The Leader in You

We're here for our last day at the ATD conference and excited to share the recap of our Authors Chat session this morning on the 5 Quick Wins to Better Manage Team Conflict! Make sure to listen to the end for the opportunity to get the link for a FREE Team Emotional Safety Assessment Tool! The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams ca...

Day 3 ATD Recap Takeaways: Our perspective and experience on day 3, sharing our favorite takeaways from these speakers, and our participation in a podcast with Matt Gjersten from Leadership Launchpad Simone Biles  Matt Gjersten Scott Blanchard The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more groun...

When we thought we were fully prepared, it turned out we were in the wrong room. Mistakes happen all the time, luckily, we had the process to work with our difficult feelings and keep going anyway! The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.  C...

Day 1 at the ATD Conference: Special 4 Series Mini Podcast during our stay in Washington DC and our attendance at the ATD conference!!  The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.  CONNECT: EmC Leaders Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Channel...

What happens when unresolved childhood wounds resurface at work? In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Lola and Polina explore the emotional complexity of family-run businesses, the myth of “leaving emotions at the door,” and how emotional connection can rebuild trust and success. ⏱️ Episode Highlights: 04:00 – Two sisters take over their father's company—and old pain resurfaces 08:00 – Why “leave y...

In this high-energy, insight-packed episode of The Leader in You , Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld dive deep into how emotional disconnection acts like a virus in organizations—hijacking collaboration, clarity, and trust.  Discover how to diagnose , understand , and heal emotional safety issues using the TESSA assessment. From a playful pitch about “undercover EmC agents” to powerful analogies about...

In this episode of The Leader in You Podcast , Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina dive deep into an insightful real-world scenario of dealing with an aggressive customer interaction. Polina shares a personal experience in a retail environment, where her skills in emotional awareness, self-regulation, and empathy allowed her to effectively defuse a tense situation. This engaging discussion reveals pract...

Why do we lose motivation, dread team meetings, or feel exhausted just walking into work? In this powerful episode of The Leader in You podcast, co-hosts Paulina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld unpack the true cost of workplace incivility—and it goes far beyond what we see on the surface. Inspired by the short film Ripples and a riveting panel at SIOP 2025, this conversation explores how even subtle moment...

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast discusses the vital role of trust in workplace relationships. Dr. Lola Gershfeld, Polina Marian, and Chip Simmons dive deep into how trust is not just about behavior but about authentic emotional connection and how the EmC process transforms the way organizations build and sustain trust. They explore real-life stories, including lessons from Chip's 9,...

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast discusses effective leadership and emotional connection strategies inspired by FranklinCovey's recent conference. Lola and Polina explore delivering feedback effectively, nurturing human connections in remote work environments, and the role of emotional safety in team dynamics. They emphasize that genuine care and vulnerability are essential for effec...

In a recent Oval Office meeting , President Trump, Vice President Vance, and President Zelensky found themselves locked in a tense exchange —one that perfectly illustrates the negative cycle that derails communication, fuels mistrust, and blocks collaboration. The conversation quickly spiraled into blame, frustration, and defensiveness , mirroring the destructive pattern known as Find the Bad Guy...

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast explores the power of emotional awareness to foster stronger relationships in the workplace and at home. Dr. Lola Gershfeld, Polina Marian, and Niamh Hannan discuss how the Emotional Connection (EmC) process creates safety for emotional expression, helps identify underlying emotions, and improves professional and personal relationships. They highlight how...

Did you know the most common communication mistake in the workplace is not responding? It leads to disconnection, misunderstanding, and emotional distress. In Episode #35 of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and her daughter Polina explore how to uncover emotional triggers, repair relationships, and foster thriving teams. ➡️ The Top Communication Mistake: Not Responding (1:48 - 3:22) ➡...

In this episode, Jenna Wohlwend hosts an engaging conversation with Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Niamh Hannan, a Certified EmC Trainer, exploring the Emotional Connection (EmC) certification process—a proven framework for cultivating emotionally intelligent and connected workplace cultures. Niamh Hannan, a certified EmC trainer, shares her powerful experiences and insights on how EmC has transformed her...

In this episode, we address the growing importance of mental health at work, especially in the wake of rising post-pandemic stress. Join us as we explore three key areas where leaders can make a difference: The Rising Tide of Workplace Stress (3:05 – 5:42) Workplace stress is surging, with 41% of employees at peak levels. Relational conflicts compound stresses, making emotional well-being a top pr...

This episode is dedicated to professionals who strive to create secure relationships within their teams and with their patients.  With a very special guest, Mary Koloroutis, we talk about “ Fostering Healing Connections: Relationship-Based Care ® in Leadership. ”  Mary is the past CEO of Creative Health Care Management (CHCM), where she facilitated remarkable results, including improved patient en...

Every now and then, someone comes along who completely transforms the way we understand interactions, relationships, and the conflicts within them. Traditionally dominated by classical behavioral approaches and changing mindsets, Dr. Sue Johnson viewed relationships not as bargains but as bonds. Inspired by John Bowlby, the father of attachment theory, Sue blazed a trail that revolutionized the fi...

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast marks the third anniversary of the book Emotional Connection: The EmC Strategy . Co-authors Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Ramin Sedehi discuss the profound role emotional connection plays in effective leadership. Ramin reflects on his personal journey to becoming a visionary leader and his partnership with EmC, emphasizing that leadership is more about being in s...

In this insightful podcast episode, Jenna Wohlwend and Lola Gershfeld are joined by Haley Cooper, CEO of Savvy Fundraiser, to explore the unique challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.  Through engaging in conversation, they delve into the importance of emotional connection, effective communication, and conflict resolution within nonprofit teams.  Drawing from their experiences, they share va...

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast discusses the benefits of intensive team sessions to improve productivity and trust.  Dr. Gershfeld explains that when toxicity or finger-pointing occurs, addressing the underlying relationship disconnect is key to repairing those relationships and changing negative patterns that the company may be stuck in. In this episode, we talk about: [01:47] What are...

In this podcast episode 27, titled "Not Feeling Great at Work? Understanding Emotions and Relationships," Jenna and Dr. Lola explored the profound impact of emotions and relationships on individuals' well-being and productivity in the workplace. They discussed why some people may not feel great at work, touching on feelings of unappreciation, rejection, undervaluation, and being und...

In this episode of the "Leader in You" podcast, Jenna and Dr. Lola explore the impact of childhood behaviors in the workplace and challenge the notion that emotions should be suppressed professionally.  They discuss the importance of understanding and embracing emotions, shedding light on the negative effects of demeaning comments and the need for a balanced approach to emotional express...

During Episode 25 of the Leader in You Podcast, Jenna and Dr. Lola discuss the difficult yet relevant topic of trauma and how we process it in life and the workplace.  They talked in depth about how we navigate this territory both personally, biologically, and at work and what companies and leaders can do to support their teams going through it.  Whether it’s world news trauma or personal experien...

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast discusses success and failure in the workplace. Lola and Jenna talk about attachment theory and how having secure relationships with managers and coworkers allows employees to feel supported and thrive in their roles. On the other hand, insecure relationships can lead to feelings of failure or anger when disagreements and problems arise. Dr. Gershfeld expl...

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast discusses the importance of emotional connection in the workplace and coaching. Understanding the concepts of attachment and emotional connection can help you become a better coach or mentor. Lola and Gary explore these concepts and some specific techniques for repairing a damaged relationship. They also emphasize how focusing on emotional connection can i...