#62: Kymberly Dakin-Neal: The Theory of Curiosity and Listening

My guest for this episode is Kymberly Dakin-Neal. She is the author of "Head, Heart, and Hands Listening in Coach Practice." It is available for Pre-Order on Amazon now and will be released by Routledge Publishers on July 4, 2023

It is a phenomenal book about the art of listening. In fact, our conversation was an exercise in listening as we explored a number of topics, including:

  • How do you open up to different points of view? 
  • How do you let in different points of view? 
  • What does it look like to truly tune in? 

Kym has a point of view about listening, and it is much more than just parroting back what someone else has said. In her view, listening is a whole body experience that can change outcomes. She tells the most wonderful story about making a choice between finishing her emails or hunting for earthworms. Who knew earthworms could be so memorable!

It's always a treat for me to share these conversations with another coach, and you bet I took a bunch of notes for my own reference, and I’m guessing you will too.

Here is her official Bio:

Kymberly Dakin-Neal is a mindset coach specializing in effective communication and professional presence for over a decade. She works successfully with newly promoted employees, women running for office, entrepreneurs pitching new products. Kym helps train medical professionals in more productive listening and patient communication via the Standardized Patient program at Tufts and Kaiser Permanente. Kym has also developed and recently sold a bookmarking app called, "Nugget" to eliminate the need to take notes in online meetings. She is a mindset coach with Positive Intelligence. Her book “Head, Heart, and Hands Listening in Coach Practice” will be released in July, 2023 by Routledge Publishers.

Topics: 

  • The theory of curiosity and listening. (3:04)
  • When we stop being curious about each other. (9:06)
  • Social media’s demand for engagement. (15:54)
  • The fear of failure and success. (21:21)
  • The sage powers of empathy. (29:18)
  • How does your awareness come to you? (39:21)
  • Money vs. Time. (44:17)
  • The first time I got 360 feedback. (50:04)
  • Putting the information in a good mom place. (58:14)
  • The saboteur influence and the pressure gap. (1:04:59)
  • Coaching Real Leaders podcast. (1:11:02)
  • How do you train people to listen to your dreams? (1:15:37)
  • The two marathons of writing a book. (1:21:03)
  • The value of setting clear boundaries. (1:25:36)
  • How to make totems out of old pottery.
  • The theory of curiosity and listening. (3:04)
  • When we stop being curious about each other. (9:06)
  • Social media’s demand for engagement. (15:54)
  • The fear of failure and success. (21:21)
  • The sage powers of empathy. (29:18)
  • How does your awareness come to you? (39:21)
  • Money vs. Time. (44:17)
  • The first time I got 360 feedback. (50:04)
  • Putting the information in a good place. (58:14)
  • The saboteur influence and the pressure gap. (1:04:59)
  • Coaching Real Leaders podcast. (1:11:02)
  • How do you train people to listen to your dreams? (1:15:37)
  • The two marathons of writing a book. (1:21:03)
  • The value of setting clear boundaries. (1:25:36)
  • How to make totems out of old pottery.

Additional Links:

The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel A. van der Kolk