Guest: Jeff Wetzler, Author & Co-Founder, Transcend Education

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wetzler-9ba3824/

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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli

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This Episode’s Sponsors

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Episode Introduction

In a captivating episode of the Audio Signal Podcast, host Marco Ciappelli dives deep into the essence of curiosity, storytelling, and how we can tap into the hidden wisdom of people around us with Jeff Wetzler, the author of the thought-provoking book *Ask: Tap into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life*.

The Genesis of Ask

Jeff Wetzler, co-founder of Transcend, a notable education innovation organization, shares the inspiration behind his book. Stemming from a career-long pursuit of understanding how learning experiences can become deeper and more impactful, Wetzler identified a pervasive pattern of missed opportunities for learning—from the unspoken wisdom of people in our lives. This observation led to the inception of *Ask*, which aims to unlock the potential for breakthroughs in leadership and life by fostering deeper connections and understanding through the simple yet profound act of asking questions.

The "Ask" Approach: A Deep Dive

Wetzler elaborates on the five key practices encapsulated in the "Ask" approach—*Choose Curiosity, Making it Safe, Asking Quality Questions, Listening to Learn,* and *Reflect and Reconnect*. These practices are not only transformative in personal development but are essential skills in leadership, fostering environments where open communication and mutual understanding flourish.

1. Choose Curiosity: Breaking free from the certainty trap to harness the power of curiosity.

2. Making it Safe: Creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their insights and stories.

3. Asking Quality Questions: Distinguishing between surface-level inquiries and questions that lead to deeper understanding.

4. Listening to Learn: Attuning oneself to not just the words spoken but the emotions and actions that accompany them.

5. Reflect and Reconnect: Processing the information gathered and following up to deepen connections and ensure understanding.

Application Beyond the Pages: Social Media and AI

The conversation navigates through the contemporary challenges of social media and artificial intelligence, platforms where the nuances of asking and listening are often lost. Wetzler advocates for using these tools to enhance rather than hinder our curiosity. From utilizing AI for brainstorming questions to fostering constructive dialogues on social media, there are ways to leverage technology to encourage genuine inquiry and learning.

A Sociology of Communication: The Vital Role of Inquiry

Wetzler's insights resonate profoundly within the sociology of communication. In a society where digital interactions often substitute personal connections, the act of asking meaningful questions and truly listening stands as a beacon of authentic human interaction. By embracing curiosity and fostering an environment conducive to open dialogue, we can transcend the often superficial exchanges that characterize our digital age, tapping into the rich tapestry of human experience and knowledge.

The Transformative Power of Questions

This conversation between Marco Ciappelli and Jeff Wetzler serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential that lies in asking the right questions. *Ask* not only invites readers to rekindle their innate curiosity but also equips them with the tools to build deeper, more meaningful connections. In an era defined by rapid technological change and impersonal digital interactions, Wetzler’s message is a simple call to reclaim the simple yet profound power of human curiosity.

About the Book

Too often, we don’t find out what’s truly on others’ hearts and minds because we don’t know how to ask the right questions in the right ways. Co-founder of Transcend and former international business consultant and Teach for America executive Jeff Wetzler wants to show you how to fix that. In Ask, he brings you a powerful method called The Ask Approach™, based on a simple premise: that tapping into what other people truly think, know, and feel is a game-changing superpower.

In Section I, Wetzler reveals the most common things that people think and feel but often keep to themselves, as well as the key reasons why they choose to withhold information that could be valuable to you and your organization.

Section II delves into the five steps of the Ask Approach, each answering an essential question.

1. Choose Curiosity: How can you awaken your curiosity to make new discoveries and unexpected connections? 2. Make it Safe: How do you make it easier for people to tell you hard things? 3. Pose Quality Questions: What questions will best tap into the wisdom of anyone you ask? 4. Listen to Learn: How can you hear what someone is really trying to tell you? 5. Reflect & Reconnect: How do you turn talk into action?

Section III helps you make asking an everyday superpower – not only for yourself but also for your team and organization, as well as for the next generation and society at large. The skills and messages of Ask could not be more timely. In a fast-changing world where AI is supplanting an increasing range of skills, the ability to learn from and connect with other people is one of the most important, fulfilling and uniquely human capabilities to master.

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Resources

Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Hidden-Unexpected-Breakthroughs-Leadership/dp/0306832690

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For more podcast stories from Audio Signals: https://www.itspmagazine.com/audio-signals

Watch the video version on-demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllQvnJ8eHUlVX8AuyhehtexA

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