What If the Most Powerful Conversations Begin Before You Speak?

What if the secret to deep connection, trust, and impactful conversations lies in what happens before we speak?

In this powerful episode of Friday Feelings, host Jenelle Friday welcomes Geoffrey Owen, a thoughtful leader and deeply reflective communicator, to explore how emotional intelligence is most effective when it begins before the first interaction. Together, they dive into the art and science of emotional preparation—researching, reading the room before stepping into it, and truly seeing people for who they are before the conversation even starts.

Geoffrey shares how his approach to “pre-conversation listening” has transformed his professional and personal relationships. This practice—rooted in empathy, respect, and intentionality—has helped him create meaningful connections from the very beginning. By understanding someone's story, values, and background ahead of time, Geoffrey is able to lead with curiosity and compassion rather than assumptions or control. It's not about being overly strategic or manipulative; it’s about honoring the other person’s humanity through active, unseen listening.

Throughout the conversation, Jenelle and Geoffrey discuss how this EQ-driven mindset opens the door to trust, minimizes misunderstandings, and equips us to navigate challenging dynamics with grace. They explore how slowing down, observing patterns, and listening with your eyes, intuition, and attention creates safer environments for dialogue and growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Listening Begins Before Speaking: How reading between the lines—emails, LinkedIn posts, team behavior—can help you enter conversations with greater clarity and purpose.
• Emotional Preparedness is a Trust Tool: Being intentional before a conversation shows you value the other person’s time, energy, and emotions.
• Empathy Over Control: Leading with empathy means letting go of the need to steer the conversation and instead allowing the other person’s truth to guide the way.
• See First, Then Speak: “If you’re not seen, you can’t hear anything.” Geoffrey unpacks this profound truth and how being seen (and helping others feel seen) radically shifts communication.
• Self-Awareness and Personal Growth: Both Jenelle and Geoffrey reflect on moments where EQ required them to pause, unlearn old behavior, and make emotionally courageous choices.
• Emotional Safety is the Foundation: How creating a space where others can bring their full selves—especially in leadership and customer-facing roles—is essential to building rapport.

This episode is more than a conversation about listening—it’s a masterclass in how to prepare emotionally, mentally, and relationally to make every interaction more human, more honest, and more impactful.