The Emotional Intelligence Advantage with Amy Jacobson

How does understanding the anatomy of leadership help us navigate personal and organizational change more effectively? In this conversation, Kevin and Louisa Loran discuss that while transformation often feels large, complex, and organizational, it is ultimately experienced and enacted by one person at a time. Louisa describes leadership as a living system with four interconnected elements: envisioning what is possible, expanding curiosity to explore new options, steering decisively through priorities and choices, and embodying presence so others can trust and follow. They address how leaders can navigate change, especially when they don't fully agree with directions set from above. Louisa emphasizes that change is rarely black and white. Instead of resisting or disengaging, effective leaders find their own point of alignment, clarify how they can contribute meaningfully, and channel their energy toward what they can influence. Listen For 00:00 Introduction – Leading Through Technology and People 00:38 Welcome to the Remarkable Leadership Podcast 01:26 Meet Louisa Loran (Author of Leadership Anatomy in Motion) 02:31 Why "Leadership Anatomy"? The Core Idea Behind the Book 03:43 Why Change Is Personal, Not Organizational 05:31 What If You Don't Believe in the Change as a Leader? 09:16 The 4 Elements of Leadership Anatomy 11:23 The Power of Collective Intelligence in Teams 18:04 Strategy, Framing, and Thinking Beyond Current Constraints 19:42 Why Busyness Is So Dangerous for Leaders 22:29 Rethinking Work with Zero-Based Thinking 24:15 Why Change Takes Time to Take Hold 25:30 Louisa's Personal Reset: Dancing and Life Outside Work 26:26 What Louisa Is Reading Right Now 29:47 Where to Connect with Louisa + Her New Book 30:34 Kevin's Final Leadership Question: "Now What?" Louisa's Story: Louisa Loran is the author of Leadership Anatomy in Motion: Empowering You to Lead Through Technology and People. She has led transformative growth across some of the world's most respected companies—DIAGEO, MAERSK, and Google. At Google, Louisa launched a billion-dollar supply chain solutions business, doubled growth in a global industry vertical, and led strategic business transformation for the company's largest customers in EMEA—working at the forefront of AI, data, and platform innovation. At MAERSK, she co-authored the strategy that redefined the brand globally and doubled its share price, helping pivot the company from traditional shipping to integrated logistics. Her career began in the luxury and FMCG space with Moët Hennessy and DIAGEO, where she built iconic brands and led innovation at the intersection of heritage and digital transformation. Louisa also serves on the boards of Copenhagen Business School and CataCap Private Equity https://www.louisaloran.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-loran/ Looking to Develop Stronger Leaders? Want help developing the leaders in your organization? Reach out to explore how the Kevin Eikenberry Group can support your team at [email protected]. Book Recommendations Leadership Anatomy in Motion: Empowering You to Lead Through Technology and People by Louisa Loran  The Hour Between Dog and Wolf: How Risk Taking Transforms Us, Body and Mind by John Coates The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey Fusion Strategy: How Real-Time Data and AI Will Power the Industrial Future by Vijay Govindarajan and Venkat Venkatraman Like this? The Psychology of Leadership with Sébastien Page Creating Strength in Chaos with Kevin Black Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes   

Have you ever had an idea that felt perfectly clear in your head… until you tried explaining it? Suddenly someone asks a question, and the idea that seemed so solid starts to fall apart. In this episode, I explore a simple but powerful idea: thoughts are fuzzy, words bring clarity. When we put our thoughts into words—whether spoken or written—we begin to see them more clearly. That clarity helps us communicate better, strengthen relationships, and lead more effectively. I share why this happens and offer practical examples you can use immediately with your team and colleagues. Key Ideas From This Episode Why ideas feel clearer in our heads than they actually are How speaking our thoughts exposes gaps in our thinking Why writing things down can sharpen clarity How leaders can communicate expectations and boundaries more effectively Why assumptions hurt communication—and how conversation fixes them How teams gain clarity through discussion Your Remarkable Day Newsletter Three days a week I share leadership ideas, encouragement, and insights designed to help you reach your potential as a leader and a human being. Learn more and subscribe: https://KevinEikenberry.com/newsletters My name is Kevin Eikenberry and I'm here to help you reach your goal as a leader and a human being with Remarkable TV and the Remarkable Leadership Podcast. I am also the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. We provide speaking, training, consulting, and coaching services to organizations who believe in investing in their most valuable assets – their people. Whether we are leading a training workshop, speaking to a group, facilitating a planning meeting, consulting with a leadership team, helping with team building, writing or developing products, our vision will be clear in everything we do – We want to be Your Leadership Help Button. Learn more about our offerings: ➡️ FREE NEWSLETTERs: Sign up for any of our newsletters: https://kevineikenberry.com/newsletters ➡️ LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS: Sign up for any of our online workshops to help you become a better leader: https://kevineikenberry.com/store/?product_type=Workshops ➡️ SPEAKING: Learn more about our Speaking opportunities for your next event: https://kevineikenberry.com/how-we-can-help-speaking/  Connect with Kevin Eikenberry on Social Media:  https://kevineikenberry.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevineikenberry https://twitter.com/KevinEikenberry https://instagram.com/kevineikenberry https://www.facebook.com/KevinEikenberryFanPage/ About Kevin Eikenberry: Kevin Eikenberry is the Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group, a world expert on leadership development, best-selling author, sought-after speaker, popular blogger, husband and dad, a fan of Purdue athletics and antique tractors (especially John Deere's). About The Remarkable Leadership Podcast: The Remarkable Leadership Podcast with Kevin Eikenberry is dedicated to all things leadership. Twice a week Kevin shares his thoughts about leadership development and ideas to help you lead more confidently and make a bigger difference for those you lead. He also has weekly conversations with leadership experts discussing a wide range of topics including teamwork, organizational culture, facilitating change, personal and organizational development, human potential and more.  

Why is emotional intelligence no longer optional for leaders facing change and challenging conversations? Amy Jacobson joins Kevin to discuss what emotional intelligence really is and why it matters more than ever. They explore emotional intelligence as a skill, not an identity, emphasizing that EQ shows up in the how and why behind our decisions and behaviors. Amy shares a common misconception about emotional intelligence, clarifying that it isn't about avoiding conflict, being agreeable, or maintaining constant positivity, but about understanding emotions, regulating responses, and choosing actions that move people and outcomes forward. Amy also introduces relatable metaphors, such as treating change as if it were "your baby," to explain why leaders often overlook the emotional experience of those affected by change. Amy's Story: Amy Jacobson is the author of Emotional Intelligence: A Simple and Actionable Guide to Increasing Performance, Engagement and Ownership and her new book The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering Change and Difficult Conversations. She is an emotional intelligence and human behavior specialist. Previously featured in Fast Company, The Daily Telegraph, News.com.au and more, Jacobson trains corporations, companies and groups large and small in both private and public sectors about the importance of emotional intelligence. She uses simple, actionable strategies—and a bit of tough love where needed—to help leaders and employees understand that no matter what industry you are part of, our biggest challenges are always the same. When she's not working, Jacobson enjoys musicals, basketball, traveling and dining out. She and her husband, Mark, share two teenage children. This Episode is brought to you by... Flexible Leadership is every leader's guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.  Book Recommendations Emotional Intelligence: A Simple and Actionable Guide to Increasing Performance, Engagement and Ownership by Amy Jacobson The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering Change and Difficult Conversations by Amy Jacobson  Like this? Leading Change Intelligently with Barbara Trautlein Making Change Work with Brendon Baker Building Emotionally Intelligent Teams with Vanessa Druskat Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP  

Are you thinking enough? In a world filled with constant notifications, endless meetings, and nonstop busyness, deep thinking has become rare. But leadership isn't built on reacting — it's built on thoughtful decisions. If you want better results, stronger influence, and smarter choices, you must protect time to think. In this episode, I'll share: Why modern work works against real thinking How automatic habits limit better leadership decisions What leaders should actually be thinking about How thinking sets you apart professionally 3 practical ways to schedule and protect thinking time Leadership is ultimately about decision-making. And better decisions require better thinking. If you're serious about growing as a leader, this may be the advantage you've been overlooking. My name is Kevin Eikenberry and I'm here to help you reach your goal as a leader and a human being with Remarkable TV and the Remarkable Leadership Podcast. I am also the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. We provide speaking, training, consulting, and coaching services to organizations who believe in investing in their most valuable assets – their people. Whether we are leading a training workshop, speaking to a group, facilitating a planning meeting, consulting with a leadership team, helping with team building, writing or developing products, our vision will be clear in everything we do – We want to be Your Leadership Help Button. Learn more about our offerings: ➡️ FREE NEWSLETTERs: Sign up for any of our newsletters: https://kevineikenberry.com/newsletters ➡️ LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS: Sign up for any of our online workshops to help you become a better leader: https://kevineikenberry.com/store/?product_type=Workshops ➡️ SPEAKING: Learn more about our Speaking opportunities for your next event: https://kevineikenberry.com/how-we-can-help-speaking/  Connect with Kevin Eikenberry on Social Media:  https://kevineikenberry.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevineikenberry https://twitter.com/KevinEikenberry https://instagram.com/kevineikenberry https://www.facebook.com/KevinEikenberryFanPage/ About Kevin Eikenberry: Kevin Eikenberry is the Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group, a world expert on leadership development, best-selling author, sought-after speaker, popular blogger, husband and dad, a fan of Purdue athletics and antique tractors (especially John Deere's). About The Remarkable Leadership Podcast: The Remarkable Leadership Podcast with Kevin Eikenberry is dedicated to all things leadership. Twice a week Kevin shares his thoughts about leadership development and ideas to help you lead more confidently and make a bigger difference for those you lead. He also has weekly conversations with leadership experts discussing a wide range of topics including teamwork, organizational culture, facilitating change, personal and organizational development, human potential and more.  

How can organizations become more adaptable in a world of constant change? In this episode, Kevin sits down with Phil Le-Brun to explore why traditional change efforts often fail and what companies should do to succeed in today's complex environment. Phil introduces the metaphor of the octopus organization, a model for agility and continuous learning. He contrasts it with the outdated tin man approach that views people as interchangeable parts in a machine. Kevin and Phil discuss the difference between complicated and complex systems, emphasizing why leaders must move beyond linear plans and embrace learning as the path to change. They also discuss how clarity, ownership, and curiosity form the foundation of adaptability and why leaders must foster environments where these traits can thrive. Phil's Story: Phil Le-Brun is the co-author of The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation with Jana Werner. He is an executive in residence at Amazon Web Services and a former corporate VP and international CIO at McDonald's Corporation. At McDonald's, he co-led the consolidation and modernization of technology across thirty-eight thousand restaurants globally. In his current role, Phil engages with Fortune 500 executives and their teams and with public-sector customers to mentor, advise, and guide them on their journeys to become more adaptable organizations. He is a sought-after speaker and has been featured in Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian. https://www.theoctopusorganization.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillebrun/ This Episode is brought to you by... Flexible Leadership is every leader's guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.  Book Recommendations The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation by Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation by Linda A. Hill, Emily Tedards, and Jason Wild Like this? Wiring the Winning Organization with Gene Kim Handing Over the Mic: Exploring Flexible Leadership with Julie Winkle Giulioni Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP  

Are you trying to develop yourself on your own? Let's be clear: There is no such thing as a self-made leader. Leadership can be lonely — but you can't develop as a leader alone. In this episode of Remarkable TV, I talk about: ✔️ Why trying to "figure it out yourself" slows your growth ✔️ Why leadership development is a team sport ✔️ How to find your people ✔️ How to create a development process ✔️ Why feedback from your team matters more than you think ✔️ What organizations must do to support their leaders If you're serious about growing as a leader, the most important question isn't: "How can I do this myself?" It's: "Who's helping me grow?" If you'd like to talk about how we can support your leaders, email us at [email protected] for a no-obligation conversation. My name is Kevin Eikenberry and I'm here to help you reach your goal as a leader and a human being with Remarkable TV and the Remarkable Leadership Podcast. I am also the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. We provide speaking, training, consulting, and coaching services to organizations who believe in investing in their most valuable assets – their people. Whether we are leading a training workshop, speaking to a group, facilitating a planning meeting, consulting with a leadership team, helping with team building, writing or developing products, our vision will be clear in everything we do – We want to be Your Leadership Help Button. Learn more about our offerings: ➡️ FREE NEWSLETTERs: Sign up for any of our newsletters: https://kevineikenberry.com/newsletters ➡️ LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS: Sign up for any of our online workshops to help you become a better leader: https://kevineikenberry.com/store/?product_type=Workshops ➡️ SPEAKING: Learn more about our Speaking opportunities for your next event: https://kevineikenberry.com/how-we-can-help-speaking/  Connect with Kevin Eikenberry on Social Media:  https://kevineikenberry.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevineikenberry https://twitter.com/KevinEikenberry https://instagram.com/kevineikenberry https://www.facebook.com/KevinEikenberryFanPage/ About Kevin Eikenberry: Kevin Eikenberry is the Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group, a world expert on leadership development, best-selling author, sought-after speaker, popular blogger, husband and dad, a fan of Purdue athletics and antique tractors (especially John Deere's). About The Remarkable Leadership Podcast: The Remarkable Leadership Podcast with Kevin Eikenberry is dedicated to all things leadership. Twice a week Kevin shares his thoughts about leadership development and ideas to help you lead more confidently and make a bigger difference for those you lead. He also has weekly conversations with leadership experts discussing a wide range of topics including teamwork, organizational culture, facilitating change, personal and organizational development, human potential and more.  

Are meetings burning out your team? In the final episode of this five-part series, Kevin and workplace culture expert Jennifer Moss examine how meeting overload drives burnout and reduces productivity. Data shows a 252% increase in Microsoft Teams meetings since 2019 and the rise of "pajama hours," when employees feel compelled to catch up on work during off-hours. Jennifer explains why video calls exhaust us more than we realize and why phone calls might be your secret weapon against fatigue. They share practical strategies: conduct a calendar audit, convert some meetings to asynchronous formats, and invite people only when they're truly needed. They also challenge leaders to reframe declining meetings; it's not a slight, it's a gift of time. Jennifer's Story: Jennifer Moss specializes in future-focused leadership development, expertly balancing employee well-being with performance. As an award-winning writer and internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, she specializes in transforming workplace culture using data-driven leadership strategies. Her book The Burnout Epidemic tackled employee burnout and was among Thinkers50's "10 Best New Management Books for 2022." Her latest book is WHY ARE WE HERE?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants (Harvard Business Review Press; 2025) https://www.jennifer-moss.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenleighmoss/ https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7221183318774403072/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW43a_jDAA4txctjAyaStg Book Recommendations Why Are We Here?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants by Jennifer Moss The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It by Jennifer Moss Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group  

What if projects weren't just part of work but how work gets done in your organization? In this episode, Kevin is joined by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez to discuss the project economy and why treating projects as "side work" is no longer an option for leaders. Antonio challenges traditional hierarchies and operational mindsets, making the case that today's value creation, innovation, and transformation happen primarily through projects. He also explains why mindset matters more than tools and why project leaders must think like entrepreneurs who own outcomes, fight for value, and bring problems into the open rather than hide them. Kevin and Antonio explore the critical skills leaders need to move from managing tasks to leading change, including building real teams, understanding the business impact of projects, and having the courage to challenge senior leaders when priorities are unclear. Antonio's Story: Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez is the author of five books, including the Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook and his latest book, Powered by Projects: Leading Your Organization in the Transformation Age. He is a world-leading expert in project management, strategy execution, and organizational transformation. He is the creator of the "project economy" concept, which advocates that organizations shift from traditional hierarchical structures to fully project-driven ones—where change, innovation, and strategy come to life through projects. Antonio was selected as one of the top 50 most influential management thinkers in the world by Thinkers50 in both 2023 and 2025. He previously served as chairman of the Project Management Institute and is a visiting professor at top business schools, including Duke CE, IE Business School, and Skolkovo. This Episode is brought to you by... Flexible Leadership is every leader's guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.  Book Recommendations Powered by Projects: Leading Your Organization in the Transformation Age by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows . . .: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life by Steven Pinker  Like this? Leadership in Project Management with Lou Russell Creating Meaningful Work with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles Building and Leading High Performance and Championship Teams with Chantal Vallée Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group  

Most leaders are told, "You need to delegate." And that's true — if you delegate correctly. But here's the real question I want you to consider: Are you delegating work… or developing people? In this episode of Remarkable TV and the Remarkable Leadership Podcast, I challenge the common view of delegation as simply a time-management tactic. Done poorly, delegation is just handing off tasks. Done well, it becomes one of the most powerful tools you have to develop others. In this episode, I'll walk you through: The critical difference between delegating work and developing people Three questions to help you diagnose your delegation mindset Why delegation isn't really about time management How organizations should rethink how they teach delegation Why delegation framed as coaching transforms your leadership impact If you want to grow as a leader — and help others grow too — this conversation matters. 🔔 Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss future episodes designed to help you reach your potential as a leader and as a human being. If the second half of this resonated with you — especially around how your organization develops leaders — we should talk. Email us at [email protected] and we'll schedule a no-obligation conversation about what's happening with your leaders and how we might help. My name is Kevin Eikenberry and I'm here to help you reach your goal as a leader and a human being with Remarkable TV and the Remarkable Leadership Podcast. I am also the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. We provide speaking, training, consulting, and coaching services to organizations who believe in investing in their most valuable assets – their people. Whether we are leading a training workshop, speaking to a group, facilitating a planning meeting, consulting with a leadership team, helping with team building, writing or developing products, our vision will be clear in everything we do – We want to be Your Leadership Help Button. Learn more about our offerings: ➡️ FREE NEWSLETTERs: Sign up for any of our newsletters: https://kevineikenberry.com/newsletters ➡️ LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS: Sign up for any of our online workshops to help you become a better leader: https://kevineikenberry.com/store/?product_type=Workshops ➡️ SPEAKING: Learn more about our Speaking opportunities for your next event: https://kevineikenberry.com/how-we-can-help-speaking/  Connect with Kevin Eikenberry on Social Media:  https://kevineikenberry.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevineikenberry https://twitter.com/KevinEikenberry https://instagram.com/kevineikenberry https://www.facebook.com/KevinEikenberryFanPage/ About Kevin Eikenberry: Kevin Eikenberry is the Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group, a world expert on leadership development, best-selling author, sought-after speaker, popular blogger, husband and dad, a fan of Purdue athletics and antique tractors (especially John Deere's). About The Remarkable Leadership Podcast: The Remarkable Leadership Podcast with Kevin Eikenberry is dedicated to all things leadership. Twice a week Kevin shares his thoughts about leadership development and ideas to help you lead more confidently and make a bigger difference for those you lead. He also has weekly conversations with leadership experts discussing a wide range of topics including teamwork, organizational culture, facilitating change, personal and organizational development, human potential and more.  

How can leaders build better workplace culture by rethinking hybrid work? In this fourth episode of the culture mini-series, Kevin and Jennifer Moss look at how hybrid work habits are quietly shaping workplace culture in ways that undermine both people and performance, often without leaders realizing it. They argue that treating in-office and remote days identically is a missed opportunity and that leaders should design distinct expectations for each work context. They discuss why many employees feel frustrated by return-to-office mandates when the work itself hasn't changed, and how this disconnect erodes trust and motivation. The conversation highlights a simple shift leaders can make: use in-office days for collaboration, relationship-building, and shared experiences, while protecting remote days for focused, uninterrupted work. Jennifer's Story: Jennifer Moss specializes in future-focused leadership development, expertly balancing employee well-being with performance. As an award-winning writer and internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, she specializes in transforming workplace culture using data-driven leadership strategies. Her book The Burnout Epidemic tackled employee burnout and was among Thinkers50's "10 Best New Management Books for 2022." Her latest book is WHY ARE WE HERE?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants (Harvard Business Review Press; 2025) This Episode is brought to you by... Flexible Leadership is every leader's guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.  Book Recommendations Why Are We Here?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants by Jennifer Moss The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It by Jennifer Moss Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group