ Ever had a moment when you look back and realize how much you’ve grown—not just professionally, but personally? Hosting the 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 has been one of those experiences for me. Every episode has been a deep dive into the minds of leaders who’ve navigated their own shifts. And honestly, after each conversation, I walked away with more than just insights—I gained a new perspective on what it means to truly embrace change. Reflecting on this journey, I’m reminded that growth doesn’t come from staying in our comfort zones. It comes from stepping into the unknown, learning continuously, and connecting with others who can guide us along the way. These aren’t just themes I’ve observed—they’re lessons I’ve felt deeply after every episode. Here are the 𝐭𝐨𝐩 3 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 that have really stood out: 1. 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞: Change is inevitable, and how we respond is key. Our guests highlighted the importance of embracing change with courage, whether it’s planned or unexpected. 💪🌟 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Ask yourself, "What’s the worst that could happen?" Often, the potential rewards are worth the risk. 🚀 2. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: In a constantly evolving world, staying still isn’t an option. Our guests emphasized the need to keep learning and stay curious. 📚🌍 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Dedicate time each week to learn something new, no matter how small. It keeps you growing and relevant. 🔄 3. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Mentorship is about building connections that guide your career. It’s been a pivotal element for many of our guests, both as mentors and mentees. 🤝✨ 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Seek out a mentor for guidance, and if you can, offer mentorship to others. It’s mutually beneficial. 🌱 I’ve taken these powerful themes and distilled them —𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 3 Tips from each episode. It’s a quick, actionable guide to help you apply these lessons to your own career journey. Whether you’re considering a career shift, looking for inspiration, or just curious about how others navigate change, this carousel has something for you. Stay Connected—The Journey Has Just Begun! If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, there's a lot more to come: New Guests, New Stories, and more. Stay Tuned! And don’t forget to subscribe to the 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫—it’s where I share deeper insights, exclusive content, and updates on what’s coming next. We’re all on this journey together, learning, growing, and adapting. Thank you, Prabir Jha, Phani Pattamatta, Raja Krishnamoorthy, Nathan SV, Harjeet Khanduja, Shyam Sadasivan, Neeraja Ganesh, Deepshikha Kumar, Tarun Nallu, Abhijit Bhaduri, Jon Younger PhD, Vikas Dua, Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh, and Moritz Kaffsack for joining me on Career Shifts. Also, a big thanks to all of you; you helped me make this show a great success! #CareerShifts #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Mentorship #Podcast

Most of the AI conversation in the workplace has been focused on individual reskilling. But what if that’s the wrong starting point? I joined Kartik Hosanagar and Gautam Tambay on the Creative Intelligence podcast to explore what workforce development should really look like in an AI-enabled world, and I offered this perspective: Instead of asking, “How will this role change?” We should be asking, “How should the way we work together change?” Even after the massive disruption of the pandemic, only 15% of teams have fundamentally changed how they collaborate. We moved from boardrooms to Zoom rooms… and then mostly back again. But AI agents are an opportunity to reimagine workflows altogether. → What if the role doesn’t just change but disappears because the workflow has evolved? → What if reskilling is about redesigning how work gets done in partnership with those tools? In this episode, we talk about: - The real threat and opportunity of AI for knowledge work - Why collaboration is the skill of the future - How to build teams that are adaptive, not reactive Listen here: https://lnkd.in/e6qcHgvB

I had the privilege of being on Simon Sinek podcast. I never expected him to do this. What struck me wasn't just his "Start With Why" philosophy. It was how he made space for MY expertise to shine. Here's what real thought leadership looks like: Simon could have dominated that conversation. He has millions of followers, bestselling books, global recognition. Instead, he asked questions that let me go deeper into Change Enthusiasm. He built on my ideas. He made connections I hadn't even seen. That's the mark of true authority. Confident leaders don't need to be the smartest person in the room. They need to make the room smarter. Here's what I learned from watching Simon lead that conversation: 1. Curiosity is more powerful than certainty He asked questions he genuinely wanted answers to     2. Great leaders are great teachers He helped his audience understand my work, not just his     3. Influence grows when you lift others He didn't see my expertise as competition, he saw it as collaboration     4. Authenticity can't be performed His genuine interest in human potential was unmistakable     This is what the speaking industry needs more of. Leaders who use their platforms to elevate others, not just themselves. The future belongs to thought leaders who think beyond themselves. Who show up to GIVE, not to GET. Who create movements, not just content. Who build communities, not just audiences. Who ask better questions, not just give better answers. Thank you, Simon, for modeling what authentic influence looks like. Your impact isn't just in your message, it's in how you make space for others to share theirs. (✨ Check out the full episode in comments)

sharing personal stories is powerful because it builds connection, trust, and relatability. but there’s a very thin line between “relatable” and just too much information so here are my recommendations for when you want to share a personal story: 1. for personal stuff: tell stories you’ve processed and learned from, not ones you’re still in the middle of emotionally. i don’t believe that should be processed with strangers on the internet so share from the scar, not the open wound. 2. with professional, educational and motivational stuff, there’s more room for a progress story without harming your privacy, because you shouldn’t have to wait till you’re blown before you can teach or share from your own experience. 3. decide your boundaries before you start sharing — what’s on the table, and what’s private, what will you never share? also, consider your future ambitions. do you plan to run for office? are you called to ministry? do you plan to work in diplomacy, sit on corporate boards, build a family-friendly brand, or become a media personality? these roles come with reputations to protect, and the internet never forgets. let this help you determine what to share or not because you can’t speak like everyone else who doesn't have the same goal. and finally, always tie your story back to your audience. ask yourself: will this help, inspire, or teach them? or am I  just venting? if you just need to let out some steam, please vent to your friends or therapist. you can be open without being exposed. the goal is connection, and you don’t need to put your whole life on display for that.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in leadership is that you don’t have to be the expert. In fact, often, not being the expert can be an advantage in pulling together a great team that delivers fantastic outcomes. For someone who has spent much of my life in engineering businesses, I have a rather unusual background - I’m not an engineer nor a distribution expert. My degree is in food sciences and agriculture, and I trained as an accountant. Before stepping into industry, I spent 12 years as an investment banker in London and New York. What this background has taught me is the value of building a diverse team and trusting them to deliver… whilst providing a bit of coaching along the way. I have never believed I could engineer anything better than the engineers I’ve had the privilege to work with, nor make better people judgements than the people team . Instead, my role has always been about facilitating success - creating an environment where diverse talent can work effectively together as an aligned team, allowing everyone to contribute by empowering them doing what they do best in pursuit of common objectives. In engineering and beyond, the key to success lies in empowering people. It’s about enabling teams to recognise and truly understand the needs of the customers they serve and to develop efficient and effective solutions to the problems they and other stakeholders face. As leaders, we don’t need to have all the answers. Our job is to make sure we create the right culture and ask the relevant questions, and then provide the space, resources and support to let talented individuals work effectively together to find the best solution. No matter your industry or discipline, success is never about the contribution of one person. It’s about trust, collaboration, and creating a space where everyone can contribute to their full potential. #Engineering #Leadership #Trust #WeAreRS

Part of the goal of The Edge of Work is to uncover what’s new and happening on the ground by learning from the strategies and work of global talent and learning leaders. This year, I’ve spoken with more than 50 leaders across industries about critical priorities and initiatives shaping the talent lifecycle. Here are just a few of the conversations which are featured on the podcast: 🔈 Jayney Howson (SVP, Head of Global Learning, ServiceNow): On ServiceNow University, its impact, and how AI is reshaping learning at ServiceNow and beyond. 🔈 Ruth Hickin (VP, Workforce Innovation, Salesforce): On workforce innovation and how Salesforce is preparing employees for the age of AI and enabling talent mobility. 🔈 Maya Razon (Leadership Development, Google): On designing learning that sticks and the mission behind The Google School for Leaders. 🔈 Tina Gupta(SVP, Talent Management, New York Life): On driving talent transformation at a 180-year-old company. 🔈 Carole N. Bennett, PhD (VP, Talent Management & Development, Sutter Health): On building talent strategy across a healthcare ecosystem and creating a true “career home” for employees. 🔈 Chris Louie (Head of Talent Development, Thomson Reuters): On empowering employees to own their careers, building systems and scaffolding to support them, and adopting AI in the workflow. You can find the links to these episodes in the comments (or tune in on your favorite podcast app). If you give any of them a listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts!