The Leader in You

Connect your people; transform you culture. With Dr. Lola Gershfeld
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

The Leader in You podcast is brought to you by EmC Leaders, helping companies to master the art of relationships so they can spend less time on people issues and more time accomplishing their most important goals.  We combine the science of attachment and emotional connection with insight from the last 20 years to overcome workplace conflict issues, build strong team relationships, and create a connected culture.Your hosts, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian.

  1. 3D AGO

    82. When Positive Thinking Fails

    What if “just think positive” is actually keeping you stuck? In this powerful and slightly controversial episode of The Leader in You, we unpack a viral positive-thinking challenge that promises life change in seven days — no complaining, no criticizing, only positivity. Sounds inspiring… but does it really work? Drawing on neuroscience, attachment science, and real workplace stories, Dr. Lola and Polina explore why positive thinking alone cannot override emotional triggers, relational disconnection, or negative cycles at work. When the amygdala is activated, and emotional safety is threatened, the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for clear, rational thinking — goes offline. And no amount of forced positivity can fix that. You’ll discover: Why suppressing “negative” emotions actually shuts down positive ones tooHow emotional disconnection fuels workplace conflictWhy avoiding complaints creates deeper relational fracturesWhat the Negative Cycle looks like in teamsA powerful 7-day challenge that replaces toxic positivity with emotional awarenessIf you’ve ever tried to “stay positive” while feeling hurt, dismissed, or disconnected — this episode will resonate deeply. Because real change doesn’t come from thinking differently.  It comes from connecting differently. Listen in — and learn how to shift from forced positivity to secure, emotionally connected leadership. 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 ...

    33 min

  2. FEB 18

    81. Success in Vulnerability

    Why is vulnerability so often seen as weakness—especially at work? And what if it’s actually the key to movement, motivation, and lasting success? In this episode, Dr. Lola and Polina build on their previous conversation about the basics of the EmC process and dive deeper into one of the most misunderstood leadership strengths: vulnerability. You’ll learn: The difference between withdrawers and pursuers—and how their negative cycle fuels disconnectionWhy we are biologically wired for emotional connectionHow society trained us to suppress emotions in the workplaceWhat vulnerability actually looks like in a professional settingHow sharing emotion safely creates empathy, reassurance, and engagementWhy vulnerability is the doorway to Stage 2 of the EmC process—healing, bonding, and repairWhen leaders suppress emotion, teams get stuck. When leaders access and share vulnerability in a regulated, professional way, they create safety—and safety creates movement. This episode reframes vulnerability not as emotional exposure, but as emotional clarity. Not as weakness, but as relational courage. Because we are not robots. We are wired for connection. And success begins when we stop shutting down—and start showing up. 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 ...

    24 min

  3. FEB 13

    80. When Silence Becomes a Lawsuit - The Hidden Cost of Manager Avoidance

    What happens when a manager doesn’t respond to an employee’s text? When a request is ignored? When “we’re just here to do a job” becomes the culture? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with employment attorney Hanna Ranaan, who has represented both employees and employers and now serves as in-house counsel for a publicly traded company. She gives us a rare inside look at how small moments of avoidance can spiral into miscommunication, discipline, termination—and costly litigation. We explore: How unresponsiveness creates a domino effect of negative assumptionsWhy managers are legally considered agents of the companyHow misunderstandings escalate into lawsuits costing $40,000–$300,000 in defense fees aloneThe hidden cost of turnover and preventable separationsWhy employees often don’t report concerns—even when companies create formal channelsThe resistance HR professionals have to “bringing emotions into work”And why emotional connection isn’t about being “touchy-feely”—it’s about creating secure, responsive relationships that reduce legal exposureHanna shares real-world examples of how five seconds of responsiveness can prevent months of frustration—and how respect in the workplace is not just a cultural value, but a safety issue. This episode bridges two worlds: legal risk management and emotional safety. Because when managers avoid difficult conversations, silence communicates something—and the consequences are rarely small. If you’re a leader, HR professional, or manager who wants to reduce conflict, prevent escalation, and create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up—this conversation is for you. 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 ...

    39 min

  4. FEB 5

    79. Love Is in the Air - Why Emotional Connection Changes Everything at Work

    As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re talking about something we don’t discuss nearly enough—love, emotional connection, and why they matter so deeply in our work and relationships. In this episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina explore the simplicity of the Emotional Connection (EmC) process and why reconnecting emotionally changes everything—from how clearly we think, to how effectively we work, to how supported we feel in our relationships. When we’re disconnected, even simple tasks feel exhausting. Our minds feel cluttered. Our energy drops. But when emotional connection is restored, clarity returns, motivation rises, and relationships soften. Dr. Lola shares a personal story that illustrates how quickly reconnection can shift our emotional and mental state—and why emotional safety is the foundation for productivity, collaboration, and trust. You’ll hear: Why emotional disconnection is so draining at workHow emotional connection brings us out of our heads and back into our heartsWhy the EmC process works because it’s simple, experiential, and humanHow reconnection creates corrective emotional experiences that repair trustWhy leaders, trainers, and teams need a clear process—not just communication tipsThis conversation is a reminder that emotional connection isn’t extra, soft, or optional—it’s essential. And when we learn how to guide ourselves and others through emotional experiences with care, we create more clarity, resilience, and yes—more love—at work and beyond.  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 ...

    31 min

  5. JAN 29

    78. Turning Leadership Turmoil Into Purpose

    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 drainingThe difference between hustle and inspired actionWhy we say yes when we want to say noHow fear of disconnection shapes leadership decisionsThe role of emotional safety in rebuilding trust and cultureWhy clarity and honest dialogue are essential for repairing fractured teamsWe 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 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 ...

    42 min

  6. JAN 22

    77. The Real Reason You’re So Sensitive at Work

    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 ...

    25 min

  7. JAN 7

    76. New YEAR micro Habit that will change your leadership

    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 teamsHow emotional reactivity and anxiety disrupt leadership balanceWhy the urge to fix, advise, or control often escalates conflictA set of simple, repeatable phrases leaders can use daily to create emotional safetyHow validation, reassurance, and presence unlock flexibility, trust, and collaborationThis 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 ...

    33 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    75. Through Tragedy Came Light - A Personal Interview with Dr. Lola

    Some leadership frameworks are born in classrooms.  Others are born in suffering. In this deeply personal episode of The Leader in You Podcast, Dr. Lola shares the story behind the Emotional Connection (EmC) process—a journey shaped by years of workplace conflict, disconnection, and emotional pain, and ultimately transformed into a path of healing, clarity, and hope. Rather than offering another set of leadership tips or behavior-change techniques, this conversation explores what actually happens to us under pressure, why so many leadership and conflict-resolution programs fail when emotions run high, and how emotional connection became the missing piece. In this intimate interview, you’ll hear: How prolonged workplace suffering led to the creation of the EmC processWhy logic and skills break down during conflict and stressWhat attachment science and neuroscience reveal about leadership under pressureHow emotional safety restores balance, trust, and performanceWhy anyone—not just those with formal authority—can bring light into a struggling teamThis episode is especially meaningful for internal trainers, HR professionals, and L&D/O&D leaders who work with leaders and teams in distress and are searching for approaches that create lasting change—not just short-term relief. This is a conversation about tragedy, resilience, and the quiet power of emotional connection to bring light back into our work, our relationships, and ourselves. 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 ...

    29 min
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Leader in You podcast is brought to you by EmC Leaders, helping companies to master the art of relationships so they can spend less time on people issues and more time accomplishing their most important goals.  We combine the science of attachment and emotional connection with insight from the last 20 years to overcome workplace conflict issues, build strong team relationships, and create a connected culture.Your hosts, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian.

Information

  • Creator
    Connect your people; transform you culture. With Dr. Lola Gershfeld
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Leader in You
  • Show Website
    The Leader in You