Cohort 11 for The Thread is open now! To apply, visit www.thethreadwichita.com/apply

What if the one skill you’ve overlooked is actually the key to unlocking your greatest impact? Emotional intelligence isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the foundation for authentic leadership, meaningful relationships, and personal growth. Today, I’m joined by Nikki Beyrle, a powerhouse HR executive and educator, to explore how understanding and building your EQ can transform your career, your connections, and your confidence. We share real stories, practical tools, and the mindset shifts that make emotional intelligence a true power skill.

Highlights

• The moment I realized emotional intelligence was a skill I could build—and why it changed everything
• Nikki’s journey from Pizza Hut to Chief HR Officer, and how people skills shaped her career
• The four quadrants of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management
• Practical exercises for increasing self-awareness (including the “two sides of the coin” method)
• How to respond instead of react in high-stress situations
• The power of apology and repair in relationships
• Social awareness: reading the room and raising adaptable, curious kids
• Building trust and navigating conflict as a leader
• Daily practices to strengthen your EQ

Chapters

00:13 – Discovering Emotional Intelligence

01:30 – Meet Nikki Beyrle

02:53 – The Journey of The Thread

04:41 – Understanding Emotional Intelligence

12:36 – Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence

19:09 – Building Whole-Brain Teams

19:43 – Self-Management: Responding vs. Reacting

23:00 – The Power of Apology and Repair

26:52 – Social Awareness: Reading the Room

31:35 – Relationship Management: Building Trust and Navigating Conflict

34:27 – Daily EQ Practices & Closing

Resources Mentioned

• TalentSmart’s Emotional Intelligence Assessment
• Kansas Leadership Center
• Connect with Nikki Beyrle on LinkedIn

Want to learn more?

The Thread

Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn

This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.

Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.