This episode of The Leader in You Podcast discusses the vital role of trust in workplace relationships.

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, Polina Marian, and Chip Simmons dive deep into how trust is not just about behavior but about authentic emotional connection and how the EmC process transforms the way organizations build and sustain trust. They explore real-life stories, including lessons from Chip's 9,000-person training journey, reducing turnover, and even making layoffs more human and healing. They emphasize that secure relationships drive performance, accountability, and well-being.

Tune into the episode to learn how to build authentic trust, repair broken bonds, and create work cultures where people feel valued and connected.

In this episode, we talk about:

• [00:00] Welcome and Introduction of Chip Simmons
• [02:08] Lola's early experience with The Speed of Trust
• [03:36] Why trust-building efforts often fail without emotional connection
• [05:43] Chip's background and how the EmC process changed his leadership
• [10:04] Why people lie at work — The role of fear and disconnection
• [14:16] Managers and difficult conversations — letting people go with care
• [18:00] The power of secure relationships during tough changes (demotions, layoffs)
• [23:23] The problem with performance reviews and the need for relationship reviews
• [25:28] Can you create a workplace where you never have to fire anyone?
• [27:25] Managers and teams: Why both share responsibility for trust
• [29:53] Rethinking meetings: from transactional to relational
• [31:44] The dance of connection — differences, attachment, and emotional safety
• [33:19] How emotions affect trust and performance long-term
• [37:00] Why time alone doesn't heal disconnection — it takes intentional repair
• [39:38] Closing reflections — trust as the foundation for thriving organizations

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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast discusses effective leadership and emotional connection strategies inspired by FranklinCovey's recent conference.

Lola and Polina explore delivering feedback effectively, nurturing human connections in remote work environments, and the role of emotional safety in team dynamics. They emphasize that genuine care and vulnerability are essential for effective leadership and team performance.

Tune into the episode to learn how to build emotional safety, deliver feedback that strengthens relationships, and maintain genuine connections even while working remotely.

In this episode, we talk about:

• [00:00] Introduction to today's topic
• [01:13] Lola shares insights from FranklinCovey's conference featuring Kim Scott on Radical Candor
• [03:51] Maintaining human connections remotely
• [06:39] The crucial role of emotional safety in the workplace
• [10:12] Understanding triggers and emotional responses at work
• [14:12] The importance of expressing emotional impacts rather than criticism
• [21:19] Challenges in interpreting emotional impacts accurately
• [25:02] Risks of withholding honest feedback
• [26:35] Vulnerability as a key to professional growth and team cohesion

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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.

In a recent Oval Office meeting, President Trump, Vice President Vance, and President Zelensky found themselves locked in a tense exchange—one that perfectly illustrates the negative cycle that derails communication, fuels mistrust, and blocks collaboration.

The conversation quickly spiraled into blame, frustration, and defensiveness, mirroring the destructive pattern known as Find the Bad Guy—where the main move is mutual attack, accusation, or blame.

🔴 The problem? When we feel hurt or vulnerable, we instinctively react with self-protection, often losing emotional safety in the process.

This cycle is all too familiar—not just in politics, but in leadership, business, and everyday relationships.

So how do we break free?

The Path to Creating Safety & Rebuilding Trust

✅ Recognize the Cycle – The real issue isn’t the person, it’s the pattern. When we feel cornered and flooded with fear, we hyper-focus on what the other person just did, but rarely see the impact of our own responses.

✅ Acknowledge Emotions – Our emotional world shrinks when we either numb out or lash out. Without recognizing emotions as our compass, we are effectively lost. Listen to what’s beneath the reaction, take time to organize and acknowledge emotions, and stay present in the conversation.

✅ Shift from Blame to Understanding – The more we attack, the more we appear dangerous to the other person. This negative pattern has to be shut down before trust and safety can be built. The real villain isn’t any individual—it’s the cycle itself.

When leaders understand these steps, they can deescalate conflict, transform conversations, and restore trust in their teams.

#presidenttrump #presidentzelensky #meeting #russia #meetingwithrussia #trumpandzelensky #conflict #russiaconflict

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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.

This episode of The Leader in You Podcast explores the power of emotional awareness to foster stronger relationships in the workplace and at home.

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, Polina Marian, and Niamh Hannan discuss how the Emotional Connection (EmC) process creates safety for emotional expression, helps identify underlying emotions, and improves professional and personal relationships. They highlight how emotions impact workplace performance, parenting, and overall well-being.

Tune into the episode to learn how emotional awareness can transform leadership, enhance connection, and improve communication at work and home.

In this episode, we talk about:

• [00:00] Welcome & Introductions
• [00:49] Why understanding emotions matters in the workplace
• [04:13] The EmC Process: A roadmap for emotional awareness
• [06:00] The power of specificity in naming emotions
• [10:16] The impact of emotional intelligence on personal relationships
• [13:10] Why traditional performance reviews create disconnection
• [15:14] How emotional triggers impact behavior and decision-making
• [18:16] Emotions as the next frontier in workplace leadership
• [21:48] The key to building connections with children and employees
• [25:00] How the EmC process naturally integrates into personal relationships
• [27:44] Disconnection and workplace performance: The brain-science link
• [29:40] Closing thoughts & next steps

Follow Niamh Hannan on LinkedIn

Follow Polina Instagram @lifewithfivekids

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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.

Did you know the most common communication mistake in the workplace is not responding? It leads to disconnection, misunderstanding, and emotional distress.

In Episode #35 of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and her daughter Polina explore how to uncover emotional triggers, repair relationships, and foster thriving teams.

➡️ The Top Communication Mistake: Not Responding (1:48 - 3:22)

➡️ Understanding Why People Don’t Respond (5:26 - 8:09)

➡️ The Slow Motion Camera Tool (8:25 - 10:39)

➡️ Repairing Emotional Injuries in Teams (13:21 - 15:51)

➡️ The Role of Trainers and Managers (17:50 - 22:34)

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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.

In this episode, Jenna Wohlwend hosts an engaging conversation with Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Niamh Hannan, a Certified EmC Trainer, exploring the Emotional Connection (EmC) certification process—a proven framework for cultivating emotionally intelligent and connected workplace cultures.

Niamh Hannan, a certified EmC trainer, shares her powerful experiences and insights on how EmC has transformed her work in corporate and leadership development.

Together, they delve into the importance of emotional connection, revealing how the EmC process equips leaders with practical tools to navigate complex relationships while boosting employee engagement, strengthening team cohesion, and enhancing training outcomes.

This insightful discussion also underscores why EmC certification is an invaluable asset for Talent and development professionals. It empowers them to guide leaders in creating emotionally secure environments that foster learning, collaboration, and high performance.

To contact Niamh Hannan, visit her website at https://niamhhannan.com/
Connect with Niamh Hannan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niamhhannan/

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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.

In this episode, we address the growing importance of mental health at work, especially in the wake of rising post-pandemic stress. Join us as we explore three key areas where leaders can make a difference:

1. The Rising Tide of Workplace Stress (3:05 – 5:42)
   • Workplace stress is surging, with 41% of employees at peak levels. Relational conflicts compound stresses, making emotional well-being a top priority.
2. Emotional Well-being as the Foundation (5:42 – 16:14)
   • Emotional well-being underpins mental health. Disengagement often signals poor mental health, stemming from disconnection with colleagues or managers.
3. The Power of Secure Relationships (19:24 – 31:51)
   • Secure relationships are essential for well-being and productivity. Leaders can foster trust, open communication, and emotional safety to create a supportive work environment.

Conclusion: Mental health isn’t just about programs—it’s about building strong connections. By prioritizing emotional safety, leaders create workplaces where trust, engagement, and success 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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.

This episode is dedicated to professionals who strive to create secure relationships within their teams and with their patients.

With a very special guest, Mary Koloroutis, we talk about “Fostering Healing Connections: Relationship-Based Care® in Leadership.”

Mary is the past CEO of Creative Health Care Management (CHCM), where she facilitated remarkable results, including improved patient engagement, clinician satisfaction, and a more resource-efficient work environment. As a leader at CHCM, Mary excelled in staff and team development and work process improvements.

With CHCM, Mary engaged leaders throughout organizations by providing relationship-based consultation services, innovative education programs, and some of the industry's most celebrated products.

Her work is grounded in the Relationship-Based Care® Model, focusing on leveraging the power of relationships to create healing environments where patients and families truly feel cared for.

She is also the co-creator, author, and editor of the Relationship-Based Care® series and co-author of "See Me As A Person: Creating Therapeutic Relationships with Patients and Their Families."

We are thrilled to have Mary Koloroutis with us to discuss the importance of creating secure relationships within teams and patients and why attachment and emotional connection are key for leaders in fostering these relationships.

Relationship-Based Care® is a product and service of Creative Health Care Management. For more information, visit www.chcm.com.

Connect with Mary Koloroutis on LinkedIn

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:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

Linkedin: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and workplace conflicts. She is the author of Emotional Connection and The Connected Culture, which aims to build strong and connected relationships, improve team dynamics, and prevent workplace conflicts.