But Really, How Are You? - Episode 18: Communicating at the workplace with Brandon Smith

Episode 18: Communicating at the workplace with Brandon Smith

10/11/20 • 48 min

Communication is important in all aspects of our lives, but why is it at work that our communication style can look incredibly different from when we are away from our job? Brandon Smith is a psychologist who specializes in communication in the working environment. In this episode we will discuss what are healthy and dysfunctional workplace dynamics.
In this episode, Brandon shares that we can have boundaries while on the job. We talk about the energy that is created in the workplace environment by the emotions and attitude we present at work. He will give us some great perspectives on how we can be influencers to change our work place environment to be more positive. Finally, Brandon shares about his new book, which is about learning when to be urgent in life, and when we can decide it is appropriate to take a more relaxed approach. This episode is full of information on how we can improve our communication in our working environment.
Key takeaways

A little about him and the work he does
What a healthy and dysfunctional work dynamic looks like
Why everyone should know their roles and why this can be tricky
What it means to have boundaries at work
What emotional contagion is
What emotional vampires are and how you should deal with them
How to create boundaries and healthy emotional environment at work
Why people pick up other people’s energy and how it works
How not to take high emotions from the workplace and bring them home
What positive feedbacks and interactions look like
Two pitfalls you’ll fall into when you don’t communicate properly at work
How to confront someone about a hard issue
How to stay within your boundaries
The real premise of his book
How not to put hot sauce on everything when you’re feeling anxious
His final thoughts for the listeners

Book

The Hot Sauce Principle: How to Live and Lead in a World Where Everything is Urgent All of the Time by Brandon M. Smith - https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Sauce-Principle-Everything-Urgent/dp/1952233097

Brandon Smith Bio:

Brandon Smith is a leading expert in leadership communication and curer of workplace dysfunction. Known as “The Workplace Therapist” and host of The Workplace Therapist podcast, Brandon is a sought- after executive coach, TEDx speaker, author and award-winning business school instructor.
He is the President of The Worksmiths, LLC, an executive coaching and leadership development firm whose clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies. Since establishing his practice in 2005, Brandon has personally coached more than 1,000 leaders and executives across the globe.
Brandon received an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University with a concentration in communications and team dynamics. His graduate work includes an MS in counseling from Georgia State University as well as an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

A little about him and the work he does
What a healthy and dysfunctional work dynamic looks like
Why everyone should know their roles and why this can be tricky
What it means to have boundaries at work
What emotional contagion is
What emotional vampires are and how you should deal with them
How to create boundaries and healthy emotional environment at work
Why people pick up other people’s energy and how it works
How not to take high emotions from the workplace and bring them home
What positive feedbacks and interactions look like
Two pitfalls you’ll fall into when you don’t communicate properly at work
How to confront someone about a hard issue
How to stay within your boundaries
The real premise of his book
How not to put hot sauce on everything when you’re feeling anxious
His final thoughts for the listeners

Book

The Hot Sauce Principle: How to Live and Lead in a World Where Everything is Urgent All of the Time by Brandon M. Smith - https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Sauce-Principle-Everything-Urgent/dp/1952233097

Previous Episode

Episode 17: Become a body language expert with Dr. David Matsumoto

In episode 2 of our communication series we learn about what is said when no one is speaking. This is non-verbal communication. Dr. David Matsumoto is the leading expert in the field of non-verbal communication—he and his team at Humintell have focused their research on body language and facial expression.

Dr. Matsumoto talks about the common emotions in every culture and how facial expressions help us recognize them. As much as we would like to think we can hide how we feel, Dr. Matsumoto shares that our facial reactions often occur before we can hide our true emotions. (So maybe that RBF is saying more than we think?) Learn about how to read others and pick up on what they’re saying without speaking any words.

This episode is the second in our 4-part communication series. We’re diving into different types of communication and how we can all be better communicators with one another.

Key takeaways

What he does and what his work is focused on
What non-verbal communication is and why it’s important
Seven universal emotion categories that are expressed universally in our face
What the universal triggers are
How to layer questions and what it is for
Practical things you can do to see microexpressions reliably
Some of the most fascinating research they have done
How to use facial expression to change situations
How modern technology has affected communication
Best way to improve communication with family, friends, and patients
How to intentionally communicate with family and friends
How understanding communication promotes cross-cultural understanding
Last thoughts he’d like to share with the listeners

Links

Humintell - https://www.humintell.com

Dr. David Matsumoto Bio
Dr. David Matsumoto, Director of Humintell, is a renowned expert in the field of microexpressions, facial expression, gesture, nonverbal behavior, emotion and culture. He has published over 400+ articles, manuscripts, book chapters and books on these subjects.
Since 1989 Matsumoto has been a Professor of Psychology at San Francisco State University. He is also the founder and director of SFSU’s Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory. The laboratory focuses on studies involving culture, emotion, social interaction and communication.
In 2009, Matsumoto was one of the select few to receive the prestigious Minerva Grant; a $1.9 million grant from the US Department of Defense to examine the role of emotions in ideologically-based groups.
In addition to his work at Humintell and San Francisco State University, Matsumoto is the author of numerous books and articles. He also served as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology and is an Editor of the Culture and Diversity Section for the Social and Personality Psychology Compass.
Matsumoto is also an Editorial Board Member for Personality and Social Psychology Review, Asian Journal of Social Psychology, Asian Psychologist, Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, Motivation and Emotion, Cognition and Emotion, Human Communication, Journal of Comparative Family Studies and Archives of Budo.
Matsumoto is also the founder and program director of the East Bay Judo Institute in El Cerrito, California. He holds a 7th degree black belt and well as class A Coaching and Referee Licenses. He has won countless awards, including the US Olympic Committee’s Coach of the Year Award in 2003.
In addition to holding various positions within the United States Judo Federation and USA Judo, Matsumoto served as the head coach of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Judo Team and was the Team Leader for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Judo Team.
Matsumoto first began studying psychology at the University of Michigan at Ann A

Next Episode

Episode 19: Communicating with your partner with Dr. John Crossen

Problems and communication occur with every single romantic relationship. The good news is that you’re not alone. The Gottman Institute even deems poor communication in relationships a “standard perpetual problem.” Dr. John Crossen, a certified masters Gottman therapist, has been involved in this research at the institute for years.
In this episode, we discuss the standard perpetual problems that every couple faces. Dr. Crossen also shares the things we do in our relationships that lead to divorce or separation, according to research—known as the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Don’t worry, we will also discuss the tools for repairing these issues.
This episode answers questions you may have about your relationship, but are perhaps too afraid to ask about or share with others. Give this episode a listen if you have ever wondered if your relationship would last—Dr. Crossen will share research based evidence to help answer this question.
Key takeaways

The work he’s doing and what he’s focusing on
What the Gottman Institute is all about
The four communication dysfunctions
What attunement is all about and why it’s important
Break down of the four communication dysfunctions
Examples of contempt
What the standard perpetual problems are
How emotional mismatch plays out in a healthy and unhealthy relationships
How people should act when a mismatch occurs
How to calm yourself down when you’re flooded
His last thoughts on communication between couples

Link
The Gottman Institute - https://www.gottman.com/
Dr. John Crossen Bio
Dr. John “Jack” Crossen completed his doctorate specializing in Clinical Psychology at the University of New Mexico in 1985. Next, at Oregon Health & Science University he completed two post-doctoral years as Chief Resident in Medical Psychology. Since then as an OHSU faculty member he has taught classes, led behavioral health services for students, published research, and provided clinical services in collaboration with primary care providers and specialists. He was named Fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology in 2008 for his research contributions and clinical services. He continues to co-lead Balint groups in the Department of Family Medicine.
He became a certified Gottman couple’s therapist in 2008 and soon after was certified to offer both Art and Science of Love and Seven Principles workshops for couples. He presented Grand Rounds at OHSU on Medical Marriages and Gottman Couple Therapy. Since 2015 he has been a Master Trainer for therapists in all levels of Gottman therapy. He continues to participate in research and innovations sponsored by The Gottman Institute. With deep connections to OHSU, he has a special bond with couples working in health care, biomedical research and teaching. More about his work with couples is found at his website, Couplesdoingbetter.com.