Your organization may be missing out on the talent, innovation, and productivity of your workforce because of your own actions! I'm talking about accommodating disability. When we fail to invest in mindset and policy shifts, we fail to optimize the people within our organizations.

After experiencing complete memory loss due to a brain injury, my guest, Julie Harris, defied expectations as she found success in education and the corporate world. Today, we bond over our brain injury stories and discuss the definition of disability, how stigma impairs human performance, and how you may be hindering innovation and productivity. We also discuss why accommodation is not special treatment and why many fail to realize we all expect accommodations daily. Julie shares practical advice for what leaders can do to unleash the potential of disabled workers and achieve their business goals.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Not everybody’s disability looks the same or requires the same things, even if they are in the same category of disability.
• Disable and unable are not the same thing. The term disability is an accurate and correct description because it's something externally acting upon your body to make it not able.
• When the brain is under stress, we are only concerned with survival, which impairs your employee’s ability to do the work, impacting the bottom line.

"We accommodate people all the time at work and in everyday life, yet when it comes to disability, it had to be a legal right granted because those accommodations were so frequently denied. Just because one person needs a different thing doesn't mean it's preferential treatment. We're giving them exactly what they need to do their job." —  Julie Harris

References:

• The Empathy Edge podcasts:
• Michael Bach: What Exclusion is Costing Your Company
• Minette Norman: Psychological Safety
• Disclo: disclo.com

About Julie Harris, CEO/Founder, Access My Ability. Author of Boldly Belong:

After experiencing complete memory loss due to a brain injury, Julie quickly defied doctors’ expectations as she found success in secondary education and the corporate world. Drawing from personal study and formal education in neuroscience, process improvement, and disability inclusion, she consults with individuals and organizations around the globe. Despite having less than 16 years’ worth of memory and knowledge, Julie is now CEO and Founder of Access My Ability and author of Boldly Belong: The Power of Being You in a Disabling Society. Her expertise has been sought after by numerous Fortune 500 companies, where she has delivered compelling speeches and invaluable consultation on disability inclusion, workplace rights, and reasonable accommodation process improvement. Julie’s goal is to demonstrate that success can be achieved through unconventional paths that defy rules and expectations.

Connect with Julie:

Access My Ability: accessmyability.org

LinkedIn: Julie Harris

Book: Boldly Belong: The Power of Being You in a Disabling Society

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

BONUS EPISODE! Join me for a conversation with President and COO of SparkEffect, Kim Bohr as we kick off our partnership to provide you with actionable content for the next year on their podcast subseries, Courage to Advance. We talk about Kim's journey and work in helping leaders embrace change and marry data, technology, and human-centric practices to achieve success. You will love her insights on how to build resilience in today's rapidly changing landscape, and how integrating innovative technology, data-driven insights, and the human touch is the winning recipe for success in our times.

We kick off our partnership where SparkEffect will be offering you monthly insights, actionable takeaways, and inspiring stories of leadership transformation and the role empathy plays in success. 

Tune in every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge!

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• AI is not going away - the more we lean in and understand, the more we can leverage it for ourselves, our clients, and our organizations.
• Leveraging AI in your creative endeavors is great to bounce ideas off of, especially for those who work solo.
• All change involves bringing people along with you. The human need for information, reassurance, connection, and upskilling never disappears. Only the challenge in front of us changes.

"We believe that AI and data-driven insights are about augmenting and elevating that people-centered approach. And that's why we find the data, along with the very skill-based empathetic approach, is where the superpower is unleashed for leaders and organizations." —  Kim Bohr

About Kim Bohr, President & COO, SparkEffect

Kim is a published author, speaker, and entrepreneur at heart. As the President and COO of SparkEffect, she brings over 25 years of experience as a cross-functional leader, executive and board advisor, and leadership and organization development professional. 

Kim has spent her career avidly studying and participating in companies with complex people and organizational dynamics. Making an impact on businesses is important to Kim. She stays inspired by the gratification that comes from unraveling challenging problems for individuals and companies. Her strong, strategic instincts, extensive experience, and the ability to create followership have shaped Kim into the leader she is today.

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources: 

sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr 

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Halloween is just around the corner, and the ghouls, goblins, and…gladiators will be out in full force, along with spooky music, haunted houses, chills, and thrills. While humans have a weird desire to scare ourselves for our amusement, fear and horror in the workplace is far less desirable. And nothing can strike more fear into our hearts than scary bosses. 

But are those leaders scary...or scared? 

Today, I discuss how fear is detrimental for your team and how elevated perceived stress levels cause poor cognition. I also talk about why embracing empathy and building strong connections with your team while still maintaining high accountability and performance expectations will allow your team to rise to the challenge. Listen in for some scary statistics, but also the light around the dark corner that waits for those of us who are willing to take the next steps. 

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Studies show that perceived stress can cause lower cognitive scores and a faster rate of cognitive decline.
• Be vulnerable in your journey to be a more empathetic leader - while still expecting high performance and holding people accountable - people will rise to the challenge.
• Examine your own emotional triggers and backstory. Be willing to interrogate yourself with a curious mind. Scaring your people won’t help, so stop trying to do so and understand why you were trying to in the first place.

"Most scary or ineffective leaders have no self-awareness about how poorly they come across and how much psychological torture they influence. And that's because their negative behavior is almost always a result of their own fears." —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• CNN: Stress May Lead to Lower Cognitive Function, Study Finds
• More on Arno Michaelis
• Buy the book and download a free chapter sneak peek: http://www.TheEmpathyDilemma.com

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Enjoy this unique discussion with three brave women, two live under the shadow of fear for themself and their child, and one is a cisgender ally: Kate Brookes, Jayna Sheats, & Jeannie Gainsburg. We talk about their own stories that led them to this work, how the increase in anti-trans legislation impacts them, what it's like to parent a trans teen, and their most poignant moments along the way. We also share simple yet impactful tips on how to be an ally.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Accepting and loving your child no matter how they present is support and protection for your child.
• Fiction is an amazing tool for empathy. It allows you to explore with your imagination experiences outside of your own.
• As allies, we need to step up, use the right language, and let people know that they are safe.
• Everyone is watching the world for signals to understand they are safe.

"Dignity is at stake. LGBTQ rights are at stake. Right now, while my daughter has access to these things, a vote could take some of these necessities. They're not privileges, they're necessities" —  Kate Brookes

References:

• Hanna's Ascent by Jayna Sheats
• Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World by Kate Brookes
• The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGPTQ+ Advocate by Jeannie Gainsburg
• 2016 Study on Mental Health of Transgender Children Who are Supported in their Identities
• GFP: Gender and Family Project
• Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
• Cori Lovejoy: A Trans Woman’s Journey Transforming Self and Organizational Culture
• Jeannie Gainsburg: How to Be a Savvy LGBTQ+ Ally

Kate Brookes: Producer, Filmmaker, Writer. Kate Brookes is an award-winning TV reporter turned producer, filmmaker, and writer. An activist since her teens, Kate has devoted countless hours to the causes she supports, including mental health, housing justice, and anti-gun legislation. But it wasn’t until realizing she’d completely botched the birth announcement for her twins that she became active in LGBTQ causes. The author of Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World, Kate lives with her husband and rock star children, one of whom happens to be trans, in New York City.

Jeannie Gainsburg, Founder, Savvy Ally Action:  Jeannie is an educational trainer and consultant in LGBTQ+ inclusion and effective allyship, and author of, The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate. She is the founder of Savvy Ally Action, which offers accessible and encouraging workshops and videos on how to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ communities. 

Jayna Sheats, Author: Jayna grew up on an isolated Colorado ranch in the 1950s, where the word “transgender” had never once been heard. Returning to CO after studying language and psychology in Germany, she majored in physical science and settled in Silicon Valley with a PhD in chemistry. Jayna is the author of, Hanna's Ascent. She spends her time writing novels about triumph over trauma and social justice, and a non-fiction book on transgender women in athletics.

Connect with Our Guests:

Kate Brookes: transistermom.com

Jeannie Gainsburg: savvyallyaction.com

Jayna Sheats: jaynasheats.com

X: @transistermom

LinkedIn: Jeannie Gainsburg

Facebook: Jayna Sheats, Author

Connect with Maria:

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Happiness seems as elusive and subjective at work as empathy. But there is a link between the two, and we're going to get into that today! My guest is Dr. Tracy Brower, a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. 

Today we discuss what happiness at work means, how happiness is linked to empathy, and the research around what happy workplaces experience in terms of engagement, retention, and performance. Tracy shatters the myths of happiness as a constant state. While we can't "make people happy" we can create the conditions for happiness. She shares the five measurable conditions for happiness and we discuss the Paradox of Happiness, the benefits of post-traumatic growth, the current loneliness epidemic and the role workplace cultures can play, and the two important components of what it means to thrive. Tracy offers ways you can create connections as a leader - and you'll love the conversation near the end about how leaders don't have to take on all the responsibility for this in their culture by themselves!

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Tracy’s Big Five conditions for happiness are: Having a sense of purpose, Connection with other people, Opportunity for learning, growth and challenge, Performing really well, and Gratitude.
• Sometimes you will have to do work you don’t want to do. Your work won’t always be fulfilling. But that doesn’t mean your career or workplace cannot be nurturing, engaging, and fulfilling despite that work.
• Thriving always includes an element of striving. There are positive challenges, and positive growth that come out of difficult situations.

"It's actually counterproductive to measure happiness by itself, and the more we think about happiness as its own end, the less likely we are to accomplish it, statistically." —  Dr. Tracy Brower

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge episodes
• Logan Mallory: How a Culture of Gratitude Boosts Engagement and Mental Health
• Jamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for Yourself
• Shasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work Friendships

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge 

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse 

About Dr. Tracy Brower, VP Workplace Insights, Steelcase

Dr. Tracy Brower is a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life. She is the vice president of workplace insights with Steelcase and a senior contributor to Forbes and Fast Company. Her work has been translated into 22 languages, and you can find her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or at tracybrower.com

Connect with Tracy Brower:

Steelcase: www.Steelcase.com 

Website: https://tracybrower.com/ 

X: https://twitter.com/TracyBrower108 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybrowerphd/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlb108/ 

Book: The Secrets To Happiness at Work 

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Welcome to another special episode brought to you by the great folks at Businessolver! Their annual State of Workplace Empathy Report has been my go-to for years in finding out exactly how everyone from CEOs to employees thinks and feels about empathy in the workplace. The 2024 report offers so much valuable information to help all of us navigate the new world of work.

In today's episode, Part 2, A Gameplan for Putting Empathy into Action, Rae Shanahan and I focus on why empathy is hard to achieve when everyone thinks it's a good idea. We give examples of empathetic leadership - and behaviors that are the opposite of empathy. We dive into a study theme of accountability and the false belief that empathy and accountability are opposites. Rae shares what empathetic culture does for your organization, and gives examples of what employees deem to be empathetic company benefits. Finally, we revisit the three pillars Businesssolver discovered in their research and how to take action on each one.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Everything starts with awareness. We have a chance to impact the culture by focusing on the leaders.
• Understanding doesn’t mean endorsement. Empathy doesn't mean you agree or condone behavior or the decision. It means you are there for someone and factor in their point of view.
• It takes time to build up trust, especially in an environment where it hasn't been there before.

"We are not a one-size-fits-all organization. Employees have different needs and different definitions of benefits depending on where they are in their life cycle." —  Rae Shanahan

Episode References:

• Empathy Authenticity Checklist
• The Empathy Dilemma
• Brené Brown Short on Empathy
• QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller
• Jelly Roll - I Am Not Okay

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse

About Rae Shanahan, Chief Strategy Officer, Businessolver

Rae Shanahan is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Known for her strong business development skills in coaching, sales, team building, and healthcare information technology and management, Rae brings a unique blend of strategic insight and empathetic leadership to the table. Her empathetic approach has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of Businessolver from 12 employees to over 1,700. Rae understands the importance of empathy in fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment, ensuring culture is always first. This perspective has guided her efforts as the current Chief Strategy Officer at Businessolver and her previous role as CEO of Innovation Works, where she supported the incubation of new business strategies and opportunities. Her initiatives, including the launch of Businessolver's Artificial Intelligence Engine, MyChoice Accounts and the Benefits Innovation Group, are all centered on delivering delight to clients and their employees, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard.

Connect with Businessolver & Rae Shanahan:

Website: businessolver.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raeshanahan

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/company/businessolver

X:  @Businessolver

Instagram:  @Businessolver

Facebook:  facebook.com/bsolver

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Hispanic. Women. Gay. Transgender. Neurodiverse. Black. All of these identities make up the rich mosaic of our workplaces. We know the data shows that diverse experiences drive better business decisions to identify unseen risks or opportunities, but have you considered this next group we talk about today - First Generation Professionals? This is a group that studies show exhibits a strong percentage of loyalty, motivation, and desire to pursue management positions. They should definitely be considered when looking at your talent pipeline.

My guest today is Michelle Hoover. We talk about who FGPs are and why investing in them is a win for your company. Michelle shares a little about what makes them tick (especially given her own identity as an FGP) and why understanding this will help you practice empathy if you misunderstand certain behaviors. We discuss the difference between experience and identity, what holds FGPs back, how to practice conscious curiosity, and, specifically, what you can do to harness their potential to help your organization succeed. You will leave appreciating the power of acknowledging diverse groups in your organization through mentoring and ERGs, instead of seeing such diversity as a burden.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Confronting your fears is a great way to grow, evolve, transform, and gain confidence.
• Especially with first-generation professionals, their background, family, and upbringing influence them in the business world. That's something important we need to recognize in terms of being empathetic in the workplace.
• 81% of first-generation college students cite financial stability as their reason for pursuing a college degree. They are motivated to achieve some level of financial success and stability.
• Many FGPs don’t know how to play the corporate games for promotion, they were never taught. Without empathy to see their side, leaders may see it as a lack of drive, proactivity, and initiative when that is far from the truth. 

"This is your leadership pipeline, and this helps with more early career retention strategies." —  Michelle Hoover

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge 

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse 

About Michelle Hoover, Principal, Baem Leadership

Michelle Hoover is a leadership development strategist, advisor, and executive coach. A trusted thought partner to CEOs and business leaders, she has designed, delivered, and facilitated talent-development programs for more than 15,000 learners across five continents in her 19 years in leadership development. 

Michelle is the founder of Baem Leadership, a strategic consultancy that advises global corporations, mid-stage startups, and purpose-driven organizations on empowering and emboldening their leaders — especially First-Generation Professionals — to lead themselves and their teams more effectively.

Connect with Michelle Hoover:  

Baem Leadership: https://www.baemleadership.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myhoover/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baemleadership/ 

Newsletter: https://baemleadership.substack.com/ 

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

“For all the bold leaders embracing a more human-centered approach and performing at the highest levels, your choices impact and influence your colleagues, families, and communities, that's a win for us all.” This is just a small snippet from the dedication of The Empathy Dilemma which is out today! I am so excited to share this book with all of you who have been with me as listeners to this podcast and during this journey. Listen in to find out how you can get your hands on the book, whether one copy or hundreds of copies, and to find out more about how we can all get this book into the hands of a wider audience and spread the hopeful message of empathy to leaders everywhere. I hope you enjoy the book. I hope it is valuable for you and your team. I hope you implement some of the tactics and let me know how it goes! I’d love to hear from you.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Once you embrace empathy and see another person's point of view, you can't unsee it.
• If your favorite bookstore does not have The Empathy Dilemma, you can ask them to order it! It is widely available now everywhere books are sold. 
•  To spark a movement of empathy in the workplace and a new paradigm for culture and work, please rate and review the book on Amazon and give an honest review, whether you thought it was just okay or you thought it was amazing - it will help spread the empathy movement further.

"This book is for those leaders who want to embrace the new paradigm of leadership, but are struggling a little bit. I wanted to provide you some context, but also actionable strategies and tactics to shore up your foundation so that you can be empathetic with your teams while still expecting high performance, accountability, and results." —  Maria Ross

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge 

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse 

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Today, I have a wonderful conversation with Dr. Yosi Amram, author of Spiritually Intelligent Leaders: How to Inspire by Being Inspired. We talk about what spiritual intelligence is and how it compares to emotional intelligence, how it is not limited to a religious doctrine or even a spiritual belief in God, and how it contributes to effective leadership and high-performing teams. We talk about why command and control leadership can work in battle but not so well elsewhere, the first step to develop and deepen your spiritual intelligence, and its role in an AI-powered world. You will love the insights shared and may look at your own leadership style in a whole new way.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• While emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence are complementary, they are two distinct things.
• Spiritual intelligence transcends specific religions, spiritual experiences, and spiritual beliefs.
• Empathy is crucial to build teams no matter the type of leader you are. In battle, you need a certain level of command and control, but when you’re not in battle you need that empathy and connection.
• Our bodies are energy. Because of that, we are connected to the sun. We are connected to life. We are connected to everything.

"Spiritual intelligence becomes more important for us as humans, as more and more of the things about our life and jobs could be mechanized or taken over by AI." —  Dr. Yosi Amram

Episode References:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

How Leaders Inspire: Cracking the Code by Bain & Company: bain.com/insights/how-leaders-inspire-cracking-the-code

The Empathy Edge episodes:

Amer Kaissi: Humbitious Leadership Equals Success

Susan Hunt Stevens: The ROI of Psychological Safety

Michelle Sherman: Why The Most Successful Leaders Combine Resilience With Imagination

Dr. Michelle Zhou: Empathic AI is Real and It’s Here - But We Need Everyone Involved!

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: businessolver.com/edge

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: businessolver.com/benefits-pulse

About Yosi Amram, Author, Psychologist, CEO Coach

Yosi Amram, Ph.D., is a distinguished psychologist, an executive coach catering to CEOs, entrepreneurs, and other influential leaders, and a pioneer researcher in the field of spiritual intelligence. Holding an MBA from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Sofia University in Clinical Transpersonal Psychology, Dr. Amram is committed to enabling individuals to unlock their potential through spiritual intelligence, which is a profound connection to the core of one’s existence that enriches their overall functioning, improves their effectiveness, and enhances their wellbeing.

Dr. Amram is the author of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired, which offers a compelling roadmap that equips leaders with the means to connect with the true source of their authentic power and presence deep within themselves. By utilizing Dr. Amram’s modern integrative methods and practical applications, readers will transform their leadership, and build, manage, and inspire high-performing teams.

Connect with Yosi Amram:

Website: YosiAmram.net

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yosiamram

Facebook: facebook.com/yosi.amram.7

Book: Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired

amazon.com/Spiritually-Intelligent-Leadership-Inspire-Inspired/dp/1960583697

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: red-slice.com

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sign up for Optionality now! Go to opt

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

What makes an excellent leader? Today my guest shares why he believes that leaders who develop their empathy and emotional intelligence are not just better leaders – they become excellent leaders. An excellent leader looks after their own wellbeing by looking after the wellbeing of the people they lead. Markus van Alphen is a leadership psychologist, author, teacher, trainer, organizational consultant, counselor and restorative practitioner. 

Today, Markus and I talk about what a leadership psychologist does, what is observational listening, and how it enables leaders to be more empathetic to create psychological safety, reduce burnout, and increase engagement. He shares what makes an excellent leader - and how they never need to motivate anyone! We chat about why leadership is not viewed as a standalone skill, the link between leadership excellence and corporate social responsibility, the impact of toxic leadership on your bottom line, and how to really change a culture by starting with yourself as a role model.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Your shareholders are stakeholders, but they are only one of the stakeholders. Make sure you consider all of your stakeholders in your leadership practices. 
• People often struggle in conversations because they’re too often in their heads and trying to plan the conversation within themselves, not participate in the conversation. 
• As the leader, you do not always have to have (or give) the answer to every question. Encourage collaboration in your team by demonstrating that with them. This will help to empower them and help your team learn the skills to solve the next challenges going forward.

"People are always motivated. I don't even believe that you, as a leader, need to motivate your people. I believe it's about finding out what motivates them." —  Markus van Alphen

Episode References: 

• Markus' free course form The Excellent Leadership series: https://excellent-leader.com/start-the-free-course-straightaway/
• The Empathy Edge: Colin Hunter: Disruptive Leadership and Being More Wrong: https://red-slice.com/the-empathy-edge/colin-hunter-disruptive-leadership-and-being-more-wrong/ 

From Our Partner (keep through 1/31/25):

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge 

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse 

About Markus van Alphen, Director, Excellent Leader

Markus is a leadership psychologist, author, teacher, trainer, organizational consultant, counselor and restorative practitioner. He is an authority on empathy, emotional intelligence, and well-being. Markus has a master's degree in Psychology from the University of Amsterdam and a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Cape Town. As a thought leader, he introduces the term Observational Listening, a theme he has written several books about, including The Excellent Leader and The More Excellent Leader.

Connect with Markus van Alphen:

Bureau the Excellent Organisation: https://Excellent-Leader.com 

X: https://twitter.com/MarkusvanAlphen 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusvanalphen/ 

Join the community and discover what empathy can do for you: http://red-slice.com

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