Listening as a Superpower: Transforming Conversations into Opportunities for Growth

 323 - Listening as a Superpower: Transforming Conversations into Opportunities for Growth

May 13, 2025•3 min read

The Transformative Power of Listening: Insights from Keren Novack, President of Curion

Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPT

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll has an engaging conversation with Keren Novack, President of Curion, a leader in the field of consumer insights and experience. Keren shares her journey from a liberal arts education to becoming a leader in the e-learning industry, touching on the importance of empathy, active listening, and fostering a culture of trust within a company. The episode explores valuable insights into leadership, the role of artificial intelligence in business, and how listening plays a crucial role in building strong relationships both personally and professionally.

Keren Novack’s Leadership Journey: From Education to Empowering Teams

Keren’s educational foundation in psychology at Franklin and Marshall College played a key role in shaping her approach to leadership. Initially questioning the practicality of a liberal arts degree, Keren now emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and a broad knowledge base, especially in today’s fast-paced world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming integral in business operations. She explains how the skills developed through her education have helped her navigate complex business landscapes and made her an effective leader.

Her career took a defining turn when she joined L’Oréal, where she discovered her passion for consumer insights. This experience led to her eventual co-founding of Curion, a company dedicated to helping organizations understand and improve the customer experience. Keren’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to continuous learning have driven her success, and she credits her achievements to her willingness to take risks and seek new challenges.

As President of Curion, Keren’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that trust and collaboration are the keys to building a thriving organization. By hiring talented individuals and fostering an environment of open communication, she has created a culture where employees feel empowered to contribute to the company’s success. This emphasis on empathy and alignment has been instrumental in Curion’s growth, helping them build long-lasting relationships with clients and customers alike.

About Keren Novack

Keren Novack is the President of Curion, a company that specializes in consumer insights and experience management. With a background in psychology and extensive experience in consumer research, Keren leads her team in developing innovative solutions to help businesses understand their customers' needs and preferences. Her leadership is characterized by empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement, which has driven Curion’s success in the market.

About Curion

Curion is a leading provider of consumer insights and experience solutions, helping businesses optimize their customer experience through data-driven insights. With a focus on deep understanding and actionable feedback, Curion works with clients across various industries to enhance their product development, marketing strategies, and overall customer engagement.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Key Episode Highlights:

  • Keren’s journey from psychology to consumer insights and the role of education in leadership.

  • The importance of empathy, trust, and open communication in building strong teams.

  • Insights into how AI is transforming business processes and its role in the future of consumer insights.

  • The power of listening in leadership and how it fosters strong relationships.

  • Strategies for creating a positive work culture that empowers employees to drive company success.

Conclusion

Keren Novack’s journey from a liberal arts education to leading a successful consumer insights company highlights the importance of continuous learning, empathy, and a collaborative leadership style. Her insights into the role of AI, leadership, and the power of listening serve as valuable lessons for anyone looking to create strong, effective teams and enhance business operations. By prioritizing empathy and active listening, Keren has built a culture at Curion that supports growth, innovation, and long-lasting relationships.

Ready to explore more leadership insights? Visit Doug Noll’s website to learn more, and if you’re a leader with valuable experience, apply to be a guest on Listening with Leaders here.

Back to Blog