What if the one skill you’ve overlooked is actually the key to unlocking your greatest impact? Emotional intelligence isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the foundation for authentic leadership, meaningful relationships, and personal growth. Today, I’m joined by Nikki Beyrle, a powerhouse HR executive and educator, to explore how understanding and building your EQ can transform your career, your connections, and your confidence. We share real stories, practical tools, and the mindset shifts that make emotional intelligence a true power skill.
Highlights
- The moment I realized emotional intelligence was a skill I could build—and why it changed everything
- Nikki’s journey from Pizza Hut to Chief HR Officer, and how people skills shaped her career
- The four quadrants of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management
- Practical exercises for increasing self-awareness (including the “two sides of the coin” method)
- How to respond instead of react in high-stress situations
- The power of apology and repair in relationships
- Social awareness: reading the room and raising adaptable, curious kids
- Building trust and navigating conflict as a leader
- Daily practices to strengthen your EQ
Chapters
00:13 – Discovering Emotional Intelligence
01:30 – Meet Nikki Beyrle
02:53 – The Journey of The Thread
04:41 – Understanding Emotional Intelligence
12:36 – Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence
19:09 – Building Whole-Brain Teams
19:43 – Self-Management: Responding vs. Reacting
23:00 – The Power of Apology and Repair
26:52 – Social Awareness: Reading the Room
31:35 – Relationship Management: Building Trust and Navigating Conflict
34:27 – Daily EQ Practices & Closing
Resources Mentioned
- TalentSmart’s Emotional Intelligence Assessment
- Kansas Leadership Center
- Connect with Nikki Beyrle on LinkedIn
Want to learn more?
Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn
This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.
Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.
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