Episode 122: The Emotionally Intelligent Team with Vanessa Druskat

In this episode, William Corless speaks with Dr. Vanessa Druskat, author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups That Outperform the Rest. Vanessa reveals how high-performing teams use emotional intelligence as a system, not a personality trait. She shares the routines, rituals, and norms that help teams build trust, manage emotions, and create accountability from quick check-ins to playful “yellow and green card” feedback systems. 💬 In this episode: How emotionally intelligent teams handle conflict constructively The neuroscience of belonging and team motivation Turning everyday interactions into opportunities for trust and alignment How leaders can model vulnerability without losing authority A must-listen for anyone serious about creating teams that perform — and stay human. Find out more about Vanessa and her work here: Dr. Vanessa Urch Druskat

“Confidence is hard won and easily lost… so what comes after confidence?” This week I’m joined by David Forde — former Ireland international goalkeeper, Millwall legend, and now executive coach and author of Being the One. David opens up about resilience, transformation and leadership — and what it really takes to keep getting back up, on and off the pitch.   Find out more about the work David does here: Pathfinder Coaching | David

In this week’s episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Dr. Karen Bridbord — licensed psychologist, Gottman-certified couples therapist, and author of The Relationship-Driven Leader. Karen blends cutting-edge psychology with organisational behaviour to show how leaders can strengthen workplace relationships for better productivity, resilience, and wellbeing. From navigating conflict to building trust, Karen offers powerful tools every leader can use to transform team dynamics. 💡 Topics covered: How to complain without blame Recognising the “Four Horsemen” of toxic communication Understanding attachment styles at work Why bids for attention can make or break trust Practical repair strategies for conflict This episode is packed with real-world insights to help you lead with connection and confidence.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Alison Taylor, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and author of Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World. Alison has spent two decades advising multinational companies on risk, corruption, sustainability, human rights, and workplace culture. Her book has been praised as a timely guide for leaders navigating today’s polarized, high-stakes world. 💡 Key insights from this episode: Why the role of business in society has shifted beyond profit The rise of employee activism and what younger generations expect from employers Why “bad apples” aren’t the problem—it’s the system and incentives that matter How leaders can build ethical infrastructure that fosters trust and accountability Why putting human rights at the centre creates a stronger foundation than jargon or KPIs This is an eye-opening conversation on how leaders can move beyond greenwashing and PR to create lasting impact rooted in dignity, respect, and values. 🎙️ Listen now to learn how to lead on higher ground.

In this week's episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Jennifer Moss—award-winning author of The Burnout Epidemic and Why Work, and one of Thinkers50’s Top 10 management minds. Jennifer delivers incredible insights backed by cutting-edge research from Gallup, Oxford, and Deloitte. Her work helps leaders create workplace cultures that actually work—for performance and people. 🔥 Key insights from this episode: Hope Is a Strategy – Gallup’s newest research says hope is the #1 leadership skill today Purpose Gap – Why 85% of executives feel purpose, but only 15% of employees do Positive Gossip – Talking nicely behind someone’s back can boost innovation, onboarding & morale Social Engineering Isn’t Evil – How to intentionally rebuild culture with small rituals (and why Google slows down lunch lines) The Fear of Obsolescence – AI is creating silent anxiety in teams, and leaders aren’t talking about it The Cloak of Dissension – A genius way to build psychological safety and challenge groupthink 💡 Standout Quote: “We’re trying to galvanize young people for the future of work—but how can they do that if they feel no sense of themselves in that future?” Jennifer’s episode is packed with real-world examples and powerful reframes every leader needs to hear. Find out more about the work Jennifer does here: Why Are We Here - Creating A Work Culture Everyone Wants  

In this week's episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Sabina Nawaz, elite executive coach and author of "You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need." Sabina brings incredible credentials - 14 years at Microsoft where she advised Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly, plus extensive work with Fortune 500 companies. Her book has received high praise from Adam Grant, Marshall Goldsmith, and Rita McGrath! 📚 🔥 Key insights from this episode: The Container vs Content Mindset - Your job as a manager isn't the work itself, it's shaping HOW the work gets done Power Gap Distortions - How your strengths (being direct, confident, strategic) can be misinterpreted as weaknesses (callous, arrogant, manipulative) The "Ya But" Test - If you're using too many "ya buts" to justify your actions, you might be falling into toxic behaviors disguised as nobility Breaking Family Patterns - How childhood dynamics play out in our leadership style years later The Shut Up Muscle - The single biggest communication improvement? Speak less and listen more 💪 💡 Standout Quote: Sabina's insight about the myth of being exceptional vs excellent really hits home: "Excellent is producing great work. Exceptional is believing the rules don't apply to you." The book also includes a brilliant 360 assessment tool - pure gold for any manager! ⭐ Find out more about Sabina: sabinanawaz.com Support our podcast: patreon.com/WorkplacePodcast Follow us on: LinkedIn: Follow us on LinkedIn TikTok: The Workplace Podcast (@theworkplacepodcast) | TikTok YouTube: William Corless YellowWood - YouTube  

This episode's guest is Michael Chad Hoeppner, CEO of GK Training. He joins William to discuss his brilliant book "Don't Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively." Michael brings nearly 20 years of expertise helping people speak well when it matters most - from Columbia Business School to Fortune 500 companies and even former presidential candidates! 🔥 Episode Highlights: The Lego Drill: A game-changing exercise that forces you to slow down and communicate one idea at a time  Silent Storytelling: Unlock vocal variety by exaggerating your physical delivery before adding sound back in The 5 P's of Vocal Variety: Pace, Pitch, Pause, Power, and Placement - your roadmap to engaging communication Breathing Breakthrough: Learn to "put air into action" instead of just "taking a breath" Confidence vs. Competence: Stop chasing the mythical confidence beast and focus on building communication behaviours instead 💡 Key Takeaway: Your voice IS your body. When you engage your physical communication instrument, your words spring to life with natural variety and presence. The book is packed with practical exercises you can start using immediately - from finger walking to tackle verbal tics to mastering the art of strategic pauses. Download the nerves chapter FREE at HOME - Book Published - Don't Say Um | by Michael Chad Hoeppner📚 Find out more about Michael's work: Presentation Skills Training & Executive Coaching Services | GK Training #EffectiveCommunicationsMonth #TheWorkplacePodcast #Communication #Leadership #ExecutivePresence #PublicSpeaking #YellowWood  

Mattering isn't "touchy-feely" - it's as fundamental as eating or sleeping. And in our current challenging times, people need to feel they matter more than ever. In the latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Zach Mercurio to dive deep into his powerful book "The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance." Zach is a researcher, leadership development facilitator, and speaker who specialises in purposeful leadership and meaningful work. He holds a PhD from Colorado State University and serves as a senior fellow at the Centre for Meaning and Purpose. Episode Highlights: What is Mattering? It's feeling significant to those around you - knowing the team wouldn't be complete without you The NAND Model: Notice, Affirm, and show people they're Needed - three powerful behaviors that make people feel they matter The Traffic Light Check-in: A simple red/yellow/green system that led to 50% reduction in attrition and higher engagement scores The Noticing Book: A brilliant practice of writing down one thing about each team member and following up - "there's magic in being remembered" 💡 Key Insight: We add value because we feel valued - not the other way around. When people feel they matter, they develop the confidence and energy needed to perform, innovate, and contribute. Find out more about Zac's work: www.powerofmattering.com Connect with him on LinkedIn: Zach Mercurio 👉 Want to support the podcast? Check out our Patreon for exclusive content and help us keep bringing you these valuable conversations! For workplace training or consulting, visit: www.yellowwood.ie  

In the latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Dr. Tammy Lenski to discuss her groundbreaking book "The Conflict Pivot: Turning Conflict into Peace of Mind." Since 1997 Dr. Tammy Lenski has worked with individuals and organizations worldwide as a mediator, executive coach, speaker, and educator. Her work centres on addressing conflict in ongoing personal, team, and business relationships. Tammy has mediated thousands of private, court-affiliated, and online cases. She was in eBay's first group of online mediators in 1999 and on the first panel of probate court mediators in the U.S. Co-founder of the world's first master's degree program in mediation, she has taught conflict resolution and negotiation in four university programmes. Tammy holds a B.A. from Middlebury College, and a master's and doctorate from The University of Vermont. Prior to her ADR career she was a college vice president and dean. In 2012 the Association for Conflict Resolution recognized Tammy with the Mary Parker Follett award for innovative and pioneering work in the field. Her two books, The Conflict Pivot and Making Mediation Your Day Job, have sold more than 50,000 copies worldwide. In this enlightening conversation, William and Tammy explore: 🔹 Understanding your "conflict hooks" (competence, autonomy, fellowship, status, reliability, integrity) and how they impact workplace dynamics 🔹 Moving away from "stuck stories" that keep us trapped in conflict cycles 🔹 How to reclaim your personal agency in conflict situations 🔹 The three essential pivots to achieve peace of mind or resolve conflicts 🔹 Practical techniques for recalibration conversations and cognitive reappraisal 💡 Did you know? Managers spend up to 40% of their time addressing team conflicts! This episode provides invaluable tools to reduce that burden. Find out more about Tammy's work: https://tammylenski.com/ Download free conflict resolution worksheets from her website! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to see more guests like Tammy, please support us over on Patreon. patreon.com/WorkplacePodcast

On the Workplace Podcast, William Corless reunites with bestselling author Melody Wilding to discuss her incredible new book "Managing Up" Melody Wilding, Professor of Human Behaviour at Hunter College and named one of Insider's most innovative career coaches, brings her unique background as a therapist and emotions researcher to help us navigate those crucial relationships with people who have more positional power than us!   💡 Episode Highlights: Discover why managing up is about creating conditions for YOUR success (not just making your boss's life easier!) Learn about the essential "alignment conversation" that builds mutual understanding Unlock the secrets of communication styles and how to adapt without losing yourself Master the art of setting boundaries without burning bridges Create your own "me manual" to help others work better with you Find out more about the work Melody does and purchase her book here: Managing Up | Leadership Keynote Speaker | Melody Wilding If you enjoy our podcast, you can now support us through our Patreon! patreon.com/WorkplacePodcast