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 defensiveness, shutdown, or denial, these moments often derail even our best intentions to connect.

Together, they explore how emotional disconnection fuels these reactions and how leaders, managers, and teammates can use the EmC process to slow things down, recognize protective behaviors, and create safety for real conversations to happen.

Tune in to learn:

• Why “curveballs” in conflict are really protection signals, not attacks
• How to spot the pursuer–withdrawer cycle and use the right phrases to rebuild trust
• What managers can do to help two people reconnect without taking sides
• Why expressing emotion is like putting down a heavy bag of bricks — freeing both the heart and mind

Join Polina and Dr. Lola as they show how even the toughest moments can become opportunities for healing, connection, and growth at work.

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...

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 from Day 2 of the ATD OrgDev Conference, Dr. Lola Gershfeld, Polina Marian, and guest Matt Gjertsen with Better Everyday Studios uncover how a workplace conflict turned into an unexpected story of connection, understanding, and emotional growth.

Matt shares a true story about two teammates who went from frustration to friendship—not through confrontation, but through simple, human moments of care. Together, we explore why emotions are contagious, how safety and empathy reshape team dynamics, and why no amount of AI or automation can replace genuine human connection.

Get ready for laughter, science, and inspiration—from handshakes and hugs in boardrooms to the power of emotional attunement that can transform entire teams.

🎧 Listen in to discover how turning conflict into connection can unlock trust, collaboration, and creativity at work.

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...

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 scenes at the ATD OrgDev Conference in Houston — joined by special guest Beth Messick, leadership coach and advisory board member for OrgDev.

Together, they unpack key insights from keynote speaker Galen Emanuele, who used the principles of improv — especially the “Yes, And” mindset — to illustrate how openness, flexibility, and emotional presence transform team dynamics and connection at work.

From playful improv exercises to deep reflections on emotional triggers, presence, and body awareness, this conversation bridges performance and neuroscience — showing how saying yes (and meaning it) creates trust and emotional safety in organizations.

You’ll learn how:

• The “Yes, And” approach mirrors emotionally safe communication in teams.
• Presence helps us tune into others’ emotions beyond just words.
• Disconnection and indifference can feel more painful than outright “no.”
• Emotional awareness allows leaders to expand flexibility and repair trust.

🎧 Tune in for a powerful mix of laughter, learning, and lived experience — and discover how Emotional Connection and improv thinking together can build more responsive, resilient teams.

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...

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 powerful link between emotional connection and well-being — drawing from the landmark Harvard Happiness Study and decades of attachment science.

Discover how the EmC Process helps you repair relationships, restore safety, and reawaken joy at work. Because when we feel seen, supported, and secure, everything — from performance to health — begins to thrive.

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...

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 episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian reveal the secret ingredient to true team transformation: self-awareness. Drawing from real data in the Team Emotional Safety Assessment (TESA), they share how one company’s 13% increase in self-awareness led to stronger relationships, fewer conflicts, and measurable improvements in emotional safety and productivity.

You’ll hear how the Emotional Connection (EmC) process helps teams identify emotional triggers, repair disconnections, and create secure bonds that unlock collaboration and trust. Lola and Polina also discuss the ripple effect of awareness—how it spreads through teams, reduces wasted time in conflict, and amplifies engagement and ROI.

If you’ve ever wondered what truly drives lasting change in a team, this episode will open your eyes to the emotional science behind transformation.

👉 Listen now to discover the secret ingredient to team transformation—self-awareness.

For more information on the Team Emotional Safety Assessment, click here.

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...

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 - L-TEMPO. Just like dancing, relationships move to a rhythm, and emotions are the music that guides us.

El TEMPO stands for:

• L – Longing for connection
• T – Triggers
• E – Emotions
• M – Meaning
• P – Protective behaviors
• O – Organizing

Together, Lola and Polina break down each step, showing how teams and leaders can use this simple yet transformative process to repair disconnections, regulate emotions, and return to accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement. You’ll also hear how even humor and music can become tools for emotional balance—turning tense moments into opportunities for connection.

Whether you’re navigating workplace conflicts, family dynamics, or team challenges, this episode gives you a practical way to understand and work with emotions, so you can create secure and thriving relationships in any setting.

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...

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 other running away. They explore how this destructive pattern shows up in meetings, teams, and leadership, and why it leaves everyone anxious, stuck, and disconnected.

More importantly, they reveal how the EmC Reconnection Process helps teams step out of the game and into genuine connection, trust, and collaboration. From de-escalation to bonding conversations, you’ll learn practical tools to stop the cycle and build a thriving workplace culture.

To get in contact with Niamh Hannan:

Niamh Hannan on LinkedIn

niamhhannan.com

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...

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 politics or speculation, but with a focus on what truly matters: how leaders, teams, and organizations can process collective trauma and its ripple effects in the workplace.

We introduce the Emotional Connection (EmC) process, a step-by-step method to:

• De-escalate emotions and create emotional safety
• Restructure conversations to repair relationship injuries
• Integrate daily practices that strengthen bonds and resilience

✨ For a visual of the three stages of the EmC process, watch this episode on YouTube — you’ll see the model in action.

📍 And join us at the ATD OrgDev Conference in Houston, TX, on October 21st, where we’ll be presenting two sessions:

• From Conflict to Connection
• Navigating Difficult Conversations

🔑 Key Takeaways from this episode:

• National and global tragedies impact how people show up at work.
• Safe emotional expression is the foundation of trust and resilience.
• Leaders set the tone for how teams process trauma and rebuild connection.
• The EmC process provides practical tools for moving from conflict to connection.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more conversations on emotional safety, leadership, and workplace connection.

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.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

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 ...