What can the Pixar movie Inside Out teach leaders about management? A lot!

In this episode of "Leaders' Playground," we dive deep into the emotional landscape. A whirlwind of emotions can hit in a single day—fear, joy, sadness, and everything in between. By understanding those emotions, we can transform our leadership style.

We unpack the science of emotions, drawing on the groundbreaking research of psychologists like Paul Ekman, Dacher Keltner, and Lisa Feldman Barrett. Discover how emotional awareness not only enhances personal well-being but also boosts team dynamics, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

As much as we might wish to shove emotions into a jar and pretend they don't exist, emotional intelligence can turn work into a far more enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Resources:

• Inside Out 1 trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUAzGQ3nSY
• Inside Out 2 trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEjhY15eCx0
• Plutchik’s Feelings Wheel and how to use it https://positivepsychology.com/emotion-wheel/
• Brené Brown’s list of emotions to expand emotional vocabulary https://brenebrown.com/resources/atlas-of-the-heart-list-of-emotions/
• Emotions Revealed by Paul Ekman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156462.Emotions_Revealed
• Awe by Dacher Keltner https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62352297-awe
• How many emotions are there? This article explores the latest research. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_many_different_human_emotions_are_there
• Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58330567-atlas-of-the-heart
• How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23719305-how-emotions-are-made
• Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26329.Emotional_Intelligence
• Some data on how EQ matters https://www.fastcompany.com/90614212/iq-vs-eq-in-the-workplace
• Alisa Yu’s work at Stanford on why it pays to notice emotions https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/all-feels-why-it-pays-notice-emotions-workplace
• Mark Fenton-O’Creevy on the impact of emotions on picking stocks https://oro.open.ac.uk/31984/4/JOB-08-0440-pre-publication.pdf

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

The other day, my husband and I were looking at the impact of a recent heat wave on the trees near our property. Some trees were doing okay, others were dying. Why? We consider access to resources, the type of tree, the amount of shade, but ultimately, I think it comes down to the connection between trees -- whether they're all alone in a field or in relationship with others.

Just as trees thrive in connected communities, so do we as humans. The Harvard Study of Adult Development shows that connectedness is key to health and happiness. There's lots of other data as well from workplaces and neighborhoods. In this episode, I’ll share practical strategies for deepening your relationships and building a supportive network, both at work and in your personal life. Join me to explore how nurturing our social ecosystems can make a real difference.

Resources:

• Consider joining my Leadership circle and find connection of your own: https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-circle
• Read all about the Harvard Study of Adult Development: https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/
• A National Geographic article with new developments on plant communication: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plants-can-talk-yes-really-heres-how
• A lovely in depth article in Smithsonian on how trees communicate: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering-trees-180968084/
• Suzanne Simard’s TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/suzanne_simard_how_trees_talk_to_each_other/up-next?subtitle=en
• Gallup Q12 has a lovely explanation for the best friend at work question in their survey: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/397058/increasing-importance-best-friend-work.aspx
• Read Richard Sampson’s book, The Great American City for more on the importance of social cohesion in neighborhoods: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/G/bo5514383.html
• Check out Episode 4 where I talk about collective effervescence: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

Join me, Irene Salter, as I reflect on a serene visit to Arima Onsen, one of Japan's oldest and most charming hot springs. I'll describe how the tranquil waters and peaceful ambiance offered a profound sense of relaxation and inspired a deep dive into mindfulness.

In this episode, I’ll guide you through a centering meditation, dive into the neuroscience of mindfulness, and offer practical tips on how to bring the peace of a hot spring back to work, a moment of calm amidst life’s chaos. Tune in to explore how soaking in tranquility—whether through a hot spring or mindfulness practice—can renew your mind, body, and soul.

Resources:

• This article in NPR was the one that led me to the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://www.npr.org/2021/12/21/1066585316/mindfulness-meditation-with-john-kabat-zinn
• Jon Kabat-Zinn’s website: https://jonkabat-zinn.com/
• For a fantastic, and fairly accessible review of your brain on mindfulness meditation, see this article in Nature Neuroscience: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn3916
• But if you want a one-page infographic of your brain when centered, head to my podcast page to find that resource. Or better yet, subscribe to my newsletter and get beautiful illustrations of your mind on beauty, awe, adventure, and much more: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast
• If you’d like to access this episode’s centering meditation directly, you can download the audiofile at: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast
• Or try one of many many others on my favorite mindfulness app, Buddify: https://buddhify.com/
• Episode 10 - Time confetti, goes more deeply into the default mode network: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast
• Here’s the onsen that I went to visit in Arima: https://www.arima-gh.jp/en/

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast