Are you leading with influence or just pushing your agenda? Too many leaders believe success comes from being right, but what if true impact starts with slowing down and listening?

In this episode, workplace culture consultant and Ridley Consulting Group CEO, Beth Ridley, shares why seeking to understand can create more lasting influence than “winning” the moment.

Discover the difference between understanding and agreement, why small habits matter more than grand gestures, and a practical approach any leader can use to foster genuine connection—even during conflict.

Ever wondered why some people make you feel truly heard, while others don’t? Find out what it takes to become that kind of leader. This episode features Beth Ridley and focuses on the surprising power of understanding as a leadership superpower.

Episode Highlights:

07:45 - People are going to be more inspired to trust you and to listen to you if they first feel heard and understood.

08:30 - To me, understanding is not the same as changing your mind or backing down from your argument, which I think is the most important thing. It's first just getting to that first step of, okay, I understand what you're saying, and now actually that makes me smarter. So I win.

12:10 - Curiosity opens the door to understanding. And again, as long as you separate understanding and agreement, those can be two different things that can actually coexist really beautifully that leads to influence.

15:31 - I think he would have been a lot more open and not stormed up the stairs and like slammed the door if I, in that moment of extreme being upset, because he went against what I believed was the right approach, to catch myself pause. Tell me a little bit more about why you thought that was a good idea or tell me a little bit more about why you did that. Because they're usually people do have a decent reason, right? Unless they really are crazy. They do have a decent reason.

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Heather Price Consulting

Beth Ridley

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Ever felt overlooked, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what sets you apart? You’re not alone. In this empowering episode, Heather Price and leadership expert Melanie Stuber challenge the common struggle of undervaluing yourself while racing from one achievement to the next.

Learn why articulating your strengths and setting boundaries isn’t bragging. It’s a critical skill for fulfillment and influence. What powerful questions can transform your self-perception, and how can you quickly pinpoint the value you already bring, even if it’s hard to see right now?

Don’t miss this high-impact conversation with guest Melanie Stuber, CEO of Cultivate and Thrive, all about building true influence by owning your worth.

Episode Highlights

03:07 - Your accomplishments. Your achievements are really important, but what makes you uniquely you? Your worth is so much greater than that.

05:36 - When you own your worth, you also set boundaries for yourself. So you're likely to protect your boundaries by saying no to what drains you and saying yes to what aligns with your personal values, what aligns with your purpose, your goals and your well-being.

11:36 - If you don't advocate for yourself, others won't advocate for you when you're not in the room.

24:43 - You don't want others to define it for you. You want to understand yourself and be able to define it for yourself and also to understand, and I learned this the hard way, that you don't have to be everything to everyone and to understand what your strengths are.

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Heather Price Consulting

Melanie Stuber

Ever wonder why your conversations aren't driving real results? Chances are, it’s not what you’re saying—it’s what you’re missing. In this episode of Grow Where You’re Planted, Heather Price breaks down why great listening is the root of influence and results.

Too many experts, sales leaders, and coaches think advice wins trust, but it’s actually powerful listening that opens doors. What would change if people walked away from conversations with you truly feeling heard?

Tune in to get Heather Price’s expert strategies for instantly boosting your influence—simply by listening smarter.

Episode Highlights

01:01 - Always assume that that person, the client, has the answers. 99% of the time, people know what the right answer is.

02:09 - Listening skills are going to help you save time and be more efficient because you're going to be solving the right issue to begin with.

02:23 - The better listener you are, the more trust is built. And the more trust is built, the stronger the relationship. And when relationship and trust goes up, so does influence. And when influence goes up, ultimately, so do the results.

05:27 - Just the fact of going through that listening quiz and listening to this brief podcast, you are going to be more aware of whether you're listening or not.

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Heather Price Consulting

If you’re tired of your message getting lost in the noise, it’s time to rethink how you capture attention and inspire action. The difference between being remembered and being forgotten often comes down to how you tell your story.

In this engaging episode with Dave Tennenbaum, President & Founder of Stand-Taller, discover why storytelling isn’t just entertaining—it’s your greatest asset for building influence, forging connections, and motivating others to say "yes." Feel frustrated when facts alone don’t seem to stick? You’re not alone. Find out the secret behind stories that people remember forever and how the right story can tip every conversation in your favor.

Curious about which three storytelling rules instantly boost your credibility? Tune in and hear firsthand how the art of the story transforms sales and coaching. Don’t miss this masterclass on connecting, influencing, and winning with stories that work.

Episode Highlights

05:07 - People say, "Tell me a fact and I’ll forget it, but tell me a story and I’ll remember forever." And if people are going to remember what you tell them, that is the foundation of influence.

06:03 - Storytelling creates emotion... Once you connect emotionally, well, now everybody feels comfortable. Everybody’s shoulders drop a little bit. And stories do that.

09:37 - A story is a gift. If you’re telling a story, you’re not asking for a response. You are just talking. This isn’t a conversation anymore. Now it's me speaking. So if this isn’t going to be something of value to you, well then this is already a selfish, losing proposition.

10:45 - You want to engage your audience because you want them to lean in. Take your time, take a breath. Let the audience catch up. Don’t rush them to the end. And finally, perhaps the most important rule is a strong close. If you ever have to say, "That’s what happened," then you know you have failed.

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Heather Price Consulting

Connect with Dave Tennenbaum

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Ever feel like your words go unheard—at home, at work, even among friends? You’re not alone.

In today’s episode, Heather Price brings her daughters—Morgan, Brooke, and Macy—on the mic to tackle a skill most people think they have, but rarely use: real listening. You’ll hear how being overlooked as a kid leaves a lasting mark, why even professionals tune out, and the hidden loop of respect between generations.

Episode Highlights

10:21 - I think that made me think of that all of the times I feel like I'm being listened to. It's not like people would ever, when you're talking to them, turn around and just walk away and not respond. But I feel when I'm asking someone something or when I want them to listen, I know that I'm being listened to when I notice their actions that follow.

18:33 - I think listening is crucial for increasing your influence because it can help build trust and understanding with others. And when you listen, it kinda demonstrates that you value their opinions and feelings, and it can lead to overall a stronger relationship and more effective communication. And people are more likely to listen to you if you demonstrate that.

33:14 - I do think that as someone who someone from Gen Z, we organically show up very transparent and authentic off the bat and have less of a grip on people's judgment towards us, and I think that's a great quality to have. So I think advice from our experienced coaches always, not just working with younger people, would be to show up as their most authentic and transparent selves, which in turn builds trust and supports that listening and motivation.

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Heather Price Consulting

Activity Coaching Conversation

Did Curiosity Really Kill the Cat?!

Curiosity is the fuel behind every breakthrough—but most adults lose it as they grow older. Imagine what you’re missing when you stop asking questions. In this episode, Heather reveals why curiosity isn’t just for toddlers and how it supercharges learning, creativity, and connection—both at work and at home. Want to know the types of questions top performers ask to spark deeper conversations and solve bigger problems? What if your next question could be your million dollar move?

Episode Highlights:

00:20 - Curiosity is a powerful and essential human trait that drives learning, innovation, influence, and personal growth.

02:18 - People who are curious about others tend to ask more meaningful questions. They listen more attentively. They engage in richer conversations, and they have greater influence.

03:57 - Start by asking how and what questions. Number one, when you ask how and what, you're gonna get deeper answers, more thoughtful responses.

06:17 - Improving curiosity is like strengthening a muscle. The more you use it, the more you do it, the more natural it becomes.

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Heather Price Consulting

Activity Coaching Conversation

Heather sits down with Tracy Brown—body language expert, former pro cyclist, and author—to reveal how reading nonverbal cues can elevate your influence and results. They explore how to quickly detect deception, spot hidden stress, and identify the true decision-maker in any meeting, whether you’re in sales, leadership, or coaching.

Tracy shares practical tips on reading head nods, blink rates, and body posture, plus actionable questions you can use to uncover your clients’ real motivations and build immediate trust. She also discusses the power of trusting your gut and the importance of asking the right questions at the right time.

Listen in for a fun, insightful conversation that delivers actionable strategies to sharpen your intuition, strengthen your communication, and boost your business results.

Episode Highlights

02:15 - I couldn't rely on my strength alone, so I had to be smarter than everyone else. And I started to understand that people were broadcasting exactly what was on their mind, exactly how they were feeling, and exactly what was gonna happen next.

04:36 - You need to know the truth so that especially in these uncertain times, so that your your bets, your gambles on a certain vendor, a certain product, a certain strategy are the best informed that they can be. And when it comes to deception, you know, people get nervous. They're like, I don't you know, people are lying to you all the time.

23:28 - They always say, you know, you know, you need to take your emotions out of it. And that is one of the worst things you can do when you're with a client. Right? Because they're not gonna be able to do that and they need someone who's gonna be able to be there with them through the tough times.

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Heather Price Consulting

Activity Coaching Conversation

Traci Brown

LinkedIn

In this mini episode, Heather reveals the five "taboo words" that silently sabotage influential communication. Drawing on coaching experiences, she explores how words like “just,” “I think,” “I’m sorry,” and “I’ll try” undermine confidence, credibility, and clarity—plus the impact of filler words on presence and authority.

Heather explains why influential leaders drop these phrases, shares concrete alternatives, and offers simple strategies for boosting your impact in every conversation.

Learn the importance of assertiveness, owning your message, and harnessing the power of a pause. Whether you’re coaching, selling, or leading, this episode is packed with quick tips to level up your communication and become a stronger, more trusted influencer.

Episode Highlights:

00:26 - Words hold power. Some move people to action, while others actually diminish your credibility, your message, and–you guessed it–your influence.

01:31 - Similar to the word "just," it says, "What I'm about to say might be wrong or you might not like it," but this is just my opinion. It's not a fact. Again, it's a minimizing or a diminishing type word.

04:13 - So the next time, rather than saying, "I'll try", say, "I absolutely will" or "I commit to doing this," and just see how that other person responds.

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Heather Price Consulting

Activity Coaching Conversation