Catherine de la Poer talks to Sam Bleazard about why emotional intelligence and self awareness matter so much in leadership.

Comms from the Shed: interviewing diverse voices on our present and the future.

INTRO

0-5mins

• A definition of emotional intelligence
• Evolving in groups and the safety of a community setting (and the development of social brains)
• Managing change and change management

5mins30s

• Recognising that we have emotions
• Cognitive behavioural therapy: thought - emotion - action

7mins

• Getting in touch with ourselves and becoming more emotionally literate
• Love - only one word for it in English (the power of language)

9mins30s

• Happiness and contentment vs having negative thoughts (the EQ model, optimism and the power of hope)
• "I am future oriented"...and not feeling stuck in the past.
• Thoughts, beliefs and limiting assumptions (about yourself) that are outdated - exposing thoughts and emotions...and challenging yourself.
• Stepping away from the baggage of the past - and not getting stuck there.

13mins

• Psychological safety - and performing better - 'the ability for people to take inter-personal risks in a working environment'
• Managers should create a climate in a team where it's safe to take risks, where it's safe to speak up
• How to build trusted relationships? 42% of people leave meetings having said nothing

18mins

• Thrust into a management position in sales at 22 years old, and not really liking people
• "A natural people person and connector...kind of like my alter ego."
• Can you connect with somebody in 10secs - early experience of tele-sales

20mins

• Leaders at COP26 developing self-awareness

26mins

• Attending German language camp in the Black Forest and falling in love

27mins

• The teenage brain being very difficult to an adult brain (firing up the neuro-chemicals)

28mins

• 'everyone can be a leader...[to] sit in the driving seat of their own life'

30mins

• Human therapy - bringing horses into hospital and the power of animals helping people to heal
• Workplace choirs to break down silos

34mins

• Why do you want to be a manager? Are you in it for the right reason, and are people always right for management roles.
• Having to learn deep empathy.
• Promoting the 'winners' with the technical skills, the organisations results oriented people

39mins

• Leaders and the importance of always displaying great self-awareness

40mins

• 'to stay alive and vibrant you need to re-invent yourself'

42mins

• Listening, integrity and moral courage - the attributes of great leaders

44mins

• The power differential in traditional organisations and family hierarchies

47mins

• Reflections on the hybrid world post pandemic - can we be more self-aware and emotionally intelligent?

50mins

• Thinking about your mission and purpose - new possibilities and dreams

53mins

• Why does all this matter?
• Employee experience catching up with the customer experience in the eyes of investors.