Change by Design

Emotional Intelligence for Engineers and Why Resistance Equals Feedback


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Why do 42% of organizational change initiatives face extreme resistance? Often, it’s not the technology—it’s the human element.
 
In this episode, Chad Jackson sits down with Nikki Maginn, an engineer-turned-educator who teaches emotional intelligence (EQ) to technical professionals. Nikki shares her personal journey from receiving 199 job rejections after the Fukushima nuclear disaster to managing $25 million in projects by age 23—and how those experiences revealed that “soft skills” are actually the hardest part of engineering.
 
We explore why EQ is a force multiplier for career growth (adding ~$30k to earning potential), how to use the RULER method to regulate emotions in high-stress environments, and why resistance to change should be treated as valuable feedback rather than a barrier.
 
Key Topics:
  • The “Translator” Role: How EQ helps engineers bridge the gap between technical doers and business executives.
  • Resistance is Feedback: Why change agents should stop taking pushback personally and start using it to improve the process.
  • Generational Shifts: How Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping engineering culture by demanding purpose, mental health awareness, and the “why” behind the work.
  • Practical Tools: Implementing the RULER framework (Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, Regulate) in technical teams.
  • Guest:
Nikki Maginn is an emotional intelligence educator and consultant empowering the next generation of engineers. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
     
    About the Show:
Change by Design shines a light on engineering transformation, helping organizations navigate complexity and maximize value in their digital journeys.
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    Change by DesignBy Chad Jackson