The Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast: Navigating Leadership with Emotional intelligence

In Ep. 34 The EQ Gents had the absolute privilege to sit down with James Lawrence, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy, a company whose mission is to help business leaders accelerate company performance at scale. Through Happy’s AI-based technology platform, companies have found a solution that supercharges communication, collaboration, and productivity. Join us as James dives into a myriad of very relevant and important topics with the Gents, starting with his own personal journey as a rising founder and ceo, and how he recommends companies solve the challenges they face when it comes their people day in and day out. More specifically, the episode hits on the below key topics: 1) Early Mistakes in Leadership 2) The Shift from Command and Control Leadership 3) Controlling Emotional Response as a Leader 4) Creating Space for Emotional Reset 5) Candor and Responsiveness in Leadership 6) Challenges Company’s Face in Developing Company Culture 7) Creating a Culture of Openness and Psychological Safety 8) The Business Case for Investing in Your People 9) Assessing Your Team’s Level of Engagement 10) Scaling Emotional Intelligence Find James Lawrence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflawrence/ Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents.

In this episode, Sameer and Ismail deep dive into a universal issue that folks at all levels of an organization deal with on a daily basis. That is dealing with difficult coworkers, whether its your boss, peer or subordinate, a difficult coworker can cause leaders a tremendous amount of stress as they navigate their day to day work life. Ismail and Sameer will share personal anecdotes and most common reasons why difficult employees often end up winning in the battle between whats right for the individual and whats right for the larger organization. Episode 33 is packed with useful tips and tricks on overcoming the challenges of dealing with difficult coworkers through empathy, understanding, and flexing your emotional intelligence to deescalate your next difficult encounter. Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents.

In this episode, Sameer and Ismail had a fantastic conversation with Grant ‘Upbeat’ Bosnick! Grant definitely lived up to his name by bringing an infectious energy and a ton of useful insights to share with our audience. ‘Upbeat’, as he commonly goes by, is an author, leadership & team expert, professional musician, keynote speaker, and Managing Director of YES (Your Empowering Solutions), a boutique HR consultancy. Grant ‘Upbeat’ Bosnick has been a resident of Singapore and Asia for over 25 years and has consulted and spoke at 100+ Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 clients spanning 45 countries and 6 continents. The episode centers on the topic of Auto-Pilot thinking traps many leaders face, but hits on a number of relevant adjacent topics, including: Find Grant ‘Upbeat’ Bosnick: https://grantbosnick.com/about/https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-upbeat-bosnick/https://www.instagram.com/grantbosnick/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tailored-Approaches-Self-Leadership-Psychology-Neuroscience-ebook/dp/B0B8379FF6/Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents.

Sameer and Ismail were very lucky to have Ani Naqvi on our podcast this week! Ani, has had 4 near-brushes with death including a cancer diagnosis, and surviving one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history, the Asian Tsunami of 2004. Ani has leveraged these experiences to find her true purpose in life, and is now determined to help others become their best self and live their best life. After 15 years of C-suite leadership, Ani prides herself in creating exceptional results for the many executives she coaches. Ani is adept at maximizing their potential and leading themselves and their teams to success, balancing fulfilment, freedom, joy, and purpose. Our discussion centered on the topic of how our own self-saboteurs afflict our lives and strategies to overcome these self-saboteurs to escape our surviving brain and start reaping the benefits of our thriving brain. Main Topics: Find Ani Naqvi: https://ultimateresultsgroup.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ani-naqvi/https://www.instagram.com/ani.naqvi/?hl=en Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents.

In this conversation, Sameer and Ismail discuss the significant role emotional intelligence plays in a leader’s ability to make good decisions. Ultimately, decision-making is an art that requires the proper mix of data, rationality, and a little bit of good old-fashioned gut-instinct. In this episode, the EQ Gents will dive into how enhancing your EQ will transform you into boss decision-maker. Main Topics: Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents.

In this conversation, Sameer and Ismail speak with Kachelle Kelly, an expert in emotional intelligence (EQ) and leadership. They discuss the importance of EQ and its adoption in various communities, particularly the black community. Kachelle introduces the concept of a fifth element in EQ specifically for the black community. They explore the impact of trauma on emotional intelligence and the challenges faced by black individuals in the workplace. The conversation highlights the need for understanding and support for the black community and the role of EQ in bridging cultural differences. Takeaways Chapters 02:22: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence 07:17: The Adoption of Emotional Intelligence 11:46: The Fifth Element of Emotional Intelligence 18:19: The Benefit of Emotional Intelligence for the Black Community 23:38: Defensiveness and Vulnerability 28:11: The Impact of Trauma on Emotional Intelligence 29:49: Understanding and Supporting the Black Community in the Workplace 32:28: The Intersection of EQ and Cultural Differences Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents.

This conversation explores the difference between idealism and optimism and how they interplay in leadership. Idealism is defined as a belief in perfect possibilities and striving for utopia, while optimism is defined as expecting the best even in challenging times. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balancing idealism and optimism to be an effective leader. It discusses how idealism can motivate teams by providing a grand vision, while optimism can motivate teams by instilling positive energy. The impact of idealism and optimism on decision-making is also explored, highlighting the need for a realistic approach. The role of emotional intelligence in bridging the gap between idealism and optimism is discussed, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and empathy. The conversation concludes with a call to action for leaders to reflect on their own approach and understand the perspectives of others. Takeaways Chapters 00:00: Introduction and Background 01:11: Defining Idealism and Optimism 02:44: The Importance of Balancing Idealism and Optimism 04:16: Motivating Teams with Idealism 05:03: Motivating Teams with Optimism 06:26: The Impact of Idealism and Optimism on Decision-Making 08:18: The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Balancing Idealism and Optimism 17:37: The Importance of Empathy in Leadership 21:25: Using Emotional Intelligence to Bridge the Gap 23:43: Call to Action: Self-Reflection and Understanding Othe Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

In EP 27 of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast the EQ Gents had the pleasure of sitting down with Adrian Koehler, leadership engagement expert and senior partner at the executive coaching firm, Take New Ground. Adrian coaches execs and entrepreneurs in the art of science of leadership for themselves, their teams, and clients to create new, unprecedented results and experience fulfillment in their work. Adrian’s constant pursuit of people and experiences that push him closer to the edge is the way he has always lived his life. His diverse career history and the anecdotes he shares in this episode are evidence of his unique approach to coaching. During this episode we hit on a bunch of really interesting topics like: - The Role of Crisis in Personal Growth - Outward Mindset and Leadership - The Influence of Past Experience - The Fear of Vulnerability - The Journey to Authenticity More about Adrian Koehler: He is the Founder and Senior Partner at Take New Ground, a leadership coaching, training, and consulting firm based in Los Angeles. TNG partners with select executives and organizations to get the results they want by creating the culture they need. He is the co-host of two engaging podcasts: Raising The Bar with Drybar Founder Alli Webb and The Naked Leadership Podcast with TNG Sr Partner Dan Tocchini. Drawing on his background in philanthropy, ministry, activism, and medicine, Adrian thrives in extreme environments and finds comfort in difficult conversations—in fact, his passion for human performance has taken him around the globe, serving people in times of crisis, transformation, and stalemates. Over the last decade, Adrian has trained and developed leaders at NIKE, Virgin Hyperloop One, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Herschel Supply Co., Oprah Winfrey Network, Gavin DeBecker & Associates, Siegel & Gale, UCLA, and elsewhere. Prior to his work as an executive coach, Adrian was the founding executive director of The Cornerstone Project, a grant-giving foundation that supports positive life transformation and spiritual reconciliation for the incarcerated and those with criminal histories. Before moving to Los Angeles in 2005, Adrian worked as a pediatric intensive care specialist at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He has also served as a pastor and community organizer at Mosaic LA and founded serveLA, Mosaic’s community dedicated to holistic development for the marginalized and vulnerable in Los Angeles. He received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing while playing football at Millikin University. Adrian resides in the heart of Hollywood, Los Angeles with his wife and four children. Connect with Adrian Koehler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrian.k/?hl=enb Connect with Adrian Koehler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriankoehler/ Link to learn more about Take New Ground: http://takenewground.com/ Link to ‘The Naked Leadership’ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-naked-leadership-podcast/id1495058489 Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

In EP26 the EQ Gents dig into a well-known inhibitor for many aspiring leaders looking to propel their careers. The term, known as ‘Imposter Syndrome’ or ‘Imposterism’, was first identified by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, to describe a pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and harbor a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud." The term was further popularized by Dr. Valerie Young’s book in 1980 called, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, wherein Dr. Young identifies 5 archetypes of ‘Imposter Syndrome’ commonly seen in females in the workforce. More recent research has led to the conclusion that males also suffer from ‘Imposter Syndrome’ to the same degree as females. In this episode, our co-hosts will take a deep dive into Imposter Syndrome, specifically how it shows up and detrimental impacts unchecked Imposter Syndrome can have on one’s mental health and career performance. No doubt, the EQ Gents have had their own personal battles with Imposter Syndrome which they share throughout this enlightening episode. Topics: 1) Explaining the origin story of ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and how it became widely known as a career killer. 2) The common signs and symptoms one should look out for to determine if they are being plageud by Imposter Syndrome. 3) The five (5) archetypes of Imposter Syndrome 4) Strategies the EQ Gents have personally employed to get through their own struggles with Imposter Syndrome over the years. Also make sure to check out our host Ismail Qadry’s personal Imposter Syndrome Survival Guide, with helpful tips and tricks to overcome your Imposter Syndrome. Click this link to access: https://eq.ismailqadry.com/ Link to Dr. Valerie Young’s Book - The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women - https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Thoughts-Successful-Women-Impostor/dp/0307452719 Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

Summary: The conversation explores the themes of authenticity, trust, and emotional intelligence in various contexts, including leadership, parenting, and employee development. In this episode, we discuss the importance of being authentic and trustworthy as leaders, and the potential pitfalls of being overly positive or performative. David touches on the concept of the arc of justice, which relates to the idea that the arc over time in a relationship will tend towards intimacy rather than anger. The conversation concludes with a discussion on how emotional intelligence plays a role in receiving and reacting to emotional range from others. Key Takeaways Link to Evolution Website: https://evolution.team/david-shechtman Connect with David Shectman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshechtman/ Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

Our workforce is more diverse than ever before. This diversity extends beyond race and religion. As generations converge in the modern workplace, we see a large ideological range and sweeping differences in worldviews. Episode 23 of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast focuses on why leaders must show an active interest in and engage on topics to gain a greater understanding of their team-members as people, beyond the scope of their jobs. Episode 23 centers on the following major themes and topics: We look forward to sharing our insights with you all and fielding your comments and feedback. Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents.

In this episode of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast, hosts Ismail and Sameer delve into the intersection of emotional intelligence and leadership. A key focus is the idea that good leaders are fiercely loyal to their team members, a trait they suggest might be underrated. By showing up for their teams, leaders can build trust, confidence, and a sense of accountability. Topics also covered include recognizing moments for demonstrating loyalty, the dangers of being overly loyal, and the significance of psychological safety within a team. Long-term solutions and mutual commitment underscore their views on successful leadership. The hosts emphasize the profound impact of leaders' fierce loyalty during challenging times, and they welcome listeners to engage in their ongoing series on what makes good leaders and managers. They share personal experiences and highlight the importance of standing up for your team. Loyalty builds trust and fosters a sense of security among team members, leading to greater accountability and achieving collective goals. Tune in to gain insights on creating a supportive and empathetic environment. Key Topics Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:02) Importance of Leader's Loyalty (00:03:43) Significance of Employee Loyalty (00:08:43) Barriers to Managerial Loyalty (00:11:10) Risks of Over-Loyalty (00:12:16) Leadership & Team Loyalty (00:16:55) Children & Mimicry (00:17:51) Psychological Safety in Teams (00:22:39) Business Risks (00:28:25) Commitment Discussion (00:30:01) Underrated Qualities in Leaders Link to 6 Seconds: https://www.6seconds.org/ 6 Seconds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6secondseq/?hl=en Connect with Joshua Freedman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freedman/ Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com

In this Episode, we cover a myriad of really interesting topics with our special guest, Joshua Freedman. The Episode taps into how Joshua’s company, 6 Seconds’, data-driven approach to determine the psyche of today’s workforce. Some questions and insights you will find in Episode 21: More about Joshua Freedman: Joshua Freedman's journey into the world of emotional intelligence began with a profound fascination with human behavior and a burning desire to understand the role of emotions in shaping our lives. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to researching, teaching, and advocating for EQ as a critical skill for personal and professional success. Key Achievements: Joshua Freedman, as the CEO of 6 Seconds, has dedicated his life to promoting emotional intelligence as a pathway to a better world. His passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to this cause have inspired countless individuals and organizations to embrace the power of emotions for personal and collective growth. Joshua's work continues to shape the way we understand and practice emotional intelligence, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change in its wake. Link to 6 Seconds: https://www.6seconds.org/ 6 Seconds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6secondseq/?hl=en Connect with Joshua Freedman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freedman/ Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of FOPO, a modern-day phenomenon amplifying our innate fears of judgment from others. We explore its evolutionary roots, highlighting the human instinct to seek societal acceptance. We share our personal encounters with FOPO, emphasizing how it has influenced various aspects of our lives, including this very podcast journey as well as discuss the exacerbating role of social media in the age of constant feedback loops and digital validation. This episode touches upon the spectrum of FOPO's impact, from workplace dynamics to individual decision-making. We also offer insights and strategies for listeners to identify, confront, and potentially overcome this looming fear, advocating for self-awareness and genuine self-expression. Key Takeaways: Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

Ismail and Sameer are joined by a very special guest on Episode 19 of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast, Mr. Bill Carson. Bill Carson dives deep into topics that are very near and dear to his life’s work as a resilience coach, emotional and social intelligence coach, and well-being coach. The podcast episode centers on how employers can meet the demands of today’s workforce with effective upskilling for psychological risk management, and sharing practical ways leaders can implement mental health first aid into their leadership approach. About Bill Carson: Topics covered in Episode 19 of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast include: You can find Bill Carson at the follow places: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-carson-4a645618/ https://inspirelearning.au/ Link to Bill Carson’s recent book release: Safe Conversation For Work and Life: https://a.co/d/5sXrNxy Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of emotional intelligence with Tara Renze, who is an author, emotional intelligence practitioner, entrepreneur, speaker, blogger, and thought leader. Tara shares her personal journey, the importance of self-awareness, and how to set "butterfly goals" to achieve your dreams. Whether you're looking to improve your leadership skills or simply understand yourself better, this episode is packed with insights that can change your life. Key Takeaways: Understanding Burnout:The Role of Emotional Intelligence: The Importance of Self-Awareness:Empathy as a Leadership Skill:The Big Ask and Gender Differences:Free Emotional Intelligence Assessment: You can find more information using the links to resources below Tara Renze's Website: https://www.tararenze.com/ Free Emotional Intelligence Assessment - On the https://www.tararenze.com/ website $100,000 Pyramid Episode featuring Tara: Amazon Prime Video Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

In this episode, Ismail and Sameer sit down with Dr. Kristin Neff, pioneer researcher and renowned expert in the field of self-compassion. Dr. Neff is an associate professor at the University of Texas-Austin, in their Department of Educational Psychology. She is author of several books such as The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, Fierce Self Compassion and Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.” Dr. Neff is the co-founder of the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion and has been credited with the first academic studies on the topic of Self-Compassion. Her TedX talk on the topic of self-compassion has nearly 3 million views on YouTube to date. During our one-hour long discussion with Dr. Neff we covered a myriad of really insightful topics and Dr. Neff shared practical ways that each of us can bring more self-compassion into our lives. Some of the topics covered include: The episode centers on the topic of self-compassion with very practical applications explained throughout. Please listen in, and as always we look forward to hearing from you all with feedback on how you plan to use the tips and tricks you learn from Episode 17. You can find more information about Dr. Kristin Neff, her research, literature, and initiatives at the below links: https://self-compassion.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Neff https://www.instagram.com/NeffSelfCompassion/?hl=en TedX Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvtZBUSplr4 Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

In this episode, Ismail and Sameer speak with Jordan Tivers, LCSW, CGP, an individual and group psychotherapist in private practice in Chicago. Jordan shares insights about his clinical practice where he treats primarily other psychotherapists and people in leadership positions, coaching founders, high-venture employees, and new managers to cultivate stronger social and emotional intelligence skills. Jordan discusses his mastermind group that focuses on group psychology and leadership. His work is organized around emotional intelligence, both personally and professionally. Some of the topics covered include: The conversation offers an interesting look into the field of psychotherapy and emotional intelligence, providing valuable insights for professionals in various industries and leadership positions. Please listen in, and as always we look forward to hearing from you all with feedback on how you plan to use the tips and tricks you learn from Episode 16 You can find Jordan at the follow places https://chicagomasterminds.com https://jordantivers.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-tivers-lcsw-cgp-32066257 Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents

Join Ismail and Sameer by tuning into Episode 15 of The Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast as they discuss how you can master your next difficult conversation. In this episode titled, “Emotional Agility: Harnessing Your Emotions in Difficult Conversations,” our hosts share a ton of valuable insights into how to control your own emotions and the emotions of your counterparts to achieve positive outcomes. Our hosts will explain the key role emotional intelligence strategies like employing empathy and regulating one’s own emotions can have to make or break your next tough conversation. Further, Ismail and Sameer act as enzymes to break-down the metaphysical impact a difficult conversation has on the human body and techniques you can use to stay calm and have zero regrets walking away from these types of interactions. Episode 15 touches on a very pertinent and important topic that is relatable to all. Without a doubt, we all will encounter difficult conversations in our professional and personal lives. This episode will provide the winning formula for quick efficient resolutions and help you learn how to maintain the upper-hand throughout. Please listen in, and as always we look forward to hearing from you all with feedback on how you plan to use the tips and tricks you learn from Episode 15 to master your next difficult conversation. Feel free to send us an email at info@emotionalintelligents.com and share your thoughts or visit us at https://linktr.ee/emotionalintelligents