Birthing a book is a long and arduous process! There are multiple moments of self-doubt, trepidation and questioning. 
My goal in writing the book was to be helpful, and to be of service however possible.
 
My father, who recently passed, was very involved in the local Rotary Club in Pennsylvania, and they always recited the four-way test at every meeting:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
 
To me this always resonated with the lesson I taught in Improv; Always make your scene partner look good. It’s not about an internal focus; it is about serving those around you. 
 
The goal of the book is to be of service. If someone found some small thing, anything, then I am happy.
I am extremely delighted when my friend and colleague Nancy Bacon wrote a great blog post about my book. Check it out!
https://nancybacon.com/listening/
 
And I received so many great statements from early readers – it was overwhelming!
“Listening is about being truthfully present - not only with others, but with ourselves. This is the gift Andrew so skillfully and thought-provokingly unwraps in this book.”
“Andrew hits a home run with this fun and practical guide to improving the quality of your relationships at home and at work through the power of deep listening.”
 
I wrote this in the intro: 
Please tell me what you find out about your own listening
style! The more I get to hear your experiences and stories,
the more I get to learn about how the lessons and exercises
work for you. Please share your experiences!
Talk to me. I’ll listen.
 
I am serious. I want to know. If for no other reason, than to know I wasn’t operating in a void. 
 
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

The Ariel Group published an article about my book Listening without Agenda.

The Ariel Group develops powerful and authentic communication skills to drive better performance for leaders and their teams. They are an amazing training and coaching company I have worked with for a number of years.

Snippits from the article:
As you listen, your brain is constantly jumping to conclusions based on what you think you know rather than what’s being said. Andrew explains, “your medial prefrontal cortex [the right side of the brain] is always aware–listening, watching, seeing, smelling. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [the left side of the brain] works on categorizing all this data from the right side against what we already know.”

 - Once you begin categorizing, you stop listening.

Unless you’re concentrating on listening, the categorizing part of your brain takes over and creates a narrative for you based on what you’re hearing–often a narrative that is different from what the other person is saying. Stay present by actively listening and resisting the urge to categorize or extrapolate meaning.

Read it all here! https://www.arielgroup.com/how-to-be-a-better-listener/

Conscious businesses are built on intentional leadership—and one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) skills is deep listening.

Real listening isn’t just waiting for your turn to talk. It’s tuning in beyond the words, picking up on what’s not being said, and responding with awareness.

Let’s say a leader notices a normally reliable team member seems off. Instead of assuming or brushing it aside, they check in. Through a real conversation, they learn the employee is dealing with a personal health issue and struggling to keep up. Because the leader listened—really listened—they can adjust the workflow, rally support, and keep the project on track before things spiral.

Want to build this into your leadership training? Try this:
🔹 Ask yourself, “What did you hear?”
🔹 Then go further, “What wasn’t said?”

Deep listening saves time, energy, and resources while strengthening trust. It’s a game-changer.

Are you ready to level up your lsitening skills and leadership presence? Let’s connect. Contact 

​#ImprovMindset
#ListenwithoutAgenda
#Leadership #DeepListening 

What’s the Most Impactful Thing You Learned in 2024?

According to a recent HBR article, many leaders name the importance of thoughtful listening and fostering strong, supportive relationships.

How do you do that?

Read my book!  https://a.co/d/2riJ5Vf
#ListenwithoutAgenda
​
Available NOW at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org and anywhere else!

My new book ‘Listening without Agenda’ is now available for pre-sale!

I have been working with Manuscripts Publishing for the last 6 months, and the revisions editor just handed me A PILE of notes. To provide more context and understanding of the exercises contained in my book, I am adding even more personal stories and anecdotes from my life and experiences to help tell this story. 

To say this has been a whirlwind process is an understatement. It has been both extremely satisfying and horrifyingly scary. And there is the underlying fear of ‘what if people just don’t care?’ It feels highly vulnerable to be sharing my life’s work with all of you. However, I know this is part of the process. 

Let’s see how it resonates.

I will be releasing the Introduction and some early chapters soon to get feedback. Please tell me if you would like to be a part of the group to help me shape this beast.
SIGN UP HERE - andrew-mcmasters.presale.manuscripts.com/registration/select

​Many years ago I had a chance to tour Newgrange in Ireland.

If you don't know about it, Newgrange, is a 5,200 year old passage tomb located in the Boyne Valley. Above the entrance to the passage there is an opening which allows sunlight to penetrate the chamber for 17 minutes at 9am on only ONE day of the year, Dec 21st, the winter solstice. The accuracy this time-telling device is remarkable when you considers that it was built 500 years before the Great Pyramids and more than 1,000 years before Stonehenge.

For me - it is always a reminder of new beginnings. The year is over, and starting again. Like New Year's day. Fresh beginnings. From Dec 21st on, the days get longer. The sunshine lasts a little more (which is Seattle is a necessary thing...)

It's also a great reminder of letting go of past mistakes. That workout program didn't stick last year? Try a new one! That business venture failed? What's next? It's all cyclical - and it all starts over again.

My friend Armaund in DC has a Solstice party every year where people can write notes about things from the past year, they put it in a ball, light it on fire and roll it down a hill. (it's more like a ramp in his backyard...) The idea is still sound. It's time to release those things and start over again.

So what will you light on fire today? 

​Happy Solstice.

The past two years have created a lot of isolation and distance. It has also brought many people together, in ways that would have been previously unimaginable.

My last workshop for a client had participants in Singapore, London, Johannesburg, Mexico City and all over the United States. I've adjusted to waking up at all different hours to accommodate all different time zones. As much as we have been at home, adjusting to virtual work and figuring out how to look good on Zoom while in sweat pants and slippers, we've had the opportunity to connect with people in places all over the world. I can now count these people as friends. I get to hear how their lives and situations have been in upheaval due to COVID, and they get to hear about what is happening here in the US. They have expanded my understanding and knowledge of our connected  human experience in ways I would have never imagined. We share stories of our lives, families, joys, sorrows and recipes. 

​We have all lost something  in our lives from this pandemic. Let's also look at what we have gained: a global understanding, an international reach, and new friends. For this, I am grateful.

​Happy New Year everyone. I hope to see you all face-to-face soon.