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 hosts, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian.
Episodes
104 episodes
104. The Secure Leader Goes First: Dr. Jaime Goff on Vulnerability, Trust & Attachment at Work
What does it really mean to be a secure leader—and why does emotional connection matter so much when the pressure is on?In Episode 104 of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina welcome back Dr. Jaime Goff, autho...
103. Why Conflict Isn’t Really About the Content: 5 Years of Emotional Connection
Five years after the original release of Emotional Connection, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and co-author Ramin Sedehi reunite to reflect on what they have learned about emotions, trust, leadership, and relationships—and celebrate the launch of ...
Ep. 102 – Silence Isn’t Peace: What It Means When Teams Stop Talking
When someone on your team suddenly stops speaking up, stops pushing back, or simply nods along, it can be easy to assume everything is fine.But silence doesn’t always mean peace.Sometimes, silence is a sign of hurt, disconnection,...
101. When Trauma Hits the Workplace: Helping Teams Heal and Move Forward
When trauma enters the workplace, leaders often focus on getting everyone "back to work." But what if the fastest path forward is helping people feel emotionally safe first?In this episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Ger...
100. Stay Curious, Not Critical: How Curiosity Transforms Conflict into Connection
When conflict arises, our first instinct is often to become critical—of others, of ourselves, or of the situation. But what if the most powerful response isn't criticism at all? What if it's curiosity?In this milestone 100th episode of <...
99. Organized Chaos: Turning Chaotic Emotions into Organized Conversations
Have you ever walked away from a difficult conversation thinking, "I don't even know what happened—I just know it didn't go well"?When emotions become overwhelming, our thoughts race, our reactions become automatic, and meaningf...
98. Aggression on the Court: Caitlin Clark vs. Stephanie White
When a highly publicized interaction between Caitlin Clark and her coach, Stephanie White, captured national attention, many people focused on the visible behavior. We saw frustration, conflict, and what appeared to be defiance.But what ...
97. Developing Relentless Empathy to Navigate Team Challenges
What if the greatest skill for navigating team conflict isn't better communication—it's relentless empathy?In this episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina explore why empathy is one of the most important skills leaders, managers, H...
96. The Top Onboarding Training Gap: Teaching New Hires How to Navigate Team Conflict
Most onboarding programs teach new employees how to do the job. Few teach them how to navigate the relationships.In this episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola and Polina discuss one of the most overlooked gaps in employee onboar...
95. Why You Hate Making Decisions at Work - The VERSE Model
At the ATD Conference, we noticed a common theme: many leaders and learning professionals were excited about innovation and AI, yet hesitant when it came to navigating emotions, vulnerability, and human connection in the workplace. That tension...
94. AI Was Everywhere at ATD… But This Is What Stood Out
After returning from the ATD Conference, one thing kept staying with us.Yes, AI was everywhere. It was in sessions, at booths, and woven into conversations about the future of work. But what stood out most wasn't technology at all.
93. Live from ATD: Thriving Talent in the Age of AI with Aoife O'Brien
In this special live episode from the ATD Conference in Los Angeles, Dr. Lola Gershfeld welcomes returning guest Aoife O'Brien, author of Thriving Talent and host of the Happier at Work Podcast, for a thought-provoking convers...
92. Live from ATD: Disengaged Teams Don’t Happen by Accident
What really causes disengagement at work? Is it a lack of motivation, poor communication, or something deeper?Broadcasting live from the ATD Conference in Los Angeles, Dr. Lola Gershfeld, Polina Marian, and Niamh Hannan explore the hidde...
91. Why Workplace Conflict Feels So Personal: The Attachment Patterns Behind Leadership & Team Dynamics
In this deeply personal and insightful episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian explore why workplace relationships can feel so emotionally intense—and why conflict at work often has roots far deeper t...
90. Beyond Culture: Why Human Connection Works Everywhere
What if the biggest challenge in your workplace isn’t culture… but disconnection?In this episode, we explore a powerful insight from the recent SIOP Conference: No matter where people come from—different countries, languages, or...
89. Why You React the Way You Do at Work - Now vs. Later with Karen Thrall
What really happens in those moments when emotions take over at work?In this episode of The Leader in You, we sit down with Karen Thrall, author of Don’t Lose Your Sh*t at Work, to explore the powerful patterns behind how we rea...
88. From Space to the Heart: Why Connection Is What Brings Us Together
What happens when you travel a million miles away from Earth… and discover what truly matters most?In this deeply moving episode, we reflect on the emotional return of the Artemis II astronauts—and what their experience reveals about the...
87. Your Future Self Will Thank You - If You Master This First
What if the most important leadership skill isn’t how you manage others—but how you manage yourself?In this episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Niamh Hannan explore how the Emotional Connection (EmC) process can be used for self-development—...
86. Men and Emotions - Your Vulnerability Is a Strength - Not a Weakness
What if the very thing you’ve been taught to hide… is actually your greatest strength?For many men, emotions have been framed as something to control, suppress, or avoid—especially at work. Stay logical. Stay composed. Stay stro...
85. Beat the Fight in 4 Steps
Workplace conflicts happen—but most leaders don’t know how to stop the cycle once it starts.In this episode of The Leader in You, Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld explain how to beat the fight in four steps using the Emotional...
84. Psychological Safety vs Emotional Safety
In this episode of The Leader in You, Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld welcome leadership consultant and author Aoife O’Brien to explore a powerful question facing many leaders today:Is psychological safety enough — or do teams ...
83. Pause Before You Lead
What if the real breakthrough in leadership isn’t about strategy — but about learning to pause?In this episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola and Polina welcome entrepreneur and leader Lisa Zimmer for an honest, vulnerabl...
82. When Positive Thinking Fails
What if “just think positive” is actually keeping you stuck?In this powerful and slightly controversial episode of The Leader in You, we unpack a viral positive-thinking challenge that promises life change in seven days — no com...
81. Success in Vulnerability
Why is vulnerability so often seen as weakness—especially at work? And what if it’s actually the key to movement, motivation, and lasting success?In this episode, Dr. Lola and Polina build on their previous conversation about the basics ...
80. When Silence Becomes a Lawsuit - The Hidden Cost of Manager Avoidance
What happens when a manager doesn’t respond to an employee’s text?When a request is ignored?When “we’re just here to do a job” becomes the culture?In this powerful conversation, we sit down with employment attorney Hanna Ranaa...