Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Emotional Intelligence

Welcome back to the Illustrating Leadership Podcast! In today's episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Yvonne Caputo, a psychotherapist, corporate trainer, consultant, and the brilliant mind behind two captivating books, "Flying With Dad: A Daughter. A Father. And the Hidden Gifts in His Stories from World War II" and "Dying with Dad: Tough Talks for Easier Endings." Join us as we jump into Yvonne's wealth of experience, exploring the profound leadership lessons she gained throughout her diverse career.

A Multifaceted Leader

Yvonne kicks off the conversation by offering a glimpse into her multifaceted background. With a master's degree in Education and Clinical Psychology, she brings a unique blend of expertise to the table, making her journey through teaching, heading the Human Resource Department, and eventually becoming an accomplished author a fascinating one.

The discussion unfolds as Yvonne fondly reminisces about the best boss she ever had. A pivotal figure in her career, this leader stood out for her emphasis on emotional intelligence in the realm of leadership. Yvonne passionately advocates for the significance of emotional intelligence, citing it as the driving force behind organizational success.

Observant Leadership

In this segment, Yvonne unveils her boss's exceptional observation skills, narrating a personal story that underscores the boss's reminder about punctuality. Trust emerges as a key theme, highlighting the mutual trust and understanding that characterized the leader-subordinate relationship.

Emotional Intelligence in Crisis Management

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Yvonne dissects her boss's role in debriefing after traumatic workplace events. The boss's compassionate approach during personal crises serves as a testament to the leader's unwavering support during challenging times.

 

Exploring the concept of intra and interpersonal competence, Yvonne advocates for leaders to acquire essential people skills through coaching. She recommends practical guidance from the book "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" for those on the leadership journey.

Learning and Growing

In this segment, Yvonne encourages leaders to seek coaching for continuous learning, recognizing that people skills can be honed over time. The importance of knowing and connecting with team members is emphasized, echoing the wisdom shared by successful leaders.

As the conversation winds down, Yvonne provides insights into her books, "Flying with Dad" and "Dying with Dad." She reflects on how her career path, characterized by observation, questioning, and research, seamlessly led her to become a published author in retirement.

In concluding this enriching episode, Yvonne leaves aspiring leaders with a powerful reminder. True leadership, she asserts, resides in the ability to relate to and genuinely care for people. The key to inspiring others to work hard lies in fostering authentic connections.

Connect with Yvonne

Discover Yvonne's literary works and connect with her through the links above and on Facebook. 

 

Your host, Jessica Wright, is the Founder and Career Transformation Coach at Wright Life Coaching, LLC. Have you ever found your unhappiness at work seeping into the rest of your life? Through one-on-one coaching, Jessica helps you make a decision about whether you want to stay at your current job and turn it into a more fulfilling place to be- or go and find new work that you love and pays what you want. She is then with you through the implementation of whatever you decide you you can create a much more joyful life. 

 

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