What if the most powerful leadership skill… wasn’t speaking more, but asking better questions?

In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with renowned psychologist, leadership professor at IMD, and former hostage negotiator Dr. George Kohlrieser to explore what the world of hostage negotiation can teach us about leadership, trust, communication, and change.

From negotiating with armed hostage takers to coaching top executives at IMD, George has spent decades studying what truly moves people. And his message is clear: great leaders do not command, over-explain, or try to control. They build trust, stay calm under pressure, ask powerful questions, and help people feel safe enough to engage honestly.

Whether you lead a team, manage change, want to communicate with more clarity, or simply want to stop rambling and start resonating—this episode is packed with wisdom.

Resources & Mentions:

• Dr. George Kohlrieser’s book Hostage at the Table
• Dr. George Kohlrieser’s book Care to Dare

Check out episodes featuring past guests:
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Megan Dalla Camina, Dr. Stephen Porges, Sarah Baldwin, Dr. Lucy Hone, Dan Millman, Bruce Lipton, Kristen Butler, and more!

Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN

💌 Get your guide on storytelling for communicating change here

What if the resistance you’re facing… isn’t about the change itself, but how you’re communicating it?

In this episode of RESONATE, I break down one of the most frustrating challenges leaders face: explaining a change clearly, logically, and convincingly - yet still getting pushback, silence, or slow execution.

After working with hundreds of leaders across organisations like Nestlé, Nespresso, and IMD Business School, I’ve seen the same pattern again and again: smart, capable professionals unintentionally create resistance through the way they communicate.

This episode introduces a powerful, research-backed framework—FORCE—that explains why people resist change and what you can do differently to finally get real buy-in.

If you lead transformation, pitch ideas, or want your team to actually follow through—this episode will change how you communicate.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The 5 hidden drivers of resistance (FORCE framework)
• Why “more data and logic” often make resistance worse
• The critical shift from convincing to de-risking
• How to reduce fear, overload, and skepticism in your messaging
• A simple communication approach that increases commitment and execution

Resources & Mentions:

• Daniel Kahneman — Thinking, Fast and Slow (loss aversion)
• Simon Sinek — on comfort vs. uncertainty in change
• Dr. George Kohlrieser — leadership & resistance to change

Check out episodes featuring past guests:
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Dr. Stephen Porges, Sarah Baldwin, Megan Dalla Camina, Dr. Lucy Hone, Dan Millman, Bruce Lipton, Kristen Butler, and more!

Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN

Kind Not Nice Phone Backgrounds - https://www.shannonjenkins.co/kindnot...
Work With Me - https://www.shannonjenkins.co/speakto...
Hire Me to Speak at Your Company - https://www.shannonjenkins.co/speaking

-
If you’re known as “the nice one” at work, this can quietly limit your influence more than you realise.

In this video, I break down the difference between being nice and being kind, and why avoiding discomfort often leads to being overlooked, overextended, or under-respected.

You’ll learn how to communicate with clarity and courage, handle difficult conversations earlier, and build respect without becoming harsh or performative.

I share a simple framework I use with clients inside global organisations to help them move from avoidance to clear, grounded communication — so their ideas are heard and acted on.

If you're new here: I’m Shannon Jenkins, a leadership communication trainer and keynote speaker trusted by organisations such as Nestlé, Nespresso and IMD Business School.

Download your High-Impact Presentation Checklist here: https://www.shannonjenkins.co/checklist
Work With Me: https://www.shannonjenkins.co/speakto...
Hire Me to Speak at Your Company: https://www.shannonjenkins.co/speaking

How do you become a confident public speaker, even if presentations make you nervous?

In this episode, keynote speaker and communication coach Shannon Jenkins shares six practical strategies that helped her go from feeling physically sick before presentations to speaking on stages in front of thousands of people.

If you struggle with public speaking anxiety, overprepare your presentations, or worry about how you come across when presenting, this episode will show you how to build real confidence, not through personality or mindset tricks, but through simple, practical changes in how you prepare and communicate.

Drawing on real experiences from high-stakes keynotes (including a talk where the slides failed minutes before going on stage), Shannon explains how to calm your nervous system, stay grounded under pressure, and shift your focus from self-doubt to serving your audience.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why memorising scripts can actually increase public speaking anxiety
• How to prepare presentations using clear message anchors instead of word-for-word scripts
• A simple breathing technique backed by neuroscience to calm stress before speaking
• How a single trigger word can help you regain control in stressful moments
• Why planning for things going wrong can actually make you more confident
• The powerful mindset shift from self-focus to audience focus
• Why competence — not mindset alone — is the real source of confidence

This episode is for you if:

• You feel nervous before presentations or meetings
• You want to become a more confident public speaker
• You need to communicate ideas clearly at work
• You want to speak with more authority and authenticity

Topics in this episode

Public speaking
Presentation skills
Confidence and mindset
Leadership communication
Overcoming presentation anxiety

Download your High-Impact Presentation Checklist here: https://www.shannonjenkins.co/checklist
Work With Me: https://www.shannonjenkins.co/speakto...
Hire Me to Speak at Your Company: https://www.shannonjenkins.co/speaking

Hey podcast listeners, as you may hear from the episode, this was designed to be watched. If you want to see the visuals as well as hear my explanation, subscribe to my channel and watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUWKLRjaWIc&t=119s

Let me know what you think of the new format!

What if meditation wasn’t about battling your busy mind but learning how to work with it? In this episode of Resonate, I sit down with Light Watkins — Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author, & Mindfulness Expert - to uncover how meditation can help us move from reactivity to responsiveness, unlock creativity, and build resilience in the face of daily pressures.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why negative thoughts during meditation are actually a sign of progress, not failure.
• How to shift from discomfort to delight in your practice.
• The difference between reacting and responding—and why it matters.
• Practical ways to make meditation sustainable and enjoyable.
• How cultivating stillness leads to more adaptability, presence, and creativity in everyday life.

Whether you’ve tried meditation before and struggled, or you’re curious to explore it for the first time, this conversation offers accessible insights to help you make meditation part of your daily rhythm.

📍 Light’s Resources & Mentions:

• Bliss More: How to Succeed in Meditation Without Really Trying
• lightwatkins.com
• Podcast - The Light Watkins Show
• https://www.instagram.com/lightwatkins

💌 Your 3-part free masterclass is here: How to Craft an Inspiring & Impactful Presentation

PS: Find more speaking & storytelling tips on Instagram & LinkedIn

👉 Check out episodes featuring past guests:
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Lynne McTaggart, Dr. Stephen Porges, Dr. Eben Alexander, Sarah Baldwin, Dr. Lucy Hone, Dan Millman, Bruce Lipton, Anna the Anxiety Coach, Kristen Butler, and more!

🎵 Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN
🎙 Hosted by Shannon Jenkins | @shannonjenkins.co

What if the biggest factor holding you back from promotions, partnerships, or opportunities isn’t your talent… but your connections?

In this solo episode of RESONATE, I break down why traditional “networking” feels fake, forced, and awkward, and how to completely reframe it into something authentic, generous, and deeply human.

Through personal stories, practical frameworks, and lessons from one of the world’s classic books on connection (Never Eat Alone), Shannon shares how to move beyond transactional interactions and start cultivating friendships that transform your career and your life.

Whether you’re a professional dreading the next networking event, an entrepreneur who knows relationships are the key to growth, or a leader looking to expand your influence, this episode will help you rethink networking for good.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why networking fails when it’s transactional—and what to do instead
  
  
• A simple mindset shift to prioritize quality over quantity of connections
  
  
• How to steer small talk into meaningful conversation without being awkward
  
  
• The unsexy (but powerful) system for staying in touch with people who matter most
  
  
• The art of generosity and how to share value that makes people remember you
  
  

📍 Resources & Mentions:

• Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
• Charisma on Command (Charlie Houpert)
• Follow Shannon on LinkedIn & Instagram for regular communication and leadership insights
  
  

🎧 Explore past episodes with thought-leaders including Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Sarah Baldwin, Nicole Vignola, Megan Dalla Camina, Dr. Bruce Lipton, and more.

The most confident are not the loudest in the room.

In this powerful conversation, Shannon sits down with award-winning leadership strategist, TEDx speaker, and behavioral researcher Shadé Zahrai to explore the deeper roots of imposter syndrome—and how to build the kind of confidence that doesn’t need to shout.

Together, they unpack what real self-trust looks like, why even high performers still second-guess themselves, and the four psychological shifts that can help you lead with clarity, calm, and quiet authority.

This episode is an invitation to stop over-questioning yourself, and start building the inner foundation that makes you the kind of leader people choose to follow.

✨ You’ll learn:

• Why the confidence-competence loop keeps so many leaders stuck
  
  
• The 4 pillars of self-trust—and how to strengthen each one
  
  
• How to lead with confidence (without needing to “feel” confident first)
  
  
• The surprising science behind imposter syndrome
  
  
• Why fixing your “weaknesses” might be slowing you down
  
  
• How to stop second-guessing and start showing up fully
  
  
  

Shadés Resources & Mentions:

• Newsletter
• Youtube

💌 Your 3-part free masterclass is here: How to Craft an Inspiring & Impactful Presentation
PS: Find more speaking & storytelling tips on Instagram & LinkedIn

👉 Check out episodes featuring past guests:
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Lynne McTaggart, Dr. Stephen Porges, Dr. Eben Alexander, Sarah Baldwin, Dr. Lucy Hone, Dan Millman, Bruce Lipton, Anna the Anxiety Coach, Kristen Butler, and more!

🎵 Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN
🎙 Hosted by Shannon Jenkins | @shannonjenkins.co