309: The Awe Factor: Boosting Curiosity, Creativity, and Empathy
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Summary
In this episode, I sit down with four LinkedIn friends/colleagues to discuss Dacher Keltner’s book, Awe the New Science of Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life. Each of my guests brings an important perspective to the topic.
Dr. Keltner defines awe as connecting to something larger that yourself; “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.” He then supports that definition by detailing eight emotional wonders of life:
Moral beauty: appreciating other people’s courage, kindness, strength, or ability to overcome obstacles.
Collective effervescence: being part of a larger collective self, e.g., a Taylor Swift concert, a political rally, gathering with others to watch the recent eclipse
Nature: what I feel when I stand in a trout stream or look out over the Grand Canyon
Music
Visual design: attractions in New York City: the Edge, the Little Island, and the High Line
Spirituality and religion
Life and death
Epiphany – understanding of an essential truth, insights, scientific discoveries, sudden disclosures
After introducing the concept of awe and hearing about it from my guests’ perspectives, I asked whether the leader can inspire awe in the workplace.
Guests & Social Media
(top center) Rich Gassen works as a print shop supervisor at UW-Madison, where he focuses on empowerment, creativity, and process improvements with staff. He also chairs the Campus Supervisors Network (CSN), a community of practice at the UW supporting supervisors in their roles by offering training and networking events, a weekly newsletter, and a website.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richgassen/
(top right) Melissa Hughes is a neuroscience researcher, educator, keynote speaker, and author of Happier Hour with Einstein — Another Round
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahughesphd
https://www.melissahughes.rocks/
(lower right) Sarah Elkins is your guide to uncovering the right personal stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, advocates, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and effectively demonstrate their character, values, and vision. She guides individuals and teams toward improved communication and reduced friction in the workplace. Sarah is a storyteller, keynote speaker, Gallup-certified StrengthsFinder coach, podcast host, author, and professional musician.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesmileisfree/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlynnelkins/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elkinscommunication
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Bwk56V5neXxjJXk3tarSE?si=01589bf8438d43c6
(lower left) Brooke Erol is a corporate dropout who pursued her dream of having more meaningful work for herself and others. All her life, she has spent writing, speaking, coaching, and consulting on the topic of having a life of fulfilling and purposeful work. She works with individuals—YourBestLife—and organizations—Purposeful Business, Inc.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/purposefulbusiness
www.instagram.com/happielliatwork
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ozlemerol
References
The Pause Principle: Step Back to Lead Forward by Kevin Cashman
How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
"Getting Unstuck" is commercial-free. It’s brought to you by Jeff Ikler, his amazing guests, and Neil Hughes, the best engineer a podcaster could ask for.
"Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.