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

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

Episode Summary

Can we be better managers of people? Be more emotionally intelligent? And why do we choose to manage people, are we even in it for the right reasons? Why do 42% of people leave meetings having said nothing? Why do we find it hard to get in touch with our emotions at work, and could being more future oriented help us perform better? These are all questions explored with leadership coach Catherine de la Poer in our latest podcast episode. In a very candid interview Catherine reflects on being thrust into a management position at the age of 22, and by her own admission was someone who 'didn't really like people at that time'. For any self-respecting leader or HR / Comms professional operating in the new world of hybrid working - our conversation is well worth a listen - if you even a passing interest in self-development, self-awareness or emotional intelligence. 'To stay alive and vibrant you periodically need to refresh or re-invent yourself' - Mireilla Guiliano

Episode Notes

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• Thoughts, beliefs and limiting assumptions (about yourself) that are outdated - exposing thoughts and emotions...and challenging yourself.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.