The moment someone challenges your idea, do you defend it—or accidentally convince the room you weren’t confident in it to begin with? AJ and Johnny break down why smart, analytical professionals often start hedging when their recommendations get challenged. The problem isn’t always confidence. It’s that they react to what they think the other person means instead of understanding the real concern underneath the pushback. You’ll learn how deep listening helps you stop getting defensive, uncover what someone is actually worried about, and hold your position with greater confidence. Because listening and standing firm aren’t opposites—the better you understand the room, the easier it becomes to stand behind your work. Episode Resources: ⁠⁠⁠https://elitehumandynamics.com/theos?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=sib-episode-frame-5 Chapters 00:00 – Why you start waffling when challenged02:12 – The blind spot keeping you stuck04:04 – Stop guessing what other people are thinking06:04 – Listen for the concern underneath the pushback08:11 – Why deep listening makes you more confident10:19 – How to hold your position when challenged11:06 – Your challenge for the next meeting Keywords deep listening, active listening, communication skills, confidence, workplace communication, executive presence, difficult conversations, leadership, professional communication, listening skills, self awareness, workplace confidence, decision making, assertiveness, emotional intelligence, handling pushback, strategic communication, interpersonal skills, meetings, career growth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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