If Your Team Isn’t Listening, It’s Not Them
This is how Keystone described the conversation between Eric and Kevin McGinnis in their e-mail push:
This week on The Disruption Lab, Eric Morgenstern, Founder and CEO of Morningstar Communications, talks about what it really takes to lead through words—how listening, trust, and clarity can transform leaders, founders, and entire organizations in a noisy, digital-first world.
Drawing from decades advising executives and “startup whispering” dozens of founders, Eric breaks down why most leaders communicate for themselves instead of the recipient—and how a few simple shifts can change everything. From trust in the age of Uber and TripAdvisor to AI as just the latest communications tool (not a replacement for soul), he shares practical frameworks any leader can use to be clearer, more authentic, and more effective.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
How “recipient-oriented communication” helps leaders stop assuming everyone thinks like they do
A simple “What, So What, Now What” structure that makes messages easier to understand and repeat
What today’s shift in trust—from experts and institutions to peers and platforms—means for leaders
Why aligning your written and spoken voice matters when most people “meet you” online before in person
Common founder missteps in pitching, from over-talking the widget to using “wimpy words” that undercut confidence
How listening more, simplifying your message, and remembering “this too shall pass” can steady you through the ups and downs of leadership
Whether you care about better leadership, stronger teams, or telling your startup’s story so people actually care, this conversation will change the way you think about communication, trust, and influence.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts:
Spotify | Apple | YouTube