Episode 3 / Active listening

Motivation is a driving force for success in most areas of life. Our energy levels and desire to complete some tasks over others are influenced by intrinsic factors such as purpose, growth and curiosity from which we derive personal fulfilment. We’re also influenced by extrinsic factors including promotions, pay rises and bonuses. Irrespective of what works best for you personally, motivating others requires you to issue a call to arms, allow autonomy, and recognise and reward.

The explosion of digital technologies over the last 30 years catalysed a new era of remote human collaboration. The global pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and resulted in most knowledge workers operating from home. Supporting this change are countless tools designed specifically to enable remote collaboration. The challenge we all face is which ones to choose and how to get the best out of them.

We make thousands of decisions everyday - often automatically - using mental shortcuts we’ve created over years of life experience. Which is why we are often overconfident about the likely outcomes of our judgements. The human decision-making process is complicated and influenced by emotions, environmental noise and our own conscious and unconscious biases - and we get it wrong all the time. You can improve this important skill by leaning on data and expertise, choosing a proven methodology and being less confident.

Setting goals can help you become more successful in your life - both professionally and personally. There are many different types of goals and numerous frameworks for defining them. In this episode we cover the benefits and common traps associated with goal-setting, and talk through three ways you improve your goal setting starting today: 1. Set the right goals, 2. Link habits and 3. Share accountability. Done properly setting goals can give you clearer focus, increase efficiency and help you become more successful.

Our time is more precious than ever because the boundary between our work and home lives is now so blurred. Many days feels like back-to-back Zoom calls - at the end of which we’re emotionally and physically drained. We’re all doing more hours than we should be, and making progress on important initiatives feels like wading through treacle. Managing your time better is one way you can tackle your current challenges and course correct towards success.

Active listening is a powerful skill that will enable you to engage emotionally with others, gain new knowledge, and help you build stronger connections. We all know that it’s important to be a good listener - but how can you become one? This episode unpacks the science behind why humans find listening so hard, as well as the benefits of mastering this critical communication technique. We finish by sharing three tips on how to start developing your active listening skills today.

Telling great stories is a skill, and one that we can all benefit from improving. Whether at home or in the workplace, stories can illustrate,  emphasise and embed the message we want to communicate. When we’re focussed on the audience, well prepared and demonstrate passion, we tell better stories and are capable of inspiring and influencing others. Telling great stories engages an audience in a unique way and enables us to make deep and lasting emotional connections.

Rejection is one of the most common negative emotional feelings we experience in daily life. Being part of the modern workforce increases the chances of professional rejection, and today's always-on digital world means we're all connected to thousands of other people, any of whom might ignore us. In this episode we dive into why and how rejection happens, and what you can do to build resilience and overcome it.

Join Alastair and Kiran for their debut podcast series and discover bitesize practical tips on improving your performance. This first series tackles eight of the biggest current workplace challenges and empowers you to grow as an individual. Alastair Cole and Kiran Gill are certified in NLP, innovation facilitation and performance coaching. Alastair has 20+ yrs experience in technology and innovation leadership, business development and organisational transformation. Kiran Gill has 15+ yrs experience in frontline complex sales in finance and technology. Listen Now and boost your performance at work!