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In this raw and revealing episode of Friday Feelings, host Jenelle Friday welcomes guest Rijuta Bhagwat, Customer Success leader and founder of CX Factor Advisory.  They explore the human side of collaboration from confronting deeply embedded biases to bridging cultural divides in the workplace, Jenelle and Rijuta dive deep into how Emotional Intelligence serves as the foundation for building truly inclusive and high-performing teams.

With stories ranging from childhood conditioning to workplace alienation, this episode uncovers the powerful role of self-awareness, curiosity, and intentional communication. You'll walk away with tactical tools like reframing emotional emails, using inclusive language like “help me understand,” and the surprising effectiveness of rotating leadership roles in meetings.

Whether you lead a team or you're just learning how to show up better for your peers, this episode reminds us: the key to psychological safety and productive collaboration lies in choosing to care.

Key Takeaways:

• How subconscious biases impact communication and inclusion
• Why curiosity and clarity are cornerstones of collaboration
• Tactical EQ tools for inclusive leadership and effective communication
• The emotional cost of toxic environments and how to shift the culture

Resources

• Connect with Rijuta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rijutabhagwat/
• Learn more: cxfactoradvisory.com

Referenced Material

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni (https://amzn.to/4mH4YAr)
• The anti-CEO playbook, TED talk by Hamdi Ulukaya (https://www.ted.com/talks/hamdi_ulukaya_the_anti_ceo_playbook?language=en)