861: Helping Others Feel Heard, Valued, and Understood through Active Listening with Heather Younger

This podcast episode explores the importance of active listening in the workplace and how it can improve employee satisfaction and customer experiences. Heather Younger, an expert in workplace culture and employee engagement, shares insights from her book "The Art of Active Listening." She emphasizes the need for individuals to feel heard and valued, and highlights the impact that active listening can have on relationships and outcomes. The episode also introduces a five-step framework for effective communication, which includes recognizing the unsaid, seeking to understand, decoding, taking action, and closing the loop. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the value of paraphrasing and conflict resolution in communication, as well as the importance of delivering a thoughtful and caring gift to others.