The Difficulty: Creativity, Meaning & the Hard Work of a Life

Join us in this episode of Leading Human as we delve into the importance of team norms, emotional intelligence, and collaborative culture with Vanessa Drucker, author of 'The Emotionally Intelligent Team.' Discover how the right practices can transform team dynamics, optimize interactions, and enhance performance. Vanessa shares insightful stories and practical steps on building psychologically safe and emotionally intelligent teams. Make sure to watch this episode to learn the secrets of high-performing teams and how to implement them in your organization.

00:00 Introduction to Emma AI and Today's Guest

00:36 The Power of Team-Based Tools

01:43 Introducing Vanessa Druskat and Her Work

09:46 Vanessa Joins the Conversation

09:57 The Importance of Emotional Norms in Teams

10:24 Real-World Example: Engineers' Transformation

16:09 Building Psychological Safety in Teams

17:20 The Role of Leaders in Team Culture

18:49 Implementing Team Norms and Accountability

23:42 Measuring and Changing Team Culture

25:43 Team Building Exercises: Getting to Know Each Other

26:46 Establishing Team Norms

28:06 The Role of the Leader in Team Culture

30:16 Dealing with Difficult Personalities

32:48 The Importance of Belonging in Teams

40:28 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights on Team Dynamics

44:34 Conclusion and Resources

Where to find Vanessa Druskat's groundbreaking book.

Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Pankaj Singh is a leadership strategist and founder of Singh Leadership, where he helps high-achieving professionals transform burnout into clarity and purpose using neuroscience-informed frameworks like the Purpose Factor

If Leading Human is where emotional intelligence meets organizational impact, then Pankaj Singh is your kind of guest. A former C-suite leader who began his journey training under a lama, Pankaj now empowers leaders to transform reactive pressures into purpose-driven presence.

In this episode of 'Leading Human', Chad welcomes Pankaj Singh, a leadership strategist and founder of Singh Leadership, to discuss turning stress into strategic clarity, the role of purpose in leadership, and how mindfulness can unlock better decision-making. Pankaj shares his journey from a stressful professional experience to developing neuroscience-informed frameworks like the Purpose Factor and the Inner Compass Journey. The conversation covers how leaders can reframe chronic stress, the importance of being present, and specific practices such as micro journaling and mindfulness exercises. Pankaj also discusses the PROGRESS and PIVOT frameworks, and the significant impacts of aligning personal purpose with organizational goals on productivity and employee retention.

01:09 Pankaj Singh's Stressful Turning Point

02:49 Understanding Chronic Stress and the Brain

04:50 Mindful Micro Practices

08:07 The Purpose Factor Framework

10:12 Micro Journaling and Reflection

15:01 The PIVOT Framework for Mindfulness

17:37 Impact of Mindfulness on Productivity

20:36 Understanding Your Audience

21:07 Organizing Your Life: Emotional and Relational Aspects

21:26 The Importance of Relationships

22:32 Aligning with Your Purpose

23:01 The Role of Fulfillment in Coaching

23:11 The 14-Week Journey

23:34 Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation

25:21 Balancing Technology and Humanity

26:58 Augmented Intelligence and AI Tools

27:15 Conscious Data Framework

29:43 Micro-Journaling and Presence

33:23 Final Thoughts and Resources

Connect with Pankaj

Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' host Chad Prevost sits down with Dr. Eva Selhub, a Harvard-trained physician and bestselling author, to explore the intersection of cutting-edge neuroscience and ancient wisdom.

Dr. Selhub shares her journey from conventional medicine to studying resilience and the mind-body connection after a life-changing experience. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, stress management, and creating healthy habits for leaders. Dr. Selhub outlines six pillars of resilience and provides practical tips on how to translate scientific understanding into everyday practices that enhance performance and well-being.

The conversation also delves into the significance of intuition in leadership and how to balance it with data-driven decision-making. Dr. Selhub emphasizes the necessity of self-awareness, compassion, and how to recognize and manage fear-driven behaviors. Listeners will gain valuable insights on how to lead with empathy, adapt to stress effectively, and create a thriving work culture.

01:23 A Life-Changing Experience

02:06 Exploring Mind-Body Medicine

03:40 Transition to Leadership and Coaching

04:47 Understanding Emotional Intelligence

12:18 The Science of Stress and Resilience

16:55 Practical Habits for Leaders

17:58 Understanding Stress and the Brain

18:32 Managing Stress with Self-Compassion and Mindfulness

18:44 Activating the Vagal System

19:19 The Role of Neuroplasticity in Stress Management

19:40 Practical Techniques for Stress Reduction

22:04 The Importance of Intuition in Leadership

23:01 Balancing Intuition with Data

24:26 Recognizing Fear-Driven Behavior

24:46 The Power of Self-Awareness in Leadership

27:32 Rapid Fire Wrap-Up

33:38 Morning Luxuriating and Final Thoughts

Find her at her website here

More about Dr. Selhub's course here.

Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad interviews Radhika Dutt, author of 'Radical Product Thinking' and the forthcoming book 'Escaping the Performance Trap.' Dutt challenges the conventional wisdom of goal-setting in performance management, arguing that tools like OKRs and KPIs often backfire.

Instead, she introduces an alternative framework focused on detailed vision statements, puzzle setting, and puzzle solving, which encourages continuous learning and adaptation. The conversation explores the history of goal-setting, its limitations in complex environments, and practical steps for implementing Dutt's approach.

Author of Radical Product Thinking, a speaker and entrepreneur, Radhika Dutt has participated in 5 acquisitions, 2 of which were companies she founded. She's an advisor on Product Thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore. She's also an MIT grad with SB and M.Eng in EECS, and speaks nine languages.

01:12 Challenging Traditional Management

03:38 The History and Problems with Goal Setting

07:25 Alternative Approaches to Alignment

14:56 Implementing Puzzle Setting and Solving

20:30 Overcoming Resistance to Change

26:23 Lightning Round and Conclusion

Radhika's LinkedIn profileRadhika’s WebsiteRadical Product Thinking (website for the methodology and Radhika’s first book)Speaker reelLinks to the OHL framework/ toolkitWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad converses with Jen Mueller, a seasoned sports broadcaster, leadership coach, and host of Talk Sporty to Me.

Jen shares her unique experiences of interviewing athletes while cooking, and how these interactions reveal vulnerability and human connection. The discussion delves into critical leadership communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of timely, clear, and meaningful feedback.

Jen draws parallels between leadership in sports and business, highlighting the role of clear objectives and the nuances of giving accurate praise and constructive feedback. She also provides actionable advice on preparing for and handling challenging conversations, the significance of learning from setbacks, and fostering a resilient team culture.

Jen Mueller is a business communication expert and the founder of Talk Sporty to Me, where she helps companies level up their communication skills with actionable strategies inspired by her 25-year career as a sports broadcaster.

An Emmy-award-winning producer, Jen is in her 16th season as the Seattle Seahawks sideline radio reporter and has spent 18 years with the Seattle Mariners on ROOT SPORTS. She’s known for building strong relationships, delivering meaningful content in short bursts, and expertly handling post-game interviews (while dodging Gatorade baths!).

01:11 The Power of Vulnerability in Cooking Interviews

01:57 Leadership Communication: A Daily Discipline

03:30 The Importance of Clear Objectives in High-Stress Situations

05:26 The Dangers of False Praise and Generic Feedback

09:08 Setting Clear Expectations and Accountability

16:00 Handling Difficult Conversations with Empathy

18:54 Learning from Setbacks and Building Resilience

21:51 Common Pitfalls in Leadership Feedback

24:40 Lightning Round: Quick Insights with Jen Mueller

Check out Jen's impactful and entertaining work here:

https://www.youtube.com/@TalkSportyToMe

https://www.instagram.com/TalkSportytoMe/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/

Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' host Chad Prevost welcomes Scott Allen, a seasoned leadership development strategist, certified emotional intelligence coach, and Enneagram teacher. Scott delves into his book, 'The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence,' which correlates the nine Enneagram types to core EQ skills, offering a pathway to radical self-awareness. The conversation explores Scott's insights on how integrating the Enneagram with emotional intelligence can lead to profound personal and professional growth, highlighting the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Chad and Scott also share personal anecdotes and practical advice for embracing emotional awareness to enhance decision-making, relationships, and stress management.

00:00 Introduction to Scott Allender

00:06 Scott Allen's Background and Achievements

01:41 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

05:00 Scott's Journey with Emotional Intelligence and the Enneagram

06:28 Understanding Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence

07:51 Personal Insights and Enneagram Types

13:17 Integrating Emotions, Body, and Mind

16:25 Coaching Leaders on Emotional Intelligence

21:04 Exploring EQ Buckets and Self-Perception

23:45 Emotional Repression and Anger

25:36 Discovering the Enneagram

26:11 Understanding Envy and Healing

27:05 The Complexity of Type Four

29:45 Practical Applications of the Enneagram

31:48 Challenges and Benefits of Enneagram Awareness

33:46 Path to Genuine Transformation

40:52 Integrating Head, Heart, and Body

43:35 Final Thoughts and Resources

Check out Scott's book, Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence here. And his Enneaflip, a quick resource for understanding type to type communication.Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In this episode of Leading Human, Chad sits down with EQ-research pioneer Joshua Freedman.

Who’s our guest?

• Joshua Freedman — co-founder & CEO of Six Seconds, the world’s largest emotional-intelligence network.

Why listen?

• Led EQ programs in 50+ countries and helped seed regional teams now serving 7 million+ learners.
• Author of 5 books and creator of 6 validated EQ assessments that turn “soft skills” into hard data.
• Partnered with brands like FedEx, U.S. Navy, HSBC, Intel, Amazon, and the UN to produce measurable gains in the people-side of performance.
• Co-architect of the POP-UP Festival with UNICEF World Children’s Day—free EQ activities for kids worldwide.

Origin story highlights

• First discovered EQ as a teacher/administrator at Nueva School (later profiled by Daniel Goleman).
• Serial entrepreneur—once a licensed building contractor—and former theater stage manager/tech director.

Big idea

• Emotions are data, not baggage. When people realize they have agency over that data, freedom, authenticity, and purpose ignite.
• Expected takeaways

1. A simple framework to measure and grow EQ.
2. How compassionate wisdom boosts both well-being and bottom-line results.
3. Practical tips for weaving EQ into teams, kids’ programs, and your own daily choices.

🎧 Tune in to learn how mastering emotions can transform performance—and why, for Joshua, inspiring “compassionate wisdom” is more than a mission statement; it’s a measurable practice.

Check out Joshua Freedman's 6 Seconds organization here.Here's his 2011 classic: The Heart of LeadershipAnd his 2010 on organizational change with EQ: Inside Change: Transforming Your Organization with Emotional IntelligenceWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In the final episode of the Leading Human series about Enneagram type communication dynamics in the workplace, we explore the interactions between Types 8 and 9. The episode delves into the synergies of these neighboring body types, highlighting how their partnership can merge strength with diplomacy and balance leadership with harmony. It also discusses potential conflicts arising from their differing paces and decision-making styles, offering practical strategies for nines to voice their needs and for eights to practice patience. The episode aims to enhance emotional intelligence, promote psychological safety, and provide actionable insights for effective communication and teamwork.

00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

03:15 Understanding Type 8 and Type 9 Dynamics

03:37 Synergies Between Type 8 and Type 9

07:03 Potential Conflicts and Resolutions

10:35 Effective Communication Strategies

16:10 Balanced Leadership and Conclusion

Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In this episode of Leading Human, we conclude our series on Enneagram type-to-type communication dynamics in the workplace by focusing on the interaction between Type Seven and Type Nine. We explore how these types can create a harmonious working relationship, highlighting their strengths and synergies as well as the challenges they might face. Practical communication tips are offered to help tailor strategies to building trust, achieving higher emotional intelligence, and ensuring psychological safety. Specific advice includes setting clear deadlines, involving both types in decision-making, proactive communication, and leveraging each other's strengths for optimal team performance. The episode emphasizes the importance of trust and provides insights into handling potential conflicts for a productive and pleasant workplace.

00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Type Communication

03:08 Understanding Type Seven and Type Nine Dynamics

03:15 Strengths and Synergies of Type Seven and Type Nine

06:29 Challenges in Type Seven and Type Nine Interactions

10:25 Strategies for Effective Communication

14:42 Conclusion and Further Resources

Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' the focus is on understanding the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 7 and Type 8 in the workplace. Broadcasting from Common House in downtown Chattanooga, the episode explores the high-octane interaction between these energetic types. It covers their strengths, such as Type 8's assertiveness blending with Type 7's creativity, and synergies like their shared love of independence. The episode also delves into potential conflicts, addressing issues like control versus freedom and different emotional responses. Practical tips are offered on managing these dynamics effectively, emphasizing the importance of open, respectful communication and leveraging each type's unique strengths. The discussion aims to help listeners improve team collaboration, conflict resolution, and leadership aligned with emotional intelligence and psychological safety.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

02:08 Understanding Enneagram Types

04:02 Type 7 and Type 8 Dynamics

05:24 Synergies and Strengths

07:28 Potential Conflicts and Challenges

11:48 Strategies for Effective Communication

14:19 Conclusion and Resources

Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you’re building trust or leveling up team accountability, we’ve got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com