Laura Crandall - Mastering Workplace Communication

The Legendary Leaders Podcast

Join Cathleen as she delves into the art of communication and connection with the remarkable Laura Crandall. Renowned for her expertise in fostering communication and human connection within the corporate framework. Laura is a communications expert and the author of Working with Humans.

In this riveting conversation, they unpack the art of active listening, the magic of managing with lightheartedness, and the significance of honing those all-too-often undervalued fundamental social skills in the workplace.

They explore the transformative power of simply being present and how mastering the basics, such as direct communication, can alleviate misunderstandings and bolster trust. So, whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting, get ready to dive deep into what it means to navigate the complexities of the workplace with empathy, clarity, and a touch of humour.

Episode Timeline:

• 11:21 Book discusses essential skills for human interaction.

• 19:56 Leadership requires empathy, influence, mentoring, and manners.

• 25:47 Value time, courtesy, and foundational behaviors.

• 30:32 Reexamining priorities and reclaiming social interactions.

• 35:59 Acknowledge issues, find humour, and encourage open communication.

• 38:44 Leveraging energy and playfulness for work success.

• 47:05 Key questions to consider for effective communication.

• 49:59 Prioritise relationships, not just shiny new tools.

• 58:11 Focus on the process, not just output.

• 01:01 Living in alignment with your values is important.

• 01:06 Balancing academic rigour with self-confidence and authenticity.

• 01:14 Helping leaders understand and change problematic behaviour.

• 01:16 Expertly navigating difficult conversations by building foundations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Presence. Both Laura and Cathleen advocate for the importance of being wholly present in conversations, affirming that active listening is integral to saving time, uncovering essential details, and deepening relationships.

• Back to Basics. Good workplace communication is paralleled with an excellent Italian meal; it's about high-quality fundamental ingredients like manners, acknowledgment, and showing genuine interest in others that build trust and create a positive environment.

• Humanity in Leadership. Embracing your true self, incorporating playfulness, and acknowledging personal and others’ successes can lead to a more fulfilling and productive work culture, countering the stress of performance pressures.

ABOUT LAURA CRANDALL:

Laura Crandall founded her management consulting firm, Slate Communication, in 2009. For over thirty years, she has worked in and consulted with industries that include manufacturing, journalism, hospitality, and academia; fifteen of those years were spent managing teams. Her work is dedicated to helping people within organizations discover and develop foundational management and communication skills—the background skills we assume everyone has, but rarely discuss. In her new book, Working With Humans, Laura shares the essential but generally ignored tools needed to communicate, manage, and lead with the quality that most workplaces are lacking: humanity. Laura earned her master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she studied cognitive neuroscience and organizational behavior.

Website: https://lauracrandall.com/

Book: https://workingwithhumans.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauracrandalledm/

Connect:

Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: www.cathleenmerkel.com

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel-2b0991151

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