Are We There Yet?

Sometimes people can feel like hostages to their organizations, leading to negative outcomes at every scale. As a team leader, how can you recognize and address these dynamics to generate a more supportive environment? At the end of the day, leadership and hostage negotiation require the same critical skills: preparation, persuasion, collaboration, and emotional regulation.

Sonja and Jamie interview expert crisis negotiator Scott Walker, author of the recent book, “Order Out of Chaos,” to learn lessons for team leaders who find themselves navigating crisis management and adversarial confrontations. 

The episode dives into the importance of honest, direct conversations, even when there are fundamental disagreements on the table. They also discuss strategies to maintain respect and fluid communication among all people involved using a clear understanding of both sides’ motivations. Take a peek into a high-stakes world that actually has many parallels in our everyday lives.

What is Are We There Yet??

Are We There Yet? is about recognizing, defining, and building pathways toward a more sustainable working future. How can we collaborate with others in a way that brings authenticity and durability to our projects and relationships? What tools can we leverage to communicate productively towards a shared goal? What can leaders do to shape where we’re going, and how to get there? Hosts Sonja Ernst and Jamie Hardy are two humans on a quest to understand just where we’re headed, in monthly conversations with pioneers, professors, artists, and experts in the fields of science, technology, placemaking, coalition building, AI, and so much more. Whether you're a business leader, a technology enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of how we do things, this podcast is for you.