Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front ep. 75 with Simon Kardynal

Written for and published by Training Industry.

Anyone can say they support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by simply adding a page to their company’s website or posting about it on social media. But, actively supporting DEI in the workplace should be demonstrated by your behaviors, not just your words. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is an essential element in the implementation and adoption of DEI practices.

Although often used interchangeably, empathy and sympathy are fundamentally different. Empathy fuels connection. Sympathy drives disconnection.

Written for and published by Training Industry.

Hybrid work is here to stay. According to Zoom’s recent whitepaper, “How to Adapt Company Culture for Remote Work,” it’s impossible to go “back to normal”. The dynamics of collaboration have forever changed, with 72% of organizations operating via a hybrid working model, according to global averages from the Steelcase Global Report, 2021. Given this fundamental workplace shift, building connections on dispersed teams is increasingly essential for business success.

The technical skills that helped you get promoted into a leader/manager position does not guarantee your future success. As Marshall Goldsmith says, “what got you here, will not get you there.”

A key ingredient of emotional intelligence, self-awareness is the ability to recognize what you are feeling, understand your emotional responses to events, and recognize how your emotions affect your behaviors.

Psychological safety—the shared belief that it’s safe to take interpersonal risks as a group—fosters healthy team dynamics and interpersonal relationships. This can have a positive effect on high-quality decision making, innovation, and ultimately lead to highly-functioning leaders and teams.