Psychology at Work

13. Managing the Emotional Pressures of Leadership with Dina Denham Smith


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Are you tired of feeling emotionally drained at work? As a leader, you're not just managing your own feelings - you're absorbing your team's stress, navigating office politics, and trying to stay calm under constant pressure. It's exhausting, and sometimes it feels impossible to keep it all together.

In this eye-opening episode, executive coach and author, Dina Denham Smith reveals the hidden emotional demands that leaders face and shares practical strategies to handle them. Drawing from her work with senior leaders at companies like Adobe, Netflix, and PWC, Dina breaks down how to:

  • Recognize your emotional triggers before they derail you
  •  Stop absorbing everyone else's stress while still being supportive
  •  Handle the pressure of "urgent" demands without burning out
  •  Navigate difficult conversations with more confidence
  •  Protect your own wellbeing while supporting your team

About Dina: 

Dina Denham Smith is an executive coach to senior leaders at world-leading brands such as Adobe, Netflix, PwC, Gap, and more. A former business executive herself, she is the founder and CEO of Cognitas Coaching and helps leaders and their teams reach new heights of success. She is the author of Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work (Oxford University Press, 2025). Learn more at https://www.dinadsmith.com/ 

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Psychology at WorkBy Melody Wilding

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