268: How Can Top Corporate Leaders Use Negotiation to Drive Unstoppable Success? Unlocking Secrets with Kwame Christian
Release Date: 12/11/2024
278: Radical Empathy at Work: Stories from 'I See You!
Workday Playdate
Think empathy is just a “soft skill”? Think again. It’s your leadership superpower—one that builds trust, fuels innovation, and keeps teams engaged. But here’s the kicker: real empathy isn’t just about feeling—it’s about leading with it. In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin takes you beyond the pages of her book I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy to unpack the ripple effect it’s had on leaders, teams, and workplaces over the past year. From boardrooms to book clubs, keynote stages to personal breakthroughs, this book has...
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Snack 1: How to Let Empathy Shape Your Leadership Style
Workday Playdate
Welcome to Workday Playdate—new name, same mission, more fun! If you're a leader looking to energize your team, you're in the right place. You care about your people, but leadership can feel like an uphill battle—burnout, disengagement, awkward silences. Sound familiar? Enter: Radical Empathy. In today’s Workday Playdate “Snack,” Erin gives you a quick win improv activity that you can try in your next meeting: 1. Ask: “What’s been your biggest challenge this week?” 2. Listen. Repeat back what they said in your own words. 3. Say: “If I...
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277: Why Wendy Gonzalez Fires Herself Every Year, and Why You Should Too!
Workday Playdate
Radical empathy in leadership isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer. But practicing it? That takes intention, self-awareness, and a willingness to evolve. In this episode of the improve it! Podcast, Erin sits down with Wendy Gonzalez to dive deep into what it truly means to lead with radical empathy. Wendy is the CEO at Sama and is passionate about building high-performing, high-functioning teams that develop and scale innovative, impactful technology. Wendy shares her bold philosophy of "firing yourself" annually—a practice that keeps leaders accountable to the ever-changing...
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276: Lead with Empathy in 2025: The 2-Step Shortcut
Workday Playdate
Empathy at work (and outside of work) is simpler than you think, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In Episode 276 of the improve it! Podcast, Erin discusses why mastering empathy will unlock deeper connections, increase employee engagement, and give you more meaningful results. Erin gives you her 2-step shortcut for leading with empathy that you can bring to work tomorrow. She also gives you the deets on the improv game that you can play 100% of the time in your head to help you be more empathetic. If you’re working on training your empathy muscles this year—this is the episode for...
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275: From Hot Mess to Goal-Getter: Real Talk on Intentions
Workday Playdate
What if the secret to empowering your team and reclaiming your day wasn’t about setting more goals, but about leading with intention? Imagine turning your 'hot mess' moments into clear, purpose-driven leadership—this framework will show you how. 1. Self-Reflection: Know Your "Hot Mess" Moments Before you can set meaningful intentions, you need to identify where you are today. Effective leadership begins with self-awareness. Take time to reflect on your strengths, blind spots, and the patterns that hold you back. For instance, imagine a manager overwhelmed by endless meetings and...
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274: Step Into Their Shoes: Intentional Empathy with Virtual Reality with Vivian Acquah
Workday Playdate
Vivian Acquah is paving the way for more inclusive and equitable workplaces. She’s not just a DEI consultant; she’s a force of nature dedicated to helping leaders like you create cultures where everyone belongs. As the founder of Amplify DEI, Vivian combines innovation, empathy, and practical tools to inspire lasting change. You can connect with her on LinkedIn at the link below and get ready to feel inspired. In this episode of the improve it! Podcast, Vivian and Erin get real about how to show up for your team and for yourself. They dive into everything from intention setting to the...
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273: Hey, Overthinkers! Let’s Simplify Your Intentions
Workday Playdate
Are you stuck in the endless loop of overthinking? Maybe you’ve rewritten the same email five times, hesitated to act on a great idea, or turned your to-do list into a novel. Overthinking doesn’t just waste time—it keeps you from living fully. In today’s episode, Erin tackles how to break free from the analysis paralysis and take intentional, meaningful steps forward. Here’s what you need to know: 1. The Problem with Overthinking Overthinking might feel like preparation, but it often paralyzes us instead. As Erin discusses in the episode, overthinking shows up as rehearsing perfect...
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272: How Can You Eliminate Imposter Syndrome to Optimize Your Performance with Victoria Jenn Rodriguez
Workday Playdate
Imposter syndrome—two words that can stop even the most ambitious professionals in their tracks. But what if we told you that it’s not a roadblock, but a signal of growth? In today's episode, Erin sits down with the inspiring Victoria Jenn Rodriguez to flip the script on imposter syndrome. Victoria reveals why feeling like an imposter can actually be a good thing, and shares powerful strategies for overcoming self-doubt while leveling up in life and work. Here are five standout lessons from Erin's convo with Victoria: 1. Imposter Syndrome is a Sign of Growth Victoria Jenn reframes...
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271: Spark Joy, Set Goals: Intentional Leadership Tips that Work
Workday Playdate
What if the key to thriving under pressure was simpler than you thought? In today’s episode, Erin tackles one of the toughest challenges leaders face: staying positive and intentional during high-pressure situations. Whether you're leading a team through tight deadlines or navigating unpredictable circumstances, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with clarity and joy. Below are five key takeaways from the episode, giving you the tools to transform stress into an opportunity for intentional leadership: 1. Set the Stage: Define Your Leadership "Why" Intentional...
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270: Lessons, Laughs & Leadership: improve it! Podcast Year in Review
Workday Playdate
2024 was a year of radical insights, heartfelt stories, and transformative lessons in leadership—and we’re wrapping it all up with a bang! If you’re ready to relive the top moments that took your leadership game from ‘meh’ to magnificent, buckle up because this isn’t just a recap; it’s your ultimate guide to starting 2025 stronger, more inspired, and more intentional than ever before. In this post, we’re summarizing the five most impactful takeaways from our top episodes, as shared by the incredible improve it! team. Whether you’re leading in the boardroom or in your...
info_outlineDid you know that you negotiate every single day—and not just in boardrooms or sales meetings?
From discussing PTO with your boss to deciding dinner plans with your partner, negotiation is everywhere.
But how often do we approach these conversations with strategy and confidence?
In this episode of the Improve It! Podcast, Erin uncovers the secrets to navigating everyday negotiations with expert Kwame Christian.
Kwame Christian is a renowned negotiation expert, speaker, and author, with years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate difficult conversations with confidence.
He is the Director of the American Negotiation Institute and the author of the acclaimed book Finding Confidence in Conflict.
Here are 5 of our favorite takeaways from the conversation:
1. Negotiation Is Everywhere
Kwame challenges listeners to recognize that negotiation happens far beyond formal boardroom settings. Whether asking for time off, resolving workplace conflicts, or navigating personal relationships, we negotiate daily. Becoming aware of these moments is the first step toward mastering them.
P.S. - If you’re interested in learning more about negotiation from top experts in the field, try this episode on for size: Episode 231: Ready to Negotiate Like a Pro in High-Stake Conversations? Tune in with FBI Insider Chris Voss
2. The Compassionate Curiosity Framework
Kwame introduces a simple yet effective three-step method for approaching challenging conversations:
1. Acknowledge and Validate Emotions: Lower emotional tension by recognizing the other person’s feelings.
2. Get Curious with Compassion: Ask open-ended questions to build trust and gather information.
3. Joint Problem Solving: Collaborate to find mutually beneficial solutions.
3. Emotion Management is Key
During the role-play, Kwame demonstrated how validating emotions helps de-escalate tension and fosters a more productive dialogue. For example, he acknowledged Erin’s hypothetical frustrations about PTO limits, which set the stage for a constructive discussion.
4. Curiosity Builds Trust
By asking open-ended questions with genuine curiosity, you gain valuable insights and strengthen relationships. Kwame’s approach emphasized the importance of tone and empathy to keep conversations on track and uncover win-win opportunities.
5. Practice Makes Perfect
Role-playing challenging scenarios, as Erin and Kwame did, is a practical way to build confidence and refine your negotiation skills. Kwame’s advice? Push yourself to handle even the most unreasonable counterpart with calmness and clarity.
Conclusion
This episode is a masterclass in handling difficult conversations with grace and effectiveness. Kwame Christian’s Compassionate Curiosity framework is a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills, whether at work or home.
If you loved this episode and know someone who might benefit from it, please share it by copying the link and sending them a quick text/email. Sharing is caring!
No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)
- Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight from Kwame and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
- Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.
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Show Links
- Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy here and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it here.
Connect with Kwame Christian
- Kwame’s company website
- Kwame’s LinkedIn
- Kwame’s podcast: Negotiate Anything
- Kwame’s books: How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond & Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life
Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!