Willeke van Rijn - What is the world that we want to see?

Welcome to Glad You Asked, a show about how active listening can help you build stronger connections with folks in your life, personally and professionally.

Episode OverviewThis episode’s questions:Guest question (Willeke): What is the world that we want to see?

Martha’s question: What are your personal leadership and management styles and why?

Listener question Bernard Ross of MC Consulting: What are two to three ways the social impact sector can help to build a more equitable society?

Action Item:Explore Martha’s question about leadership and management styles. What's your style and why? Reminder, if you don't manage another staffer, that doesn't mean you aren't a leader. Think about what you do daily, weekly, monthly to lead, and how you manage relationships with your colleagues, with your boss, with your donors, etc.

#6 Active Listening Key Element: Summarizing

Summarizing in active listening involves condensing the speaker's main points, core ideas, and underlying emotions into your own words. This technique verifies your understanding, makes the speaker feel validated, and naturally transitions the conversation toward resolution or the next topic.

#7 Active Listening Key Element: Empathy

Empathy is the cornerstone of active listening. It requires suspending judgment and setting aside personal biases to genuinely understand the speaker's emotions and perspective. Rather than simply waiting for your turn to speak, empathic listening builds trust, defuses conflict, and fosters deep emotional connection.

Martha’s 5 priorities as a leader:

Authenticity, accessibility, empathy, transparency, vulnerability

Resources & Links:Resource Alliance