THIS Leader Podcast
Episode 08: Welcome Feelings
March 25, 2025
In this episode, we explore why developing emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership. Discover how to build your emotional vocabulary, understand the stories behind your feelings, and use emotions as valuable data rather than letting them derail your leadership. Learn practical strategies to work constructively with emotions so you can lead with greater awareness and impact.
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As a leader constantly juggling responsibilities, you likely spend your day putting out fires and supporting others, while struggling to find time for your own work.
In this episode, I explore why emotional intelligence is a critical leadership skill that can transform your effectiveness and impact.
Research confirms that leaders who can accurately identify and manage emotions consistently outperform those who can't. Yet many of us have been taught there's no room for emotions at work. The truth? Emotions show up anyway, whether we acknowledge them or not.
I'll share practical techniques to expand your emotional vocabulary beyond "fine" or "okay," understand the stories behind your feelings, and use emotions as valuable data rather than potential derailers. You'll learn a simple framework to check in with yourself, trace your emotions without judgment, and make conscious choices about how to respond.
By developing this emotional awareness, you'll make better decisions, build stronger relationships, create more engaged teams, and experience the richness life has to offer; both personally and professionally.
"When we're disconnected from our emotions, we're disconnected from our power as leaders. And when we're not conscious of our emotions, we might try to protect ourselves from things that don't actually threaten us. That self-protection can hold us back from being courageous and honest, creating a destructive cycle."
Highlights from this episode:
In this episode, we explore the critical relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership, with practical tools to enhance your impact through emotional awareness.
The Leadership Imperative for Emotional Intelligence:
Emotions are valuable data points, not workplace liabilities. Research confirms that leaders who accurately identify and manage emotions consistently outperform those who can't. When we disconnect from our emotions, we disconnect from our leadership power.
Building Your Emotional Vocabulary:
- Moving beyond "mad, sad, glad, afraid" to a richer emotional palette
- Using emotion wheels and charts for greater emotional precision
- Implementing daily emotional check-ins as a leadership practice
- Recommended resource: Brené Brown's "Atlas of the Heart"
A Framework for Working with Emotions:
I share a simple four-step process: check in with yourself, trace emotions without judgment, explore underlying stories, and assess whether these patterns serve your leadership goals.
Real-World Application:
Through a workplace scenario, I demonstrate how emotional intelligence transforms challenging feedback situations from potential derailers into growth opportunities.
The Ripple Effect:
Our emotional states directly impact our teams through emotional contagion. As leaders, we set the emotional tone that either energizes or depletes those around us.
Coming Soon:
A conversation with Allison Livingston about her "Five Steps to Connect" methodology and its applications for leadership contexts.
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Source Citations:
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books.
Bracket, M. A., & Rivers, S. E. (2014). Transforming Students' Lives with Social and Emotional Learning. Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
Feelingswheel.com
Brown, B. (2021). Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. Random House.
Allison Livingston: https://www.5stepstoconnect.com/about
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Links mentioned in this episode:
- Feelingswheel.com - A visual tool to expand your emotional vocabulary
- Brené Brown's book: Atlas of the Heart
- Daniel Goleman's book: Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ
- Allison Livingston's Five Steps to Connect methodology
- Visit clairelaughlin.com for additional resources and tools
- Connect with me on social media @ClaireLaughlinConsulting
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About your Host
Claire Laughlin, MA, Organizational Development Consultant
Hi! I'm Claire Laughlin, and I love helping leaders like you create workplaces where people truly thrive.
For over two decades, I've been rolling up my sleeves alongside teams and organizations, using hands-on methods that actually work (because let's face it - theory only gets you so far!).Â
I specialize in teaching leaders how to engage their teams, helping managers become more effective facilitators, and showing people how to work better together.
I'm also a master facilitator for the Six Types of Working Genius® - a fantastic tool that helps you understand and leverage your natural talents.
When I'm not helping leaders like you build happy, high-energy workplaces, I'm enjoying a hike in the forest with my dog Fiona, spending time with my family or curled up with a great book.
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We have tons of great episodes waiting for you! Check them out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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