Ep.20 Listening to Understand

In this episode, Katie talks with senior faculty member at CRR Global, David Wikander, about the importance of listening to understand in our relationships. Across this conversation, they discuss:

• What does it mean to really listen?
• What leads to us feeling misunderstood or unheard in our relationships?
• The impact of energy on our listening
• The importance of timing when it comes to listening
• Creating skilful behavioral contracts with our partners around WHEN and HOW we listen

David Wikander is a Senior Faculty member with CRR Global, certified with Team Diagnostic, and a certified Co-Active Coach. David’s approach is systems & relationship-oriented, whether he is working with teams, couples or individuals. This approach holds that we are always in relationship, whether the relationship is to the many aspects of our self, the relationship we have with others in our personal life, or the relationship we have within a team or organization. 

Part of what David brings to his coaching is immense diversity in education, training, mentoring, teaching, leadership development and workshop leading, as well as developing and operating several highly successful businesses. He adds to this his own lifelong personal and spiritual growth path.


For over 20 years, CRR Global has accompanied leaders, teams, and practitioners on their journey to build stronger relationships by focusing on the relationship itself, not only the individuals occupying it. This leads to a community of changemakers around the world. Supported by a global network of Faculty and Partners, we connect, inspire, and equip change agents to shift systems, one relationship at a time

We believe Relationship Matters, from humanity to nature, to the larger whole.