What It Actually Looks Like to Choose Differently
The Leadership Break
Episode 16 | What It Actually Looks Like to Choose Differently Awareness is powerful—but it’s not enough. In this episode, we move from insight to action. What does it actually look like to choose differently in the moment—when you're triggered, challenged, or feeling defensive? Through real examples and practical language, we explore how leaders can stay in the conversation without losing themselves—and why small shifts in response can change everything. In This Episode, We Explore: Why awareness alone doesn’t change your leadership The subtle ways leaders shut down conversations...
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The 5 Seconds That Define Your Leadership
The Leadership Break
Episode 15 | The 5 Seconds That Define Your Leadership There’s a moment most leaders overlook—the few seconds right before they react. It’s not the big decisions that define your leadership. It’s the small, almost invisible moments where emotion rises and you choose what happens next. In this episode, we explore how quickly leaders can lose themselves under pressure—and how to begin noticing the patterns that shape your reactions. Because awareness is the first step toward leading yourself differently. In This Episode, We Explore: Why leadership breakdowns happen in...
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Viewing Feedback as a Gift (Without Pretending It’s Easy)
The Leadership Break
Episode 14 | Viewing Feedback as a Gift (Without Pretending It’s Easy) You’ve probably heard the phrase “feedback is a gift.” But sometimes it feels more like a brick. In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula explores how leaders can receive feedback with curiosity rather than defensiveness—and why discernment is just as important as openness. Not every piece of feedback is perfect, but thoughtful leaders know how to listen, extract insight, and grow. In this episode: Why not all feedback should be treated the same How curiosity can reduce defensiveness Learning to separate...
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Why Feedback Feels Like a Threat (and Why Leaders Get Defensive)
The Leadership Break
Episode 13 | Why Feedback Feels Like a Threat (and Why Leaders Get Defensive) Receiving feedback is part of leadership—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula explores why even thoughtful, well-intentioned leaders sometimes feel defensive when feedback is offered. Defensiveness isn’t a character flaw—it’s often a natural response to feeling that our competence, identity, or belonging is being questioned. In this conversation, Paula discusses how leaders can pause, reflect, and begin to see feedback as valuable information rather than...
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When You're Leading and You're Not the Boss - Part 2
The Leadership Break
Episode 12 | When You're Leading and You're Not the Boss - Part 2 Staying, Speaking, or Leaving With Integrity When leadership above you falls short, leaving can feel like relief. Sometimes it is the right choice. But what happens when leaders leave without ever claiming their voice? In this second episode of the series, Paula explores the deeper discernment leaders face when working under weak leadership—and how to choose a path forward without shrinking, disappearing, or abandoning self-trust. This episode isn’t about staying longer than you should. It’s about making conscious,...
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When You're Leading and You're Not the Boss - Part 1
The Leadership Break
Episode 11 | When You're Leading and You're Not the Boss - Part 1 Many capable leaders find themselves leading without the title, authority, or support that usually comes with that role and they find themselves doing their boss’s job. They’re steadying teams, holding standards, and absorbing tension—often quietly. In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula explores the most common mistake leaders make when they’re leading without authority: staying silent in the name of professionalism while frustration leaks out in other ways. This episode is an invitation to examine silence,...
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The Radical Act of Doing Something That Goes Somewhere—Slowly
The Leadership Break
Episode 10 | The Radical Act of Doing Something That Goes Somewhere—Slowly In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula reflects on a simple but challenging practice: creating a temperature blanket, one row at a time, over the course of a year. What begins as a hobby becomes a lesson in patience, restraint, and sustained commitment. For leaders in the quiet middle, progress is rarely dramatic—but it is meaningful. This episode explores why slow, steady effort can feel uncomfortable, how leaders “bring the weather” for their teams, and what it looks like to model a humane pace in a...
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Mentorship Without a Pedestal - Guiding while Still Becoming
The Leadership Break
Episode 9 | Mentorship without a Pedestal – Guiding while still Becoming Mentorship is often portrayed as a polished exchange of wisdom — the expert guiding from a place of certainty. But real mentorship rarely looks like that. In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula explores a more honest, human approach to mentoring: guiding others while you’re still growing yourself. This conversation is for seasoned, trusted leaders who’ve been asked to mentor — and quietly wondered if they’re really ready. You’ll hear why mentorship isn’t about having all the answers, but about...
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The Power of Staying: Leading when work feels ordinary
The Leadership Break
Episode 8 | The Power of Staying: Leading When the Work Feels Ordinary In a culture that constantly celebrates what’s new, bold, and next, choosing to stay can feel uncomfortable — even irresponsible. Especially for leaders. We’re often told that growth means movement, reinvention, or a big leap forward. But what if that’s not always true? In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula explores the quiet, often overlooked strength of staying. The seasons of leadership where the work feels ordinary, steady, or less visible — yet deeply meaningful. These are the moments when trust...
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The Moment You Outgrow a Role
The Leadership Break
The Leadership Break Season 2, Episode 7 - The Moment You Outgrow a Role Episode Summary: How do you know when it’s time to grow, shift, or step into a new chapter of leadership? In this episode, Paula explores the subtle signals that show up long before we consciously realize we've outgrown a role — the restlessness, the quiet fatigue, the sense that our work no longer stretches us in the ways it once did. You’ll hear how to distinguish exhaustion from evolution, why “outgrowing” isn’t failure but feedback, and what healthy discernment looks like when you’re standing in a...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula Chapulis dives into the art of active listening—a foundational yet often overlooked leadership skill. Discover how mastering active listening can transform your team’s communication, foster trust, and boost performance. Paula shares personal insights, practical tips, and actionable strategies to help you enhance this critical skill in your leadership journey.
Key Topics Covered:
- What is Active Listening?
- Active listening involves being fully present, engaged, and empathetic while tuning into both verbal and nonverbal communication.
- It’s about listening to understand, not just to respond.
- Why Active Listening Matters in Leadership
- Builds trust and psychological safety.
- Strengthens team relationships and collaboration.
- Facilitates better decision-making by truly understanding others’ perspectives.
- Core Elements of Active Listening
- Presence and Attention: Eliminate distractions and focus on the speaker.
- Empathy and Understanding: Validate feelings and understand intentions beyond words.
- Clarification and Curiosity: Ask thoughtful questions to ensure clarity and foster deeper conversations.
- Nonverbal Communication: Use body language to demonstrate attentiveness and interpret unspoken cues.
- Reflection and Paraphrasing: Summarize and reflect on key points to confirm understanding.
- Nonjudgmental Space: Create an environment that encourages openness and honesty.
- Actionable Feedback: Offer thoughtful responses that align with the speaker’s needs.
- Avoid Interruptions: Allow others to fully express their thoughts before responding.
- Overcome Common Barriers: Address distractions, biases, and emotional reactions.
- Practical Strategies for Leaders
- Incorporate active listening into team interactions to foster better communication.
- Use tools like noticing, observing, sharing impacts, and collaborating on solutions for feedback.
Key Takeaways:
- Active listening is a skill that requires intention, effort, and practice. It’s not just about hearing words but truly understanding and connecting with the speaker.
- As a leader, practicing active listening sets the tone for your team, enhances psychological safety, and strengthens relationships.
Quote of the Episode:
"Active listening is a powerful tool in your leadership toolkit. By truly hearing your team, you can build stronger relationships and drive better outcomes."
Call to Action:
- Share your thoughts or questions with Paula by emailing her at paula@aiyanacoaching.com.
- Stay tuned for more insights on leadership and communication in upcoming episodes of The Leadership Break.
Let us know how active listening has impacted your leadership journey! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.
Music by Chris Collins, https://indiemusicbox.com/