“Accept the right of others to their opinions. Be curious about where people come from.”
Dr Christian van Nieuwerburgh (also the artist of the beautiful illustrations!)
“Radical listening is not just a technique; it’s an alignment of how we are present.”
Dr Robert Biswas-Diener
TL;DR: If you want a powerful tool to elevate how you connect, collaborate, and communicate, Radical Listening might change how you listen forever.
What’s Your Biggest Listening Flaw?
If you’re serious about improving relationships in your life and career, and with yourself, this provocative question is a powerful place to start.
That was the challenge posed in a recent CoachX Conversation event I attended, hosted by Carol Kauffman, PhD at the Institute of Coaching, featuring Dr Robert Biswas-Diener, co-author of Radical Listening with Dr Christian van Nieuwerburgh.
Catch the replay here
It was one of those conversations that quietly stays with you. Not because it was loud or full of dramatic takeaways, but because it asked us to pause and notice how we show up when others speak.
Listening Isn’t Just About Hearing
Their rich discussion had many key aspects including the emphasis on the intentionality, and transformative power of radical listening. One invitation was to shift from performative or problem-solving modes toward a more open, learning-centered listening stance, where curiosity, acceptance, and mutual co-creation become the heart of meaningful conversations. This more grounded quality of listening is what Robert called a “learning mode.”
Here are a few quotes that stood out:
“Listening is accepting someone but not needing to agree.”
Robert Biswas-Diener
“Listen to learn, not to analyze or fix.”
Robert Biswas-Diener
“Intentionally listen to something you don’t agree with; practice the humility of listening.”
Carol Kauffman
My Listening Flaw (And Yes, It Was Confirmed…)
My biggest listening flaw? Interrupting, specifically interjecting, when I’m not in coach mode.
(My husband agrees with a loving eye roll. 🤐)
Carol’s question, “What is your biggest listening flaw?” isn’t only rhetorical. It invites us to reflect on how we think we listen, and how others might experience us differently.
So now I’m wondering: How would you answer that question?
And if you asked someone close to you, would their answer match yours?
5 Radical Listening Resources I Recommend
If this topic appeals and to help strengthen communication in your life and career, here are five resources to uplevel listening skills for coaches and leaders, I’ve found valuable:
🎥 1. Watch the CoachX Radical Listening Replay
A rich, insightful conversation between Carol Kauffman and Robert Biswas-Diener, hosted by the Institute of Coaching. They offered profound insights into how we really listen and what gets in the way. They unpack what radical listening looks like in action.
🔗Watch the CoachX Radical Listening Replay
📘 2. Read the Book: Radical Listening – The Art of True Connecting
Co-authored by Robert Biswas-Diener and Christian van Nieuwerburgh. If you don’t already have it, I know you will be inspired to invest in your copy today! This is a must-read for those interested in improving communication skills for leaders, coaches, and anyone looking to deepen human connection at all levels. The book is available in multiple formats.
🔗Order your copy of Radical Listening here or at your favourite place to buy books.
🎧 3. Tune Into My Radical Listening Book Playlist on Spotify.
While waiting for my copy of the book, I curated a playlist of interviews on Radical Listening. It has helped me improve deep listening skills.
I’ve finished and recommend the book and shared it and this playlist with clients, peers, and friends. I hope you enjoy it too!
🔗Click here for my Radical Listening Book Playlist on Spotify.
💬 4. Join the Radical Listening Fan Club (RLFC)
I love learning in a community setting, so a huge thank you to a fellow coach with a passion for Positive Psychology, Brittany Rehal as founder and President of RFLC: Radical Listening Fan Club. Check out the latest on Radical Listening wisdom and events in this lively and thoughtful LinkedIn group full of fun geeky goodness:
🔗 Visit the RLFC Group on LinkedIn
🧠 5. Sign Up for the Live June 2025 Course
Positive Acorn is hosting a live course, Radical Listening for Coaches, led by Robert and Christian.
I’m already enrolled, and there are a few spots left if levelling up your listening skills and relationship building is important to your life and career.
Bonus: Free Visuals & Reflection Prompts
If you have not seen it yet, check out my LinkedIn post for graphics to inspire you, quotes, and reflection questions. I am happy to share the graphics files if they are helpful for you to keep the conversation going as you practise radical listening when you connect with clients or with your community. Click here to contact me.
For a great review on Radical Listening, I highly recommend Eric Jacobson’s blog. “How To Be A Radical Listener To Create True Connections”.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
What’s your biggest listening flaw?
How do you practice Radical Listening in your life and career?
I can’t wait to hear your answers and what’s resonating with you. Drop a comment below or click here to contact me.
Sharing is caring! If you this blog sparked an idea or you have a favourite nugget of knowledge that has come up for you, I invite you to share with me and others.
If you are curious about taking your listening and communication skills to the next level, and gain an unfair advantage in your relationship with yourself and with others in your life and career by reading “Radical Listening”. I wonder if you will agree with me that it radically changes your perspective on listening and communication.
If you would like to meet to ask more about my Radical Listening experience or how you can become a Radical Listener in your life and career, book a Brief Consult with me today!
