how to think and listen like the team at pixar animation Heidi Rosenfelder Jamie Woolf

how to think and listen like the team at pixar animation Heidi Rosenfelder Jamie Woolf

Author: Oscar Trimboli December 4, 2023 Duration: 23:45

Oscar Trimboli interviews Jamie Woolf and Heidi Rosenfelder, former employees of Pixar Animation Studios and founders of CreativityPartners, discussing the importance of listening in building connections and fostering innovation.

Woolf and Rosenfelder emphasize the need to slow down the questioning process and ask better, more meaningful questions.

They highlight the role of playback, curiosity, and emotional awareness in effective listening.

We've got three copies of the book, Creativity, Inc, a behind the scenes story about creativity by the founder at Pixar, Ed Catmull. https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Inc-Overcoming-Unseen-Inspiration/dp/0812993012

Email podcast@oscartrimboli.com with the subject Pixar and your reflections on this discussion between Jamie, Heidi and myself.

The conversation touches on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all voices to be heard, as well as the impact of power dynamics on listening.

Learn about advanced listening techniques including

  • The playback
  • Slowing down the process 
  • The importance of plussing
  • The role of the environment
  • Power dynamics

Inside Pixar


Most of us spend over half our working hours listening, yet almost no one has ever been taught how to do it well. The result is a cycle of frustration and missed connections, where genuine understanding feels just out of reach. Deep Listening-Impact beyond words-Oscar Trimboli moves past the simple mechanics of hearing to explore the profound space where real impact is made. Hosted by Oscar Trimboli, this series tackles the silent gaps in our conversations-the assumptions, distractions, and unspoken cues that derail collaboration and leadership. Each episode breaks down the tangible skills needed to listen beyond words, focusing on the physical, mental, and emotional layers that most overlook. You’ll hear practical techniques drawn from research and real-world scenarios, designed for leaders, managers, and anyone who needs to navigate complex workplace relationships. This isn’t about passive hearing; it’s about an active, disciplined practice that transforms meetings, feedback, and negotiations. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a framework to quiet the internal and external noise, creating the clarity that leads to better decisions and deeper human connection. Trimboli guides you through shifting from simply waiting to speak to truly understanding, turning a fundamental skill into your most powerful professional tool.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Deep Listening - Impact beyond words - Oscar Trimboli
Podcast Episodes
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