Listen up and listen good with Rebecca Shafir

Rebecca is an ADHD and executive function coach, and founder of Mindful Communication. Based in Sarasota, Rebecca is a speech language pathologist and author of the book, “The Zen of Listening: Mindful Communication in the Age of Distraction.” She has been studying listening behaviors and activities for more than 25 years. On this episode of From the Corner Office, Rebecca and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about what mindful listening can do for executives and leaders as opposed to actively listening, and why that’s even more crucial in the AI, high-distraction era. She also talked about key steps any leader can take to be more mindful when they listen to others.

3 Takeaways

1. (14:45) Get comfortable with silence
2. (17:30) If we listen with curiosity, the speaker really feels like we care
3. (23:50) “Get into the movie of the speaker”

Timestamps

(00:00)Introducing Rebecca Shafir, founder, Mindful Communication

(04:40) What is Mindful Communication?

(06:15) What is mindful listening?

(09:30) How do you work with leaders that have ADHD?

(12:00) Working with physicians to become better listeners

(14:10) How do you help your clients be better listeners

(17:10) Curiosity and clarity

(18:55) Why should we be better listeners in the AI era?

(20:55) Example of how better listening could have been used to implement an AI tool

(23:30) Practical ways for busy leaders to be better listeners

(26:50) What is coming up for you in 2026?

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