Anna Carus-Wilson and Neil Bett are the driving force behind Frank Partners, an organisation that helps people learn to communicate more effectively. 

 

Drawing on their experience as professionally trained actors, Anna and Neil bring humour, improvisation and empathy into situations where people are struggling to listen - and to make themselves heard.

In this episode:

(01:47) The role of humour in building trust with others

(02:12) What does it take for us to do our best work?

(02:42) Some of the common issues that prevent us from communicating effectively with one another

(05:44) A simple exercise Neil and Anna use to help people listen better

(07:13) Katie's surprising experience of speaking in a 12-step meeting

(09:10) More examples of non-verbal communication

(10:36) Tips to help you prepare for a 'difficult' conversation

(12:29) "Tough on the facts, open-minded on the reasons"

(14:06) An alternative approach to putting yourself in someone else's shoes

(16:01) A helpful tip for when you're preparing to talk with someone you really don't like...

(16:45) Benjamin Franklin's approach to making yourself more likeable

(17:03) Neil's story of a particularly difficult conversation

(18:56) The power of externalising one's feelings

(19:15) How preparing like an actor can help to make difficult conversations easier

(20:21) Communication in the shower?

(21:29) The Frank Partners film app - a place to watch examples of good (and bad) communication

(22:40) Neil's Little Challenge

(25:00) Anna's Little Challenge