Deep Listening

Deep Listening is a transformational approach I've evolved that enables us to create understanding and build trust. Deep Listening approach has been demonstrated to establish deeper connections where people feel safe to express themselves and genuinely understood, even if they profoundly disagree.

I work with leaders to enhance their effectiveness and foster an open empowering environment in their organisations and beyond offering communication workshops. I collaborate with polarised communities where Deep Listening is needed most - in Ethiopia, the Baltic republics and Lebanon. I've worked with the Executive team at Pearson PLC and with all staff at Anglo American and the Atlantic Council and global teams at the Ford Foundation. In addition to my solo work, I also collaborate with The Forward Institute and the British Council.

What makes my work distinctive is that my approach draws on rigorous academic evidence and real life experiences to empower people to create news ways of engaging with others, particularly across divides. In evolving this approach, I have drawn heavily on the work of the late psychologist Carl Rogers, among other psychologists and on academic research and practice by psychologists, lawyers, therapists, Indigenous people and fellow coaches and mediators.

My mainstage TED talk on Deep Listening is available here. HarperCollins published my book on Deep Listening, UK and US in 2025, which been named FT top business books to read this month, featured in McKinsey Talks, Next Big Idea Book Club,MSNBC, CNBC, Forbes, the Reuters Institute for the study of Journalism, the New Statesman, and the Church Times, among others.

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Endorsements of Deep Listening Book

Adam Grant, author & podcaster

If you’ve ever felt like two ears aren’t enough, this book is for you. Deep Listening reveals how we can improve at hearing others—and helping them hear us too

Alistair Campbell, former Dir Comms Prime Minister Tony Blair & Podcaster

We all like to think we are good listeners. We are not. Emily Kasriel gives a real insight into the art of listening and how listening better can help our sanity, our relationships and yes, our politics too

Oliver Burkeman, author 4000 weeks

In the days that I read Deep Listening I could feel it starting to change, in subtle but powerful ways, how I show up with others. This is an important, profound yet approachable book that could help make the world a far saner and more vibrant placeIf you'd like to listen to my meditations to centre you before you listen, access them here.

Christiana Figueres, climate diplomat & negotiator Paris Agreement

This book is a pathway to healing our divided world.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness pioneer

Deep Listening is a savvy and compassionate guide to better understand ourselves, others, and the world - essential when we face life's uncomfortable challenges. A welcome book for these times

Home Page

How to develop a Deep Listening approach | Stanford Social Innovation Review

An in-depth piece explaining what Deep Listening is, and the challenges and solutions of developing a Deep Listening approach in order to create impact and cross divides.

BBC marks 100 years with Crossing Divides around the Globe | BBC Media Centre

To celebrate the BBC Centenary, we recruited 1000 young people from 119 countries across the globe for Deep Listening training over three weeks.

BBC marks 100 years with Crossing Divides around the Globe | BBC Media Centre

To celebrate the BBC Centenary, we recruited 1000 young people from 119 countries across the globe for Deep Listening training over three weeks.

How can Deep Listening tackle polarisation? | British Council Essay

Drawing on academic research and the reflections of Deep Listening training participants, the essay details the impact DL has had on individuals and communities around the world.