Markus van Alphen - Leadership Skills for Deeper Emotional Connections

The Legendary Leaders Podcast

Your host Cathleen engages in an impactful dialogue with the renowned leadership psychologist and author, Markus van Alphen. They discuss the nuances of saying "no," the strength found in "and" over "but," and the art of observational listening. If you've ever felt the pressure of cultural communication barriers or the ripples of emotional intelligence in the workplace, this episode will resonate with you. Here, authenticity and psychological safety are not just concepts, but practised philosophies that shape successful, innovative teams. So, take a moment to listen to the transformative ideas that Markus and Cathleen bring to the table. Get ready to be equipped with strategies that could redefine your approach to leadership. Tune in to discover how embracing empathy can unfold into your most authentic self and foster genuine connection in your personal and professional life.

Episode Timeline:

• 11:46 Challenging emotions tied to Western societal upbringing.

• 20:43 Empathy training uses role-playing for understanding.

• 26:23 Focus on one task at a time.

• 27:45 Focus on what to do, get curious.

• 35:37 Happy employees lead to better performance and retention.

• 39:54 Emotional regulation is crucial in tough situations.

• 45:04 Noticing body signals to prevent stress explosion.

• 52:06 Justify saying no can be counterproductive.

• 56:31 Saying yes to everything leads to burnout.

• 1:00 Speaking up is crucial for tech success.

• 1:07 Embracing diversity in high-tech for innovation.

• 1:18 Improve empathy through active listening.

Key Takeaways:

• Saying "No" with Power: Discover why lengthy explanations can hinder professional relationships and learn the art of concise refusal that respects both parties.

• Cultivating 'AND' Culture: We explore the subtle yet impactful shift from "but" to "and" in conversations to foster inclusivity and encourage diverse perspectives in leadership.

• The Empathetic Leader: Embrace the role of empathy in creating a safe space for innovation and understand the significance of leaders' authenticity in promoting team well-being for positive business outcomes.

ABOUT MARKUS VAN ALPHEN

Renowned leadership psychologist and author of more than 15 books in Dutch and English, Markus van Alphen developed the Observational Listening concept in 2014. Observational Listening goes a step further than active listening in understanding what an individual has to say. By observing what emotions they are experiencing, you really get the other’s story and their underlying emotions, whereby the other feels heard, seen, acknowledged and psychologically safe, resulting in increased happiness, motivation, and overall success. Observational listening augments empathic leadership in a powerful way into excellent leadership.

Find out more: https://excellent-leader.com/

Social Meida Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-excellent-leader/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusvanalphen/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkusvanAlphen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markusvanalphen/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKb14iJQMlhuMcHpSulgcBA

Connect:

Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: [e-mail]

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

Instagram: www.instagram.com/cathleenmerkel

Twitter: twitter.com/CathleenMerkel7

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