What happens when leadership feels overwhelming, disconnected, or quietly empty—even when success looks strong from the outside?

In this episode of The Leader in You, we’re joined by Susan M. Taylor, CEO of Generon International and founder of Taylored Wisdom, for a powerful conversation about transforming leadership turmoil into deeper purpose, alignment, and connection.

Together, we explore why leadership can lose its meaning over time—and how renewal begins not by reinventing ourselves, but by reconnecting to what matters most. Susan shares how authentic alignment helps leaders move from exhaustion and pressure into inspired, purpose-driven action.

This conversation dives into the emotional realities leaders rarely talk about:

• The moment when work that once energized you starts to feel draining
• The difference between hustle and inspired action
• Why we say yes when we want to say no
• How fear of disconnection shapes leadership decisions
• The role of emotional safety in rebuilding trust and culture
• Why clarity and honest dialogue are essential for repairing fractured teams

We also explore the deeper human drivers of leadership—mattering, belonging, purpose, and connection—and how psychological safety is something leaders and teams create together.

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and ask:
Where might current leadership challenges actually be pointing you toward greater purpose?

If you’re navigating change, burnout, misalignment, or culture disruption, this conversation will help you reframe turmoil as a signal—not a failure—and show you how secure leadership is built through emotional connection with yourself and others.

Connect with Susan Taylor on LinkedIn

Visit her website - TayloredWisdom.com

Register for her next in-person session here.

The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where you can thrive.

Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
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YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
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EMC MASTER CLASS
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Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Connect with Polina Marian:

LinkedIn: Polina Marian
Instagram: @livewithfivekids

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team ...

In this episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina unpack the real reason people feel “so sensitive” at work—and why it’s not a flaw, weakness, or lack of professionalism.

What we often label as sensitivity is actually the activation of emotional raw spots—deep relational sensitivities formed through past experiences of exclusion, being ignored, devalued, or feeling unsafe with people we depended on. These raw spots don’t disappear when we enter the workplace. They get triggered in everyday moments and quietly drive overreactions, withdrawal, defensiveness, and escalating conflict.

In this conversation, you’ll learn how raw spots develop, why they accumulate over time, and how they pull teams into negative cycles that undermine trust and performance. Dr. Lola explains how raw spots show up differently for pursuers and withdrawers—and how recognizing them allows leaders and L&D professionals to respond with empathy instead of judgment.

When raw spots are named and met with care, emotional safety grows, reactions soften, and connection becomes possible again.

The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where you can thrive.

Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Connect with Polina Marian:

LinkedIn: Polina Marian
Instagram: @livewithfivekids

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team ...

As the new year begins, many leaders set bold resolutions—yet struggle to create change that truly lasts. In this episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina explore one simple but powerful micro-habit that can fundamentally transform leadership: slowing down in moments of emotional intensity.

Rather than focusing on productivity hacks or self-improvement routines, this conversation dives into what really shapes leadership effectiveness—how we respond when emotions run high. Dr. Lola explains that most leadership breakdowns happen not because leaders lack intelligence or skill, but because they lose emotional balance in moments of stress, conflict, or urgency.

Using relatable metaphors from Argentine tango, yoga, and real-world leadership conversations, this episode shows how “slowing down” is not about doing less—it’s about holding your balance, staying emotionally present, and creating safety for others when it matters most.

Listeners will learn:

• What “slowing down” actually means in conversations with employees, colleagues, and teams
• How emotional reactivity and anxiety disrupt leadership balance
• Why the urge to fix, advise, or control often escalates conflict
• A set of simple, repeatable phrases leaders can use daily to create emotional safety
• How validation, reassurance, and presence unlock flexibility, trust, and collaboration

This micro-habit—pausing to acknowledge, validate, and emotionally tune in—helps leaders regulate themselves, de-escalate difficult interactions, and strengthen relationships over time. It’s a small shift with profound impact.

If you’re entering the new year wanting to lead with more clarity, confidence, and connection—this episode offers a grounded, human, and immediately usable starting point.

The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where you can thrive.

Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.

CONNECT:
EmC Leaders
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube Channel

RESOURCES:
TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
EMC MASTER CLASS
CONTACT US

Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Connect with Polina Marian:

LinkedIn: Polina Marian
Instagram: @livewithfivekids

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team ...