Emotional Intelligence Matters. Learn how to build it.

Pavel Barta
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

As a management professor and an Expert in Emotional intelligence (Pavel Barta MBA, BSc in HRM), I use contemporary and verified science from various fields such as behavioral and positive psychology, neuroscience, social sciences, and management to design practice-based and immediately applicable strategies that grow performance and improve well-being. This podcast is based on my work/life experience and academic research. It explores the crucial role of emotional intelligence in achieving success. These programs aim to boost performance and well-being, resulting in improved leadership, stronger teams, and individual success. It is an evidence-based approach that focuses on immediate, tangible results. Therefore, it bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application in organisational and everyday life settings. I use AI to create podcasts based on the information I provide. Enjoy!

  1. MAY 16

    Emotional Self Awareness 101 – Low Energy, Unpleasant Emotions - Your Inner GPS

    Emotional Self Awareness 101 – Low Energy, Unpleasant Emotions Feeling Low? Here’s Why That’s Not Always a Bad Thing When someone asks, “How are you?” how ready are you to answer that truthfully? In today’s fast-paced world, most of us offer a polite “I’m fine” or “I’m okay” — but under the surface, our emotional landscape might be far more complex. One moment we might feel deflated, the next a bit lost, and by afternoon—utterly drained. Emotions: Your Built-In GPS We often think of emotions as distractions or obstacles, especially when they feel unpleasant or low-energy — like disappointment, sadness, or apathy. But here’s the truth: often, your emotions are trying to guide you. Think of them as your internal GPS. When we pause and listen to what we’re feeling — really feeling — we gain clarity. Just like a map and compass in an unfamiliar land, understanding your emotions helps you navigate life's challenges more effectively. The Power of Naming Emotions There’s a reason emotional vocabulary matters. Research shows that people who can identify and accurately name their emotions are more likely to manage them constructively. That means better decisions, healthier relationships, and stronger mental well-being. Try it: Are you “sad” — or are you feeling discouraged, lonely, defeated, or heartbroken? Naming it changes how you manage it. A Gentle Daily Practice Build the habit of checking in with yourself. Ask: How am I really feeling right now? What word best describes this feeling? What might this emotion be trying to tell me? Some examples: Emotion: Possible Thought - Possible Purpose Disappointed: Things do not go as well as I expected - Focus attention on something you want to change Insignificant: People don’t know or care about me - Challenge you to find your place Withdrawn: The world around me is not safe - Help you to recover your spent energy Lonely: People don’t reach out to me - Consider the strength of your relationships Sad: Something or someone has been taken from me something important Help you to recognize what you care about. Value of relationships. Discouraged: I seem not to get what I want - Challenge you to check your level of commitment Defeated: I have tried and lost again - Challenge you to face failure and learn Miserable: I have lost the trust of people that are important to me or I have just experienced something very difficult - Challenge you to confront a big problem Guilty: I have done something that violates my values. - Encourage you to change Grief-stricken: I have lost something/someone important in my life - Help you to recognize how much you love someone or something. Value of relationships. Suspicious: I don’t trust - Give you the desire to probe something Pessimistic This is not going to work out - Warn you about the problems ahead Betrayed: Feeling hurt as a result of being exposed by someone - Challenge the quality of your relationship Despaired: This is the end, I can’t go any further - Encourage you to reach out to others for support, find hope Burnt Out: Feeling exhausted, both mentally and physiologically - Show you that you need to recharge mentally and psychologically Inadequate: I am unable to deal with this - Help you to learn new skills Bored: I am not interested - Challenge you to find something meaningful Depressed: I am feeling deeply unhappy - Challenge you to find meaning, self-discovery, and self-discipline. Manage your mind and body, and reach out to others for help. Devastated: I do not see any options in my future - Challenge you to confront a failure Exhausted: I feel out of all energy, mental and physical - Take time to recharge your batteries Tired: I feel physically depleted - Consider renewal activity Lost: I do not know where I want to go - Focus attention on the next step, find clarity By doing this regularly, you build emotional clarity— a core part of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

    13 min

  2. MAY 9

    Emotional Self-Awareness 101: High-Energy and Pleasant Emotions – Your Inner GPS

    Emotional Self-Awareness 101: High-Energy and Pleasant Emotions – Your Inner GPS How are you doing? It’s a simple question, yet most of us rarely answer it honestly. More importantly, how often do we ask ourselves that same question and take the time to respond meaningfully? For many, exact emotions can feel like a foreign language—unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and difficult to name. But there’s good news: by improving our emotional vocabulary, we can begin to navigate life with greater clarity and purpose. One of the core functions of our emotions is to serve as internal signals—an intelligent guidance system that helps us interpret our experiences and decide how to respond. In many ways, emotions act like a personal GPS, pointing us toward what matters, alerting us to potential challenges and opportunities, and guiding our next steps with clarity and insight. Imagine being lost in a foreign country with no phone, map, or guide. You’d likely feel scared and confused. Now imagine finding a detailed map and a compass—you could orient yourself and find your way back. When we suppress or deny our feelings, we limit our ability to make sound decisions, impair our well-being, and stunt our personal growth. On the other hand, when we identify & understand them accurately, we increase our capacity to thrive. Speaking of Thriving, pleasant emotions, especially those with high energy, can improve resilience, enhance creative problem solving and brainstorming, increase our mental flexibility, and promote physiological and mental renewal. Below is a sample of a few high-energy, pleasant emotions and why they matter. Understanding the purpose behind your feelings allows you to work with them rather than against them. Confident: “I can meet my goals.” - Reinforces self-belief and perseverance Hopeful: “Things can improve.” - Fuels resilience in tough situations Joyful: “I’m living in alignment.” - Reminds you what’s truly important Inspired: “Excellence moves me.” - Motivates you to grow, create and change Valued: “I matter to others.” - Strengthens your sense of connection and purpose Accomplished: “I did this well.” - Builds energy and confidence for future challenges Courageous: “I can face this.” - Gives strength to tackle fear and uncertainty Curious: “I want to know more.” - Drives learning and innovation Awe: “Something bigger is happening.” - Refocuses your attention on the profound and meaningful Interested: “I have curiosity or concern about something or someone” - Helps you to gain energy and knowledge Optimistic: “I feel hopeful and confident about the future” - Gives you the energy to keep going Focused: “I am fully immersed in this” - Utilises your full physical and cognitive capacity How many high-energy, pleasant emotions can you accurately name and identify in yourself? To learn more about emotional awareness, listen to this Free Podcast!

    14 min

  3. MAY 4

    EQ: Unlocking the Predictive Brain for Performance and Well-being

    EQ: Unlocking the Predictive Brain for Performance and Well-being - Podcast In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, success is no longer just about what you know—it’s increasingly about how you feel, think, and relate. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) isn’t just a leadership buzzword or a "soft skill." It’s a critical competency for navigating life and work with resilience, clarity, and connection. Emotions: The Pulse of Human Performance Emotions are not just fleeting feelings—they are the invisible force behind every decision, interaction, and behavior. Whether we’re negotiating a deal, handling stress, or supporting a colleague, our emotional responses shape the outcomes. This is why understanding and developing emotional intelligence is so powerful. EQ involves the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions—our own and others’. It's about using emotions as data to guide thinking and behavior. And in our increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, this ability is not just helpful—it’s strategic. EQ is Not a Luxury—It’s a Survival Skill The Harvard Business Review put it plainly: emotional intelligence is not optional. When crisis hits or pressure mounts, EQ becomes the tool that separates those who lead effectively from those who fall apart. In fact, 75% of challenges leaders face are people-related—not technical. Low EQ manifests in disengaged teams, missed opportunities, conflict, and rising stress levels. Only 20% of individuals and teams reach their full potential, and what is deeply worrying, Emotional intelligence has been declining globally, especially in terms of optimism about the future! Your Brain Predicts—But You Can Rewire It One of the most groundbreaking insights from neuroscience is that emotions are not fixed responses. They are constructions—predictions your brain makes based on past experiences and current context. Your brain is a prediction machine, constantly shaping your reality in advance. This is called allostasis, and it’s more efficient than reacting after the fact (homeostasis). Here’s the empowering part: the brain can relearn. Through new experiences, language, physical movement, and reflection, we can retrain the brain’s predictions and emotional habits. This is neuroplasticity. You are not locked into stress, reactivity, or burnout. You can reshape how you experience the world. The ROI of EQ: A Better Life and Better Business When individuals and organizations invest in emotional intelligence, the benefits are measurable and transformational: Higher productivity, Stronger leadership, Reduced absenteeism and turnover, Greater well-being, Healthier relationships, More resilient, collaborative teams. Empowerment EQ is not about suppressing emotions. It’s about understanding them, using them wisely, and reprogramming the mind for better outcomes. As neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett puts it, “You are the architect of your own experience.” When we become more emotionally intelligent, we don’t just become better and more successful employees or leaders. We become more human—more connected, adaptable, and fulfilled. For more details, listen to the FREE podcast!

    22 min

  4. APR 18

    Tame the impostor Voice Within – Practical Strategies

    Imposter Voices Mind-reading - Believing you know what others are thinking, usually negatively, without evidence. • Example (Meeting): "My colleague sighed during my presentation. He must think my ideas are boring and unoriginal." (Instead of considering he might be tired, stressed about another project, or simply breathing). Labeling - Assigning broad, negative, fixed labels to yourself based on a single mistake or perceived shortcoming. • Example (Learning): "I didn't understand that concept in the training immediately. I'm just slow and not cut out for this field." (Instead of "This concept is complex, and I need more time or a different explanation to grasp it"). Catastrophising - Expecting the absolute worst-case scenario to happen as a result of a minor setback or mistake. • Example (Challenge): "This project is much harder than I expected. I'm going to fail, let the whole team down, and ruin my reputation." (Instead of "This project is challenging; I may need to ask for help or adjust the timeline"). Unfair Comparison - Selectively comparing yourself to others, focusing on areas where you perceive them as better and ignoring your own strengths or their potential struggles. • Example (Colleague): "Look at how easily Jane handles client calls. She's so naturally charismatic and confident, unlike me. I always stumble over my words." (Ignoring Jane's preparation, experience, or areas where she might struggle). All or Nothing (also called Black-and-White Thinking or Perfectionism) - Seeing things in absolute terms; if it's not perfect, it's a complete failure. • Example (Performance): "I got great feedback on my presentation overall, but I mispronounced one technical term and forgotten another point. The entire presentation was ruined." (Instead of seeing it as a largely successful presentation with a minor flaw). Discounting the Positive / Externalizing Success - Dismissing achievements or positive feedback by attributing them to external factors rather than personal ability. • Example (Getting Hired/Accepted): "I only got this job/spot because they needed to fill the quota, or maybe the other candidates weren't very good." (Attributes achievement to factors other than own merit). Magnification of Flaws / Minimization of Strengths - Specifically focuses on blowing mistakes out of proportion while downplaying genuine skills or successes. • Example (Receiving Compliment): Someone praises your efficiency. Thought: "They only see the finished product. They don't know how much I struggled or how close I came to missing the deadline. My efficiency is just an illusion." (Focuses on the difficult process, minimizing the successful outcome/skill). Fear of Exposure / Being "Found Out" - A persistent anxiety that your perceived incompetence will be discovered. • Example (Asking a Question): "I want to ask for clarification on that point, but if I do, everyone in the meeting will realize I haven't fully grasped the basics, and they'll know I'm not qualified to be here." (Fear that asking reveals fundamental incompetence). The Need to Overwork / Overcompensation - Feeling the need to work much harder than others to prove worthiness, often linked to perfectionism and fear of exposure. • Example (Learning): "Everyone else seems to understand this new process already. I need to stay late tonight and study the manual intensely, so I don't fall behind or look foolish tomorrow." (Putting in extra hidden effort to keep up appearances). Emotional Reasoning - Assuming that because you feel inadequate or like a fraud, it must be true. • Example (Social Gathering): "I feel really awkward and tongue-tied at this networking event. It must be obvious to everyone that I don't fit in and have nothing interesting to contribute." (Assuming internal feelings of awkwardness are externally visible and reflect reality).

    18 min

  5. APR 11

    Taming the Impostor Within: A Reminder for (not only) Every High Achiever

    Taming the Impostor Within: A Reminder for (not only) Every High Achiever Yes - you can be competent and still doubt yourself. Impostor Syndrome is more common than you might think. Whether you identify as a high-achiever, a professional stepping into a new or challenging role, a perfectionist, or someone shaped by past criticism or negative feedback, there’s a good chance impostor thoughts have shown up at some point on your journey — and they might show up again. I recently pulled together an article titled “Taming the Impostor Within,” where I explore what impostor syndrome really is and share tools to fight back. Here are a few insights I found worth sharing: What is Impostor Syndrome? It often shows up with these recurring patterns: • Persistent feelings of inadequacy – The belief that you're not as capable as others think, even when there’s plenty of evidence to the contrary. • Fear of being exposed as a fraud – Anxiety that people will “find out” you’re not really as skilled or intelligent as you appear. • Attributing success to external factors – Brushing off your achievements as luck, good timing, or help from others rather than your own effort. • Internalizing failure – Using mistakes or setbacks as proof that you’re not good enough. • Perfectionism and overworking – Trying to compensate through excessive effort, often leading to stress and burnout. • Discounting compliments and praise – Feeling like any recognition is unearned or insincere. • Chronic anxiety and self-doubt – Living under the pressure to constantly perform and never be “found out.” How Does It Manifest? What is your internal voice that fuels it? • Mind-reading: Assuming others are thinking negatively about you without any real evidence. • Labeling: Calling yourself a failure or incompetent based on a single mistake. • Catastrophizing: Believing one small misstep will lead to disaster. • Unfair comparison: Measuring yourself against others while ignoring your own strengths. • All-or-nothing thinking: If it’s not perfect, it’s worthless. • Discounting the positive: Dismissing praise or success as flukes or undeserved. • Magnifying flaws / Minimizing strengths: Focusing on your shortcomings and ignoring your capabilities. • Fear of being “found out”: Constant worry that people will discover you’re not as good as they think. • Overworking and overcompensating: Feeling the need to prove your worth by doing more than everyone else. • Emotional reasoning: “I feel like a fraud — so I must be one.” • “Should” statements: Holding yourself to unrealistic expectations, then feeling guilty when you fall short. If you’d like to explore what you can do to tame the impostor within you, check out the free podcast called: Taming the Impostor Within.

    35 min

  6. MAR 20

    Increase Your Productivity through Self-Awareness

    This podcast delves into the power of cultivating self-awareness as a catalyst for boosting productivity and fostering personal growth. It urges listeners to face uncomfortable emotions head-on rather than sidestepping them, prompting an honest assessment of whether they tend to suppress their feelings or dwell on them excessively. The discussion contrasts the transformative potential of a growth mindset with the limitations of a fixed mindset, illustrating how our beliefs about our abilities shape our accomplishments. Additionally, it emphasizes the value of soliciting feedback from others to uncover insightful external perspectives on our strengths and areas for improvement. To sustain progress, the podcast advocates for regular self-reflection exercises, offering practical strategies to nurture continuous development.

    17 min

  7. MAR 12

    Master Your Sleep Guide

    Struggling with Insomnia? Master Your Sleep with This Podcast! Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, unable to shut off your mind? You’re not alone. Most of us have been there. Insomnia affects millions, quietly draining energy, productivity, and overall well-being. Why Sleep is Non-Negotiable: Getting quality sleep isn’t just about feeling well-rested. It supercharges your: · Mood & Emotional Balance · Cognitive Function & Concentration · Immune System Strength · Productivity & Creativity · Physical Appearance & Overall Well-Being Yet, too many of us fall into the insomnia trap. The consequences? · Brain Fog & Memory Issues · Increased Stress & Anxiety · Weakened Immunity, Slower Recovery (+ other Healh Issues) · Weight Gain & Hormonal Imbalances · Career Burnout & Reduced Performance The Hidden Causes of Insomnia Sure, stress and genetics play a role, but did you know your reaction to sleeplessness can make it worse? · Worrying About Not Sleeping – Anxiety over insomnia fuels a vicious cycle. · Trying Too Hard – Forcing sleep often backfires. · Negative Associations – If your bed = stress, your brain won’t relax. Join us on the Master Your Sleep Guide podcast, where we dive deep into how to manage our sleep. Your best nights (and most productive days) start with mastering your sleep.

    22 min

  8. FEB 25

    Self Awareness - Understanding & Regulating Emotions

    In this episode, we explore the power of emotional self-regulation and how understanding our feelings can lead to better self-management. We discuss the importance of self-awareness in identifying emotional triggers, distinguishing between helpful and harmful emotions, and managing stress effectively. Listeners will learn how to reflect on their emotions, uncover their root causes, and use this insight to foster resilience and well-being. The episode also highlights the role of positive influences and activities in promoting happiness. Ultimately, emotions are framed as valuable data that can guide personal growth and improved decision-making.

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

As a management professor and an Expert in Emotional intelligence (Pavel Barta MBA, BSc in HRM), I use contemporary and verified science from various fields such as behavioral and positive psychology, neuroscience, social sciences, and management to design practice-based and immediately applicable strategies that grow performance and improve well-being. This podcast is based on my work/life experience and academic research. It explores the crucial role of emotional intelligence in achieving success. These programs aim to boost performance and well-being, resulting in improved leadership, stronger teams, and individual success. It is an evidence-based approach that focuses on immediate, tangible results. Therefore, it bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application in organisational and everyday life settings. I use AI to create podcasts based on the information I provide. Enjoy!

Information

  • Creator
    Pavel Barta
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    14

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