Steve Rollnick ~ co-founder of motivational interviewing

I could listen to Professor Stephen Rollnick's insights and stories all day. Co-founder of motivational interviewing (MI), Steve has focused on how it can make a positive impact in different fields: healthcare, the prison service, education, sports coaching and we even touch on pain. Currently, Steve is bringing MI to parenting.

In essence, MI is a way to help people make changes to improve their lives. Often people are told what to do, having problems that need fixing. Further, the person can be deemed the actual problem itself. We know that this approach does not work well, resulting in resistance and 'kickback' in many cases.

Instead, we can use MI, which is a style, an art and an approach that focuses on the person and their potential. Through skilled conversation, they themselves address their ambivalence. In fact, MI is a way that we can communicate with anyone if we want to empathise, relate, bond, encourage, be curious and to care. MI opens the door.

In this chat, Steve openly talks about his beginnings as a trainee nurse in a very harsh and dangerous environment in South Africa, before escaping to Europe and embarking on a career in psychology and MI. His passion is clear. I am not sure he realises how many people he has influenced, encouraged and inspired. Many for sure.

Within the conversation we explore the essence of MI, healing, empathy, being present, listening, self-awareness and more.

To discover more, visit Steve's website where you will discover his books, including the recent 'Coaching Athletes to be their Best', recent webinar series, training and contact details. Steve is also on Twitter.

** Photo taken at an MI training event in the days when we could hug!