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 host of the Happier at Work Podcast, for a thought-provoking conversation about one of the biggest questions leaders face today: As AI becomes more integrated into the workplace, what happens to the human connections that help people feel safe, valued, and able to thrive? Drawing from her U.S. book tour and conversations with leaders across organizations, Aoife shares insights on what organizations may gain through technology—and what they risk losing if human relationships are replaced by efficiency alone. Together, Lola and Aoife explore: • Why AI can support our work but cannot replace human connection • The small moments and "bids for connection" that strengthen workplace relationships • Why people may feel increasingly disconnected and lonely at work • The difference between psychological safety and emotional safety • Why feedback can feel threatening when relationships feel insecure • How fixed and growth mindsets influence our ability to learn and change • Why people and teams do not have to stay stuck This conversation reminds us that thriving at work is about more than performance, productivity, and technology. People grow, learn, and do their best work when they feel emotionally safe, supported, and connected. Because thriving talent isn't created by AI alone—it is created through human relationships. Connect with Aoife O'Brien: • Aoife O'Brien on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] • Thriving Talent • Happier at Work Podcast [https://happieratwork.ie/] The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.  CONNECT: EmC Leaders [https://emcleaders.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/emcleaders/ ] Twitter [https://twitter.com/emcleaders ] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/emcleaders/] YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOvRm8PIdTj2rPHr3w1iDsg] RESOURCES: TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT [https://emcleaders.com/tesa] RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS [https://emcleaders.com/resources] CONFLICT RESOLUTION MASTER PROGRAM [https://emcleaders.com/crp] CONTACT US [https://emcleaders.com/contact-us] Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld: LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld/] Instagram: @drlolaemc [https://www.instagram.com/drlolaemc/] Connect with Polina Marian: LinkedIn: Polina Marian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/polinamarian/] Instagram: @livewithfivekids Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and wo...

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 Angeles, Dr. Lola Gershfeld, Polina Marian, and Niamh Hannan explore the hidden emotional patterns that shape workplace relationships and team performance. Together, they unpack new research showing the powerful impact managers have on employee engagement and reveal why disengagement is often a symptom of something happening beneath the surface. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why disengaged managers create disengaged teams  • The surprising cost of disengagement on collaboration, productivity, and well-being  • The common pursue-withdraw cycle that keeps people stuck in workplace conflict  • Why the problem isn't the person — it's the pattern  • How emotional awareness helps leaders stay Accessible, Responsive, and Engaged (A.R.E.) during difficult conversations  • How changing emotional patterns can transform team dynamics and connection Conflict isn't simply a communication problem or a skills problem. When emotions drive reactions, logic alone rarely fixes it. The key is learning how to recognize the cycle and create emotional safety that allows people to reconnect. Join us for this special live ATD conversation as we explore what becomes possible when leaders learn to create stronger emotional bonds at work.  The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.  CONNECT: EmC Leaders [https://emcleaders.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/emcleaders/ ] Twitter [https://twitter.com/emcleaders ] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/emcleaders/] YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOvRm8PIdTj2rPHr3w1iDsg] RESOURCES: TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT [https://emcleaders.com/tesa] RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS [https://emcleaders.com/resources] CONFLICT RESOLUTION MASTER PROGRAM [https://emcleaders.com/crp] CONTACT US [https://emcleaders.com/contact-us] Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld: LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld/] Instagram: @drlolaemc [https://www.instagram.com/drlolaemc/] Connect with Polina Marian: LinkedIn: Polina Marian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/polinamarian/] Instagram: @livewithfivekids Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and wo...

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 so emotionally intense—and why conflict at work often has roots far deeper than communication skills alone. Drawing from attachment science, emotional connection research, and real workplace examples, they unpack how the patterns we learned with our parents and caregivers can unconsciously shape the way we respond to managers, feedback, promotions, rejection, conflict, and emotional disconnection at work. In this episode, you’ll discover: * Why managers often become “key attachment figures” in the workplace * How childhood attachment patterns replay themselves in leadership and team relationships * Why fear—not lack of skills—is often driving workplace conflict * The hidden emotional meaning behind defensiveness, withdrawal, silence, and “I don’t want to talk about it” * How emotionally responsive leadership creates stronger performance, engagement, resilience, and trust * Why emotional safety is essential for teams to thrive * How the EmC Process helps people recognize and restructure unhealthy relational patterns Dr. Lola also shares powerful research on attachment and leadership, including studies showing how emotionally responsive leaders improve performance, stress management, and team connection. This episode is a reminder that leadership is not just about strategy, accountability, or communication techniques—it’s about creating a secure emotional connection where people feel safe enough to grow, contribute, take risks, and succeed together. If you’ve ever wondered why certain workplace interactions trigger such strong emotional reactions… this conversation may change the way you see leadership forever. The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.  CONNECT: EmC Leaders [https://emcleaders.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/emcleaders/ ] Twitter [https://twitter.com/emcleaders ] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/emcleaders/] YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOvRm8PIdTj2rPHr3w1iDsg] RESOURCES: TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT [https://emcleaders.com/tesa] RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS [https://emcleaders.com/resources] CONFLICT RESOLUTION MASTER PROGRAM [https://emcleaders.com/crp] CONTACT US [https://emcleaders.com/contact-us] Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld: LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld/] Instagram: @drlolaemc [https://www.instagram.com/drlolaemc/] Connect with Polina Marian: LinkedIn: Polina Marian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/polinamarian/] Instagram: @livewithfivekids Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and wo...

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 Conference:  No matter where people come from—different countries, languages, or backgrounds—the way they respond to disconnection looks strikingly the same. Through real stories—from a multicultural workplace to a transformative meeting in South Korea—we reveal why: *  Conflict isn’t a communication problem… it’s an emotional one  *  You don’t need a shared language to create connection  *  Validation, presence, and emotional safety transcend culture  You’ll hear how one conversation—without a shared language—rebuilt trust, strengthened a global partnership, and changed the trajectory of a business relationship. We also unpack a critical leadership shift:  👉 Stop trying to change behavior  👉 Start sharing emotional impact Because when people feel seen, valued, and important, change happens naturally. This episode will challenge the way you think about feedback, culture, and communication—and give you a new roadmap for leading connected, high-performing teams anywhere in the world. 🔑 Key Takeaways *  Disconnection triggers the same human responses across all cultures: pursue (anxious) or withdraw  *  Emotional connection is the true universal language—not words  *  You don’t need agreement to create connection—you need validation  *  Feedback without connection damages relationships; impact deepens them  *  When emotional safety is present, behavior change follows naturally  💬 Closing Thought Across every culture, every team, every language—  the question is always the same: “Do I matter to you?” And everything changes when the answer becomes a felt, undeniable yes. The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.  CONNECT: EmC Leaders [https://emcleaders.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/emcleaders/ ] Twitter [https://twitter.com/emcleaders ] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/emcleaders/] YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOvRm8PIdTj2rPHr3w1iDsg] RESOURCES: TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT [https://emcleaders.com/tesa] RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS [https://emcleaders.com/resources] CONFLICT RESOLUTION MASTER PROGRAM [https://emcleaders.com/crp] CONTACT US [https://emcleaders.com/contact-us] Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld: LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld/] Instagram: @drlolaemc [https://www.instagram.com/drlolaemc/] Connect with Polina Marian: LinkedIn: Polina Marian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/polinamarian/] Instagram: @livewithfivekids Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and wo...

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 Your Sh*t at Work, to explore the powerful patterns behind how we react under pressure—and why those reactions can either damage or deepen our relationships. Karen shares her deeply personal journey—from being a successful executive who struggled with emotional outbursts to developing a transformative framework that has helped thousands of leaders navigate conflict more effectively. We dive into her concept of “Nows” and “Laters”: * Why some people feel the need to address conflict immediately * Why others need time and space to process * And how these differences often create cycles of misunderstanding, frustration, and disconnection You’ll hear how: * Emotional reactions are not flaws—but patterns shaped over time * Triggers are signals, not problems to suppress * What feels like “losing control” is often a move into survival mode * Real leadership is not about avoiding emotion—but learning how to work with it We also connect Karen’s work to emotional connection and explore how these moments of conflict can become opportunities for deeper understanding, trust, and repair. This is an honest, relatable, and insightful conversation for anyone who has ever: * Said something they regretted * Stayed silent when they wanted to speak * Or wondered, “Why do I react this way?” Because the goal isn’t to choose between “now” or “later”… It’s to learn how to stay connected—no matter what moment you’re in. 🔗 Connect with Karen Thrall: * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenthrallinc/] * 🌐 https://KarenThrall.com [https://karenthrall.com/] * 📱 @karenthrallinc The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.  CONNECT: EmC Leaders [https://emcleaders.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/emcleaders/ ] Twitter [https://twitter.com/emcleaders ] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/emcleaders/] YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOvRm8PIdTj2rPHr3w1iDsg] RESOURCES: TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT [https://emcleaders.com/tesa] RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS [https://emcleaders.com/resources] CONFLICT RESOLUTION MASTER PROGRAM [https://emcleaders.com/crp] CONTACT US [https://emcleaders.com/contact-us] Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld: LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld/] Instagram: @drlolaemc [https://www.instagram.com/drlolaemc/] Connect with Polina Marian: LinkedIn: Polina Marian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/polinamarian/] Instagram: @livewithfivekids Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and wo...