What if the very thing you’ve been taught to hide…
is actually your greatest strength?

For many men, emotions have been framed as something to control, suppress, or avoid—especially at work. Stay logical. Stay composed. Stay strong.
But underneath that message is something rarely acknowledged:

The pressure to disconnect—from your own experience, and from the people around you.

In this episode of The Leader in You, we open up an honest and necessary conversation about men and emotions in the workplace—not as a problem to fix, but as a pathway to stronger leadership, deeper connection, and real impact.

We explore:

• Why vulnerability has been misunderstood—and how it actually builds trust and respect
• What really happens when emotions are pushed down (and why they don’t stay there)
• The hidden cycle many men experience: holding it in, feeling alone, and then reacting in ways that don’t reflect who they truly are
• Why your nervous system is wired for connection—and why disconnection feels so intense
• How creating even a small moment of emotional safety can change everything in a conversation

You’ll hear real examples of what it looks like when someone moves from “I don’t do emotions” to feeling seen, heard, and understood—and how that shift transforms relationships at work.

This episode is not about becoming someone you’re not.
It’s about giving yourself permission to access something that’s already there.

Because vulnerability isn’t about losing control.
It’s about creating connection.

And in leadership—
connection is what changes everything.

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 dynamics, and workplace...

Workplace conflicts happen—but most leaders don’t know how to stop the cycle once it starts.

In this episode of The Leader in You, Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld explain how to beat the fight in four steps using the Emotional Connection (EmC) process.

Instead of escalating arguments or avoiding difficult conversations, leaders can guide teams through a structured process that helps people feel safe, understood, and connected—the foundation for real resolution.

In this conversation, you’ll learn how the four moves help leaders:

• Track the interactional pattern during conflict
• Clarify and organize the emotions driving reactions
• Facilitate bonding conversations between team members
• Create a corrective emotional experience that rebuilds trust

When people feel emotionally safe, the brain opens to collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving.

If you want to transform workplace fights into stronger working relationships, this episode will show you how.

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 dynamics, and workplace...

In this episode of The Leader in You, Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld welcome leadership consultant and author Aoife O’Brien to explore a powerful question facing many leaders today:

Is psychological safety enough — or do teams need something deeper to truly thrive?

Drawing from her book Thriving Talent, Aoife shares her insights from working with organizations struggling with burnout, disengagement, and misaligned workplace cultures. She explains why many leadership initiatives fail to create lasting change and how psychological safety plays a foundational role in building healthier teams.

Together, we explore the difference between psychological safety and emotional safety, how leaders unintentionally erode trust in everyday interactions, and what it takes to create workplaces where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and bring their full capabilities to their work.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why many workplaces struggle to retain and engage talent
• The hidden signs of low psychological safety in teams
• The leadership blind spots that quietly damage culture
• How leaders can create environments where people feel safe and challenged

If you’re a leader who wants to build stronger relationships, healthier team dynamics, and a workplace where people can truly thrive, this episode will give you powerful insights and practical inspiration.

Connect with Aoife O'Brien on LinkedIn

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 ...