S9-Ep33: The Human Energy Crisis at Work

Guest: Joshua Freedman Gallup and other surveys are showing employee disengagement at record highs. The human energy crisis is at its root. This energy crisis isn’t due to staff skipping breakfast and coffee in the morning; it’s the result of stunningly low emotional intelligence (or EQ) with American bosses. We can’t answer it by becoming more like Vulcans; the lack of emphasis on emotional intelligence is causing strained relationships, reduced collaboration, toxic work atmospheres, disengagement, and mental health issues. Fortunately, Joshua Freedman of Six Seconds has solutions. In this episode, he helps you discover how prioritizing emotional intelligence can bring about a transformative shift in your organization’s success…and its profitability. Here's what Joshua and host Maureen Metcalf cover: The integral role trust plays in creating robust teams and sustainable success; The correlation between emotional intelligence and higher performance (we’re talking 22 times higher!); and The surprising real cause of burnout – it’s not overwork!   LANGUAGE ADVISORY: The term “s**t show” appears twice at (33:25). We retained it here because of the phrase’s common usage in many American workplaces. Other episodes you'll enjoy: Getting Lost in the Language of Leadership with Jonathan Reams Lead Responsibly: An Absolut with Ann Mukherjee Working and Living in Joy with Pamela Larde   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter, too! RESOURCES:   The website for Joshua’s company, Six Seconds, is https://www.6seconds.org. He’s a prolific writer, too! Just a few of his books on emotional intelligence include: At the Heart of Leadership: How to Get Results with Emotional Intelligence (Paperback = https://amzn.to/44ReiIr or Kindle = https://amzn.to/3OlJ0T9) Whole-Hearted Parenting: How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Create More Peace, Connection, and Joy (Paperback = https://amzn.to/3qjDJmT or Kindle = https://amzn.to/3qgPWsM) and Inside Change: Transforming Your Organization with Emotional Intelligence with Massimiliano Ghini (Paperback = https://amzn.to/3QgzGCC or Kindle = https://amzn.to/3OgM2YU)   Here’s the article on the human energy crisis from Kathleen Hogan, Microsoft’s Chief People Officer, which Joshua mentioned:  https://www.fastcompany.com/90872995/microsoft-chief-people-officer-we-are-experiencing-a-global-human-energy-crisis.   And here is the US Surgeon General’s framework for workplace mental health and well-being:  https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/workplace-well-being/index.html.   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor: Luigi Morelli Holding a Gamut of Positive Emotions: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox CONNECT WITH US:  Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  Mastodon: @InnoLeader  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Joshua is the author of books, articles, case studies, and psychometric assessments related to emotional intelligence (EQ). He’s a Master Certified Coach (ICF) and the CEO and cofounder of Six Seconds, the global community for EQ. Six Seconds is the world’s first & largest network of emotional intelligence practitioners and researchers with 25 offices globally. As a consultant, facilitator, or coach, Joshua's clients include FedEx, Intel, Etihad Airways, Amazon, Microsoft, the UN, and all branches of the US armed services. Jo