How to build deeper, more robust relationships | Carole Robin (Stanford professor, “Touchy Feely”)

Carole Robin spent over 20 years teaching the Stanford Graduate School of Business course Interpersonal Dynamics, affectionately known as “Touchy Feely.” After leaving Stanford, she founded a nonprofit called Leaders in Tech, which applies the Touchy Feely principles to help Silicon Valley executives build their leadership and interpersonal skills. Carole co-authored the popular book Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues, which shares key insights from her decades of teaching these courses. In our conversation, we discuss:
• The benefits of building robust relationships, in life and work
• The 15% rule, and how it will help you build better relationships
• The power of vulnerability
• Examples of how to practice vulnerability
• Why mental models you build early in life hold you back later
• The “three realities” and “the net”
• The art of inquiry
• Practical tips for avoiding defensiveness when getting feedback
• The impact of long Covid on Carole’s life

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In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Carole’s background
(05:17) The importance of building robust relationships
(10:20) The “Touchy Feely” course at Stanford
(13:29) An example of the in-class experience
(17:19) Leaders in Tech: developing interpersonal competence
(21:36) Progressive disclosure and the 15% rule
(24:28) Appropriate disclosure
(26:52) The power of vulnerability
(34:57) Admitting mistakes and sharing feelings
(37:08) Understanding mental models
(42:57) The “three realities” framework
(53:52) The power of feedback and personal change
(58:47) The art of inquiry
(01:03:27) How to get better at giving feedback
(01:07:47) Exercises and continued learning
(01:10:49) “Advice hinders relationships”
(01:16:49) Failure corner: AFOG
(01:20:30) Takeaways
(01:21:51) Lessons from long Covid

Referenced:

Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.

[noelkitonga]

I took a 1 hour 30 minutes walk just to enjoy this show uninterrupted. Great guest and an even greater host. Thank you.

[STRATOps_io]

Wonderful episode! Thank you for this 😊

[JamesChadney-hs]

These just get better and better. Thank you @Lenny's Podcast for more great content AND tangible takeaways

[marianacoutinho]

Greetings from Brazil. Wonderful episode. Gold! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[MarshGardiner]

Great episode! Note: The link to the slides seems to be incorrect, as they link to a Notion-based summary page.

[tecnogram]

Anger is a distancing emotion whereas hurt fear sadness loneliness happiness joy are connecting emotions.

[spearshaker]

Heard this class embraced cult tactics so now I’m jumping down the rabbit whole of touchy feely.