Welcome back to the Leadership Cafe podcast! In this episode, hosts Sally Mildren and Michael Mattson dive into the vital role emotional intelligence plays in humanizing business and transforming organizational culture. Michael Mattson shares how his journey began with eye-opening experiences in the postal service, where he learned firsthand the power of empathy and authentic human connection - sometimes sparked by something as simple as making sure employees had enough rubber bands for their daily work.

Together, Sally Mildren and Michael Mattson explore how leaders, especially those in middle management, set the tone for company culture and hold immense influence as translators and diplomats between organizational needs and employee well-being. They discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by supervisors and managers, the "middle ground" where small, meaningful adjustments can lead to big results. The conversation is rich with personal stories, research-backed insights, and practical ways that leaders at every level can foster trust, boost engagement, and drive business success by putting people first.

Grab your favorite mug and settle in - the Leadership Cafe is brewing up a fresh perspective on what it really means to lead with emotional intelligence.

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