135. Rethink: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Why deep connection with others starts by connecting more deeply with ourselves.

How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question more often — and be more precise in how we answer it.

Teoh is a facilitator of the course Interpersonal Dynamics, one of Stanford Graduate School of Business’s most iconic classes. In her work with students and as a CEO coach, Teoh encourages people to get better acquainted with their feelings. “Feelings are data,” she says. “In the rest of our logical lives, we would never make decisions on bad or highly abstract data. But we’ll do that with feelings.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast, Teoh and host Matt Abrahams discuss how developing greater emotional awareness can help us achieve more agency and empathy in our personal and professional lives.

Episode Reference Links:

• Celine Teoh: Website
• Interpersonal Dynamics (Program at GSB Celine facilitates)
• Connect - Building Exceptional Relationships (Book by Carol Robin that Celine recommends)
• The Gottman Institute (Website for John Gottman, whose research Celine mentions and is referenced in the Interpersonal Dynamics course)
• Ep.77 - All the Feels: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness: YouTube / Website

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• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Matt Abrahams introduces guest Celine Teoh and the episodes' focus on the value of emotions in communication.

(00:01:09) Discovering Self Through Interpersonal Dynamics

Overview of the Interpersonal Dynamics course at Stanford GSB, also known as "touchy feely"

(00:03:48) Integrating “Touchy Feely” in Logical and Action-Oriented Environments

Incorporating empathy and emotional connection in organizations that prioritize logic and action.

(00:05:47) Enhancing Connection and Empathy

Advice on building connections with others, including the importance of being clear and embracing vulnerability.

(00:08:36) Managing Conflict with Empathy

Approaching challenges and conflict at work in a way that maintains and strengthens relationships.

(00:11:29) Enhancing Empathy, Feedback, and Communication Skills

Guidance for improving empathy, seeking feedback, and honing communication skills.

(00:13:52) The Final Three Questions

Celine Teoh shares the best communication advice she has received, a communicator she admires, and outlines her first three ingredients for successful communication.

(00:17:07) Conclusion