Stanford's Legendary "Touchy Feely" Workshop: The Leadership Skills Every Leader Needs — with Carole Robin

Hi, I’m Carole Robin. I am the co-founder of Leaders in Tech (LIT), a San Francisco-based nonprofit that gives founders and startup executives the leadership skills they need to build great companies and make the world a better place leadersintech. Prior to starting LIT, I taught the legendary Interpersonal Dynamics course (affectionately known by students as “Touchy Feely”) at the Stanford Graduate School of Business to MBAs and executives, held a bunch of fancy titles and won some awards. Touchy Feely has been credited for being worth the entire price of tuition by thousands of students over many decades. I started Leaders in Tech to bring the principles and process of “Touchy Feely” to leaders in Silicon Valley. Prior to coming to Stanford, I had careers in sales and marketing and consulting. I co-authored a highly acclaimed and award-winning book, Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends and Colleagues which contains the lessons of "Touchy Feely" that thousands of students and executives consistently describe as life changing. The book is available in 15 languages. The fundamental premise of my work is that people do business with people—not ideas, not products, not strategies, not even money—they do business with people.  So, getting the people part right is key. That is why the course is legendary at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and not hidden away in the Psychology Department.  The question is not whether people skills are important—the question is how to develop them. Interpersonal competence is a determinant of both professional and personal success.  I have had as many former students and LIT participants call me to thank me for helping them become a CEO or raise another round of money, as I have those who call to tell me they are pretty sure what they learned saved their marriage. This workshop draws on the LIT and Stanford Interpersonal Dynamics curriculum and will provide you with the key skills necessary to become more interpersonally competent. It will help you begin to answer the question I ask all program participants to explore: “Why should anyone follow you?” This workshop is for you if you would like to learn how to: Move relationships from dysfunctional (or contact with no real connection) to functional and robust (at a minimum) and exceptional when desiredUse the 15% rule to inform your choices as you are deepening relationshipsCreate conditions for giving and receiving feedback in ways that build stronger relationships (vs. weaken them)Resolve conflicts more productivelyBe a more influential leader You’re a great fit if: You want to connect more deeply and effectively with colleagues, direct reports, a boss, a board member, investors, and/or family members and friendsYou believe strong, functional relationships are critical to your success (personally and professionally)You are curious and open to learning You might be: A startup founder raising money and growing your companyA leader in either a for profit or non-profit organization looking to “up your game”A person seeking more meaningful relationships in your professional and personal life In this interactive session, expect: Learning. You will learn what fosters deeper connection between people and engage in some important introspection and self explorationSkill building. You will learn new skills based on robust frameworks.Role Playing. You’ll have a chance to role play feedback conversations you want to have.Challenge. I will invite you to test your mental models and update your limiting beliefs about what creates connectionFun. We’ll have some fun while we explore together (and especially during role playing) By the end, you’ll be able to: Connect more quickly and effectively with others—especially people who are different than youDetermine the kind of relationships you want and how to build themInfluence others more effectivelyDevelop others more effectivelyAddress limiting beliefs that hurt relati…