Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Episode 222

Released November 27, 2025

Audio Quality Note

Please note: Due to technical difficulties with the host's microphone during recording, Sue's audio quality is below our usual standard. We've chosen to release this episode despite these challenges because the conversation offers valuable insights that we believe are too important to delay. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

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Episode Overview

In this conversation, Swedish-born CEO and leadership coach Andreas Pettersson shares his transformative approach to leadership that prioritizes emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and sustainable success over relentless hustle culture. Drawing from his experience leading tech companies to successful exits and his work coaching executives across the globe, Andreas challenges conventional wisdom about what it takes to be an effective leader in today's business environment.

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Key Topics Discussed

Work-Life Harmony vs. Work-Life Balance

• Why the traditional 9-to-5 model no longer reflects modern work reality
• The concept of "work-life harmony" and flowing in and out of work naturally
• Breaking free from guilt about checking emails after hours
• Compartmentalizing effectively to reduce stress

Cultural Perspectives on Leadership

• Differences between European and American work cultures
• Why Europeans often achieve more in fewer hours
• The role of social safety nets in reducing fear-based motivation
• Adapting leadership styles across different cultural contexts

From Fear-Based to Abundance Mindset

• Moving beyond the "insecure overachiever" mentality
• Why imposter syndrome might be the wrong label
• The importance of recognizing your daily achievements
• Building genuine confidence through self-awareness

The Power of Emotional Intelligence

• Why growing people creates growing organizations
• Understanding your inner child's influence on leadership decisions
• The role of vulnerability as a leadership strength
• Developing curiosity about your own behavioral patterns

Sustainable High Performance

• Setting realistic daily expectations based on your unique strengths
• The practice of journaling wins to build momentum
• Why working harder isn't the same as working effectively
• Recognizing when you've "crushed it" and celebrating those moments

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Key Insights

"If you're not growing your people, you are not going to grow your organization."

"I think so many people let that insecure part be the narrative of who they were as a child. Instead, when you recognize that's what you're doing to yourself, you can change it."

"Vulnerability is a power. Once you can admit these things and you can talk about them, you are able to control yourself."

"It's not about the number of hours you put in. Europeans are more effective—it's a little bit less fluff and a little bit more 'let's get shit done.'"

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About Andreas Pettersson

Andreas is a Swedish entrepreneur and leadership coach based in California. After a successful career as a tech CEO, including a lucrative exit where he was asked to stay on for two years, Andreas chose to follow his passion for developing other leaders. Through his company, Leaders Adapt, he works with entrepreneurs and executives to help them build the emotional intelligence and self-awareness needed to lead effectively without burning out.

Andreas's approach combines his international business experience across Europe, Asia, and the United States with deep personal work on overcoming fear-based leadership patterns. His mission is to help leaders transition from insecure overachievers to confident, emotionally intelligent executives who achieve sustainable success.

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Connect with Andreas Pettersson

Instagram: @andreas.the.ceo (Andreas personally responds to all messages)
Website: Leaders Adapt
LinkedIn: Andreas Pettersson

Andreas welcomes questions and often responds with personalized voice memos. He also publishes leadership insights and solutions to common executive challenges on his blog.

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Coming Soon from Andreas

Andreas is developing free leadership kcourses based on his 12 core leadership principles, which is available on YouTube . These courses address the most common patterns and challenges he encounters when working with executives.

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Takeaways for Business Executives

1. Reframe your definition of productivity – Focus on delivering your unique value rather than maximizing hours worked

2. Develop your emotional intelligence – True leadership effectiveness comes from understanding yourself and adapting to others

3. Identify your inner narratives – Recognize when childhood conditioning or others' voices are driving your decisions

4. Celebrate your wins daily – Build momentum and confidence by acknowledging when you've "crushed it"

5. Embrace work-life harmony – Stop feeling guilty about natural work flow and focus on compartmentalizing effectively

6. Get curious about yourself – Self-awareness and vulnerability are strengths, not weaknesses

7. Shift from fear to abundance – Let your achievements build confidence rather than letting insecurity drive overwork