42. Undercover EmC: Investigating Team Disconnection Artwork

The Leader in You

The Leader in You podcast is brought to you by EmC Leaders, helping companies to master the art of relationships so they can spend less time on people issues and more time accomplishing their most important goals.

We combine the science of attachment and emotional connection with insight from the last 20 years to overcome workplace conflict issues, build strong team relationships, and create a connected culture.

Your host, Dr. Lola Gershfeld.

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The Leader in You

42. Undercover EmC: Investigating Team Disconnection

May 07, 2025 • Connect your people; transform you culture. With Dr. Lola Gershfeld • Season 3 • Episode 42

In this high-energy, insight-packed episode of The Leader in You, Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld dive deep into how emotional disconnection acts like a virus in organizations—hijacking collaboration, clarity, and trust.

Discover how to diagnose, understand, and heal emotional safety issues using the TESSA assessment. From a playful pitch about “undercover EmC agents” to powerful analogies about health and team dynamics, this episode will change the way you see workplace conflict.

⏱️ Timestamps:

[00:29] Welcome & Polina’s “Undercover Boss” idea
[03:57] What is TESA and how it helps identify emotional safety gaps
[07:42] 💥 Mic drop moment: “Conflict is the inflammation. The virus is emotional disconnection.”
[11:12] How emotional disconnection hijacks the brain and team performance
[13:36] TESA = A brain scan for your team culture
[16:43] How to interpret your TESA report and spot team vs. manager discrepancies
[19:42] Why “undercover” evaluations break trust (and what to do instead)
[22:22] How secure attachment styles affect perceived emotional safety
[24:03] “We are fish—and relationships are our water.”
[27:33] Moldy strawberries, toxic cultures, and how emotions spread
[28:30] Final thoughts + see you at ATD!

The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where you can thrive.

Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.

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Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Connect with Polina Marian:

LinkedIn: Polina Marian
Instagram: @livewithfivekids

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team ...