Inner Knowing…

I’ve been doing some research on a new organization: the International Listening Association. I decided to join, and just submitted an announcement about my book, “Head, Heart & Hands Listening in Coach Practice” along with a lovely review by one of their established members -whom I met through a rare bit of synchronicity. Laura Janusik […]

The Curious Coach 1: What are You Curious About Right Now?

One of the reasons I coach is that I have always been fascinated with human behavior. Always. Even as a very small child. My parents, when they were newly married, owned a very modest row of ground level apartments. In the summertime, everyone’s back doors were wide open to the breeze, as well as the […]

Who’s Got Time to Listen??? You Do!

Sam sits in front of me shaking his head. His shoulders are hunched in frustration. His mouth is a tight line, his eyes are closed. “I just can’t accept this. I’m sorry, but there’s no way. The math just doesn’t work.” Sam is a third year medical student in a large teaching hospital. He is […]

Listening Lessons through Rhythm, Sound & Silence

My husband and I don’t get to our city’s symphony concerts often. To me, classical music, while lovely and quite uplifting when I’m in the mood for it, often feels a bit too formal for my tastes – a bit too stuffy to spend significant sums of money for.  Also, true disclosure – it brings […]

Heart Listening Challenges: Burnout & Limiting Self Perception

Powerful empathic listening is what the world most needs right now. But for those who excel in this listening style, there can be significant downsides.   Maya loved her job as a residence social worker at Harper Community. She is an empathic listener, and appeared, for a long time, to have an inexhaustible supply of […]

Shhhh! The Quiet Surprises of Silence

“Patricia” is a brilliant colleague who will NOT stop talking. Do you know someone like this? A group of us drove with Patricia for 3 hours to an educational event, and she proceeded to carry on her 1-way “conversation” for the entire drive. I kept wondering how she was able to continue this stream of […]

Empathy – Your Time-Saving Superpower!

“Brent” is not happy.  As a newly hired emergency room physician within a nationally recognized healthcare system, he has been “volun-told” to show up to a four day onsite training on “Patient-Provider Communications”, which translates in his assumption as a Colossal Waste of Time. “At least the location is decent.” he thinks as he turns […]

Stop Drop & Roll into Deeper Listening

A few years ago, when my daughter was in her gap year between high school and college, she and I went out to lunch. She had been accepted into the college she very much wanted to attend, and they had signed off on her delayed start. So as far as I knew, when I sat […]

Heads Up Doc! Listening with Empathy Can Save Lives…

I am lying on a hospital bed. I’ve just woken up from the anesthesia and I’m concerned that I can’t move my left arm or leg. The nurse told me that the doctor will be in soon to speak with me. She couldn’t give me any information about why my movement is restricted, and I’m […]

Navigating Cultural Fit with Deeper Listening: Todd’s Journey

In our rapidly evolving professional landscape, the concept of cultural “fit” takes on new dimensions. No longer is it just about aligning with the values and norms of an organization; it’s about embracing diverse perspectives and building authentic connections. The model for intentional Head Heart and Hands listening that I share in my book includes […]