Shows / The Leader in You
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
- The Leader in You
112. When Fear Does the Talking, Connection Gets Lost
“You’re not tired.” “That’s not what happened.” “We’re doing it my way.” Could these everyday responses be quietly disconnecting us from the people who matter…
- The Leader in You
111. Bring Your Emotions to Work: Building Connected Teams | ATD OrgDev Recap
What happens when leaders make emotional connection part of everyday work? In this episode of The Leader in You, hosts Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian…
- The Leader in You
110. Before the Difficult Conversation: Finding Your Emotional Balance
What can you do when a conflict leaves you hurt, overwhelmed, or stuck—and the other person isn’t ready to talk? This week on The Leader in You, Paulina and…
- The Leader in You
109. From the Playground to the Workplace: Breaking the Conflict Cycle
What do healthcare leaders and elementary school students have in common? They both need tools to work through conflict and reconnect. In this episode of The…
- The Leader in You
108. We Had a Conflict at Dinner—Here’s What Happened Next | Aric Bostick
What happens when three people who teach emotional connection actually find themselves in a real conflict together? In this episode of The Leader in You, Dr…
- The Leader in You
107. When “I’m Fine” Isn’t Fine: How Leaders Can Create Safety When Someone Is Struggling
Sometimes the words “I’m fine” mean exactly that. But sometimes, they are a way of covering hurt, fear, shame, or a sense of disconnection that feels too…
- The Leader in You
106. From Conflict to Connection: Finding Emotional Balance at Work
When your team is already overwhelmed, talking about emotions can feel like one more task. But what if those conversations are what help everyone regain focus…
- The Leader in You
105. Why Feeling Seen Changes Everything: Aric Bostick on Attachment, Trust, and Resilience at Work
What makes people feel safe enough to trust, connect, and thrive at work? In this episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian sit down with speaker and…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
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…
- The Leader in You
79. Love Is in the Air - Why Emotional Connection Changes Everything at Work
As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re talking about something we don’t discuss nearly enough—love, emotional connection, and why they matter so deeply in our…
- The Leader in You
78. Turning Leadership Turmoil Into Purpose
What happens when leadership feels overwhelming, disconnected, or quietly empty—even when success looks strong from the outside? In this episode of The Leader…
- The Leader in You
77. The Real Reason You’re So Sensitive at Work
In this episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina unpack the real reason people feel “so sensitive” at work—and why it’s not a flaw…
- The Leader in You
76. New YEAR micro Habit that will change your leadership
As the new year begins, many leaders set bold resolutions—yet struggle to create change that truly lasts. In this episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola…
- The Leader in You
75. Through Tragedy Came Light - A Personal Interview with Dr. Lola
Some leadership frameworks are born in classrooms. Others are born in suffering. In this deeply personal episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola shares…
- The Leader in You
74. Philosopher Turned Conflict Expert - Hear It from Merry
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Merry Brown—a philosopher-turned-mediator, ombuds, facilitator, and host of Conflict Managed—to explore how her…
- The Leader in You
73. The Next Generation of Emotional Leaders
In this special and heartfelt episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and co-host Polina Marian welcome a uniquely insightful guest—16-year-old CEO…
- The Leader in You
72. Why We Act Weird at Work
In this heartfelt Thanksgiving-week episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and co-host Polina Marian explore a surprisingly common but rarely…
- The Leader in You
71. Keeping Your Focus
In this episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and her daughter and co-host, Polina Marian, explore one of the most universal leadership challenges…
- The Leader in You
70. Becoming a Secure Leader
In this insightful episode of The Leader in You, Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld sit down with Dr. Jamie Goff, author of The Secure Leader, to explore how…
- The Leader in You
69. Bringing People Home
In this heartfelt episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Gershfeld speaks with Niamh Hannan, EmC Certified Trainer in Ireland, about what it truly means to…
- The Leader in You
68. When Conflict Throws a Curveball
In this episode, Polina and Dr. Lola unpack what happens when workplace conflicts take an unexpected turn — what they call “the curveball.” Whether it’s…
- The Leader in You
67. A FIGHT no one EXPECTED in Aerospace Engineering - ATD OrgDev Day 2
What happens when two aerospace engineers just can’t get along—and a manager decides not to force a resolution? In this insightful and entertaining episode…
- The Leader in You
66. Yes, And - ATD OrgDev Day 1
In this lively conference edition of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and her daughter and co-host, Polina Marian, bring listeners behind the…
- The Leader in You
65. Stuck, Stressed, or Disconnected? There’s a Way Out.
When conflict and loneliness take over your workplace, your body and mind pay the price. In this episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian explore the…
- The Leader in You
64. THE SECRET Ingredient to Team TRANSFORMATION
What if the key to transforming your team’s culture, connection, and performance wasn’t another system or strategy—but something far more human? In this…
- The Leader in You
63. L-TEMPO - Turning Conflict into Connection at Work and Beyond
In this episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina explore a powerful new framework for understanding conflict and restoring balance -…
- The Leader in You
62. Pac-Man at Work-Breaking the Pursuer-Withdrawer Cycle with Niamh Hannan
In this episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and psychologist Niamh Hannan unpack what happens when workplace dynamics feel like a game of Pac-Man—one person chasing…
- The Leader in You
61. CHARLIE KIRK's ASSASSINATION and what we have to say about it
In this episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian respond to the shocking news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination — not with…
- The Leader in You
60. Thinking Like a Researcher - Dr. Alaina Szlachta on Data, Mindset, and Measuring What Matters
In this engaging episode of The Leader in You Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Alaina Szlachta, author of Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring. Alaina…
- The Leader in You
59. The Secret to Healthy Team Relationships
In this episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld reveals the secret to creating and sustaining healthy team relationships. Drawing from…
- The Leader in You
58. When Teams Miss Each Other - Breaking Free from Emotional Disconnect at Work
In this week’s episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld takes on some of the most common — and challenging — questions about team dynamics and…
- The Leader in You
57. Team Is Not Fine - How to Spot Disconnection and Repair It Before It’s Too Late
When a team feels “off,” the damage goes deeper than missed deadlines—it erodes trust, safety, and connection. In this solo episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld reveals…
- The Leader in You
56. Cheaters at the Coldplay Concert
In this riveting and emotionally charged episode, dive into a viral workplace scandal that rocked social media—the infamous kiss-cam moment at a Coldplay…
- The Leader in You
55. Holding Two Truths - The Hidden Superpower of Emotionally Attuned Leaders
In this insightful episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina dive into the transformative power of holding two truths—a leadership practice…
- The Leader in You
54. Becoming Better - Healing, Mindsets & the Inner Work of Leadership with Ryan Gottfredson
In this powerful episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola and Polina sit down with bestselling author and leadership expert Ryan Gottfredson to explore what it…
- The Leader in You
53. The Seven Coaching Styles Every Leader Needs - A Conversation with OwlHub's David Morelli and Alexandria Scobee
What if your leadership challenges are hidden in the coaching styles you don’t use? In this engaging and insightful episode, we’re joined by David Morelli and…