Did you ever wonder how (and why) some people can have fascinating, enjoyable conversations with almost everyone, while others struggle?

Being an effective communicator is a hallmark of strong leadership. If we want to forge stronger connections and build empathy, it’s important to learn the art of deep inquiry.

Charles Duhigg’s book, Supercommunicators, explores this concept and talks about how we can become more powerful connectors by transforming surface-level queries such as “Do you have kids?” or “How long have you lived here?” into deeper questions such as “Tell me about your family,” and “Where’s the best place you’ve ever lived?”

These small shifts help you connect with others on an emotional level and build stronger, more lasting relationships.

I recently spoke about this to a group of Internal Comms leaders at an event in London hosted by Employee Engagement platform provider, Blink, and we all had fun working through a list of suggested conversation starters.

If you have team events planned for the holiday season, why not pull together a list of ‘deep inquiry’ questions similar to the ones above and use them as icebreakers?

Deep conversation doesn’t have to be a drag…most people love talking about themselves at a more meaningful level, so make sure your questions encourage people to share opinions, goals and emotions. 

INSPIRE INCLUSION

My work combines three essential elements—inclusion, communication, and emotional intelligence—to help organisations create people-first cultures. These components are particularly important in times of change, and they intersect in fascinating ways.

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of interviewing two experts from The Conference Board, a global think tank, on how DEI differs in Europe and Asia. We uncovered some intriguing insights. The content will likely be published early in the new year, so keep an eye out for it!

In the meantime, I recommend this thought-provoking article from Harvard Business Review: “What Trump’s Second Term Could Mean for DEI”. It’s a timely reminder of how external forces can shape DEI initiatives in organisations—and why staying proactive is so critical.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES?

It has been an interesting time! I recently travelled to California and Oregon for meetings, and then finished up delivering an Inclusive Leadership program for a Financial Services client. 

I also enjoyed reading The Empathy Dilemma by Maria Ross. If you’re a leader who’d like to create more empathy in your organisation, this is a fantastic resource for you.

Now, I’m taking a breather to focus on completing my third book.

Planned for release in Spring 2025, it’s a collection of powerful, practical communication frameworks that will help you up your game at work.

When you’re looking for last-minute strategies to elevate a presentation or long-term frameworks to enhance your interactions with clients and colleagues, this book will be a useful reference. 

More updates coming soon.

COMMUNICATION CORNER

A couple of years ago, I discovered Ebere Akadiri and her Rise and Lead Women community. Her annual summit draws inspiring women (plus a growing number of male allies) and global brands from across Europe, and Ebere’s commitment to empowering women is truly unmatched.

So…when the opportunity came to co-present an online class with her, I jumped at the chance! 🙌

🎤 On Thursday 28th November at 4pm UK time I’ll be joining forces with Ebere for a free session that’s all about:

✨ Communicating a strong, authentic personal brand that reflects your strengths and values

✨ Becoming highly visible and creating opportunities that align with your goals

If you’re ready to enhance your visibility and align your personal brand with your strengths and values, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

The webinar details can be found here: Visibility Masterclass.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please do drop me a line.

All the best,

Shola

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Hi, I’m Shola and I help you create a people-first culture. My work sits at the intersection of Inclusion, Communication & Emotional Intelligence.

My keynote talks and workshops help your leaders and employees create high-performing work environments where people feel a sense of belonging and psychological safety. Sessions are high energy, interactive, and every participant walks away with at least one practical framework for connecting and collaborating more effectively.

Sound good to you? Please reach out and let’s discuss your next event! 🙂🎤✨