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How to Read the Room and Communicate Better at Work with Dr. Victoria Stakelum

Ever wish you could read minds in meetings or knew what someone else was thinking? While telepathy might be out of reach, understanding emotions, body language, and unspoken cues is a skill you can develop - and it can completely transform your workplace interactions.

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Stakelum, a psychologist and subconscious mind specialist, reveals the science of mind reading - or rather, how to truly read the room, anticipate responses, and adapt your communication for better results.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why mind reading starts with understanding yourself.
• How to spot the subtle nonverbal cues that reveal what people are really thinking.
• The hidden emotional undercurrents in workplace conversations (and how to navigate them).
• Why people rarely say what they mean - and how to uncover their true concerns.
• How self-awareness helps you filter out biases and avoid misreading situations.
• Practical techniques for improving emotional intelligence and workplace communication.
• The work of Marshall Rosenberg - a clinical psychologist who pioneered this approach to promoting empathic dialogue and understanding among all parties. His book is called Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.

Whether you’re negotiating with your boss, leading a team, or just trying to work out what’s really going on in a meeting, this episode will give you lightbulb moments that will change the way you interact at work.

Find Dr Victoria Stakelum at thesuccesssmith.com or on LinkedIn.

How Listening Can Transform Your Conversations with Jessica Ball

We like to think we’re good listeners—but are we really? Too often, we drift in and out of conversations, half-hearing what’s being said while planning what to say next. So how do we shift from passive hearing to deep, intentional listening - the kind that transforms relationships, builds trust, and even changes lives?

In this episode, we’re joined again by Jessica Ball, a meetings facilitator who knows that listening is more than just hearing words—it’s about creating connection.

Together we explore:

• Why most of us default to “social listening” (and how it’s holding us back).
• The three levels of listening - to yourself, to others, and to a group.
• How our biases, emotions, and assumptions shape what we hear.
• Why no one is truly boring if you know how to unlock their story.
• How listening can be the antidote to polarisation, judgement, and disconnection.
• Simple techniques to sharpen your listening skills - for richer, more meaningful conversations.

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling unheard - or realised too late that you weren’t really listening - this episode is for you.

Find Jessica Ball at www.creatingmeaning.club or on LinkedIn.

How to Speak Up and Be Heard in Any Group with Dr. Victoria Stakelum

Ever felt silenced in a meeting, outnumbered in a discussion, or too intimidated to challenge the status quo? You’re not alone. Groupthink is a deeply ingrained survival instinct - we’re wired to stick with the herd, even when we disagree. But what if staying silent means the wrong decision gets made?

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Stakelum, a psychologist and NLP Master Coach, helps us understand why speaking up feels so hard—and how to do it anyway.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why groupthink happens - and how it can lead to bad decisions.
• How to recognise when you’re in a groupthink moment.
• The subtle psychological tricks to make your voice heard.
• How to frame your opinion so others actually listen (without triggering resistance).
• Why having just one ally in the room can change everything.
• Practical strategies for bringing confidence, presence, and authority to group discussions.

Whether it’s a team meeting, a social gathering, or a high-stakes decision, knowing how to challenge the group without alienating yourself is a game-changer.

This episode is for you if you want to learn how to hold your ground, influence the conversation and make sure your voice is heard.

Find Dr Victoria Stakelum at thesuccesssmith.com or on LinkedIn.