Heather Hansen

TEDx Speaker and Author

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Authentic Adaptability with Heather Hansen

August 19, 2022

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About this episode

Keith joins Michelle and Maria in welcoming Heather Hansen to the show today to discuss authentic adaptability. Heather helps top global professionals show up, speak up and inspire action and change the world and is the author of the book Unmuted: How to Show Up, Speak Up, and Inspire Action. Today, Heather shares nuggets on how to foster effective communication between leaders and their teams.

Heather starts by sharing the purpose of her book, explaining that the book was written to understand and promote good communication, which is built on more listening, rather than speaking. She also reveals that there are dangerous effects of language bias as it is often a result of deeper discrimination and explains the meaning of authentic adaptability and how we can remain true to our values even if we seem different every day. Heather concludes by sharing insightful tips to help leaders and teams develop good communication and action.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Heather discusses her book, Unmuted

The importance of listening rather than speaking

What are the effects of language bias and linguistic discrimination?

Exploring authentic adaptability

How can leaders practice authentic adaptability?

Making the change and growing

Understanding your values

Heather’s tips on developing teams and leaders

“My primary goal with the book was to inspire those who have not been speaking up in the world to begin sharing their brilliance. We've been listening to the same demographic for a long time, and as I look around the world today, I think this can't be it.”

“We're facing so many extreme crises all over the world in all different areas, from the environment to political conflict. I just refuse to believe this is the height of human potential - there has got to be more.”

“Unmuted is trying to give a toolkit or a skill set to leaders and everyone in the organization, to know when to press mute and listen, when to speak up, how to do so in a way that's respectful of our differences, how to become more self-aware in our leadership practices and how we are appearing before others.”

“The key is learning to listen so that people want to speak up. And that means as leaders, we have to give space for that. We have to build relationships, we have to create psychological safety in the organization so people feel comfortable coming to us with new ideas.”

“It's about connection, not perfection.”

“Linguistic discrimination is the last acceptable form of discrimination in our society, people don't recognize it or realize it exists. And they don't realize how deep it runs, how it is connected to discrimination according to socio-economic status.”

“Authentic adaptability is the ability to show up and adapt to the surroundings, adapt and be flexible to others, other ideas, different ways of doing things, as long as we are remaining true to our values.”

“We have had it drummed into our heads that if you're showing up different, you're not being yourself, but I am.”

“Sometimes what you are told to believe and raised to believe and your entire culture and society believes is not something you necessarily have to embrace. And it's not something that necessarily has to define you or those around you.”

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Global Speech Academy