Ever feel like you're terrible at reading the room or connecting with your team? You're not alone! This week, host Karl Pontau sits down with empathy coach Erin Thorpe to explore why so many leaders struggle with emotional connection—and how to fix it.
Erin breaks down the "emotionally constipated" leader phenomenon (yes, that's a real thing!) and shares practical tools to start flexing your empathy muscle. From the simple "1% more vulnerable" rule to using feelings wheels and walking meditations, she offers actionable steps that won't make you want to run screaming from the room.
What you'll discover:
Why saying "I'm fine" when you're clearly not is sabotaging your leadership
The pet and loved ones hack for accessing emotions at work
How one production manager went from team tyrant to trusted leader
The surprising connection between emotional awareness and team retention
Perfect for leaders who know they need to level up their people skills but don't know where to start. Because let's face it—in today's world, the "follow orders or else" approach just doesn't cut it anymore.
Ready to stop leading like a robot and start connecting like a human? This episode is your gentle push toward more authentic leadership.
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You can connect with Erin Thorp here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-thorp-speaker/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elthorp/
Website: www.erinthorp.ca
Book: https://www.insideoutempathy.com/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tactical-empathy/id1721613074
You can connect with Karl Pontau here:
www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau
Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!
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