How Asking One Hard Question Builds Deeper Trust, with Alain de Botton

How Asking One Hard Question Builds Deeper Trust, with Alain de Botton

This new Essential Habits series breaks down the key habits behind high performance, one episode at a time. This week’s habit is deceptively simple: asking better questions.


Philosopher Alain de Botton joins us to explore how a single, uncomfortable question, “How have I annoyed you?” can deepen trust, defuse tension, and create stronger connections in every part of life.


Whether it’s at home, at work, or with close friends, we often avoid the conversations that would help us grow. Alain shows us a different way, one built on emotional generosity, honest listening, and the courage to be vulnerable.


In this episode, we explore:


  • Why awkward questions build trust
  • How to listen without getting defensive
  • The science behind emotional connection
  • What high-performing teams can learn from philosophy
  • The hidden power of backstories and being 'truly heard'


Here is a list of studies referenced in the episode:


  1. The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness. Arthur Aron, Elaine Aron (1997)
  2. Understanding the conversation gap: Why employees aren’t talking, and what we can do about it (Braverly), referenced in How to Navigate Difficult Conversations with Employees. Harvard Negotiation Project
  3. Rejection Really Hurts, published in Science (Oct 2003). University Of California - Los Angeles
  4. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown


Listen to the full episode with Alain De Botton here: https://pod.fo/e/1f5db0


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(682)

Your Attention is Being Stolen — and Here's How to Take it Back | Johann Hari

Your Attention is Being Stolen — and Here's How to Take it Back | Johann Hari

Johann Hari has spent years doing what most of us don't have time to do — travelling the world, interviewing the world's leading neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and Silicon Valley insiders to find out...

13 Maalis 50min

What F1 Insiders Told Us After the Australian Grand Prix

What F1 Insiders Told Us After the Australian Grand Prix

Jake and Damian go inside the 2026 Australian Grand Prix — not with lap times and race analysis, but with something rarer: direct messages from the people who were actually there.Jake shares a WhatsAp...

11 Maalis 0s

The Mastermind Behind Arsenal's 'Invincibles' Era: David Dein (E398)

The Mastermind Behind Arsenal's 'Invincibles' Era: David Dein (E398)

David Dein is one of the most influential figures in modern football, the visionary former vice-chairman of Arsenal F.C. who helped reshape the English game. In this episode, David sits down with Jake...

9 Maalis 0s

Mo Gawdat: How Losing My Son Led Me To A Formula for Happiness

Mo Gawdat: How Losing My Son Led Me To A Formula for Happiness

Mo Gawdat rose to become Chief Business Officer of Google X, the moonshot factory tasked with solving the world's biggest problems. He had 16 cars in his garage, a nine-bedroom house, and by every con...

6 Maalis 50min

Alex Iwobi: Wenger's Aura, Lampard's Trust & the Hard Truth About Being Yourself in Elite Football (E397)

Alex Iwobi: Wenger's Aura, Lampard's Trust & the Hard Truth About Being Yourself in Elite Football (E397)

Alex Iwobi is one of the Premier League's most creative midfielders, known for his flair, expressiveness and ability to unlock defences. After coming through the Arsenal academy under Arsène Wenger, h...

5 Maalis 0s

Ollie Bearman: The 10 Minute Change That Saved My F1 Career (E396)

Ollie Bearman: The 10 Minute Change That Saved My F1 Career (E396)

Ollie Bearman is one of Formula 1’s most exciting young talents, known for his fierce drive, impressive performances, and rising star power within the sport. As a member of Haas F1 Team, Ollie is carv...

2 Maalis 58min

Michael Johnson: The Mind That Never Settled For Second

Michael Johnson: The Mind That Never Settled For Second

We revisit our chat with Olympic legend Michael Johnson, a man who has more medals, world records, and gold standards than almost anyone who has ever laced up a pair of spikes. But this conversation i...

27 Helmi 58min

 Micro Habits: Lando Norris' Secret Weapon + Adam Peaty's Comeback Formula (Exclusive Audiobook Preview)

Micro Habits: Lando Norris' Secret Weapon + Adam Peaty's Comeback Formula (Exclusive Audiobook Preview)

What does a Formula One World Champion packing up a garage have in common with an Olympic swimmer crying into his goggles at the end of a training session? More than you might think.In this exclusive ...

25 Helmi 19min

Suosittua kategoriassa Terveys ja hyvinvointi

unicast
rss-hanna-tikander
rss-pitaisko-erota
tiedenaiset-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
rss-narsisti
vakeva-elama-viisaampi-mieli-vahvempi-keho
puhu-muru
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-kuumilla-aalloilla
meditaatiot-suomeksi
katilon-kahvitunti
fitnessvastaanotto
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
terapiassa
rss-pt-paahtio
rss-en-saa-unta
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-rentoudu-podcast-rentoutumiseen-hanna-viljanmaa
junnut-pelissa