Starting Strong: Emotional Intelligence for a New Year


Dear Reader,

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Whole Leader Dispatch! Thank you for subscribing!

I want to take a moment to outline what a dispatch is and why reading the Whole Leader Dispatch is worth your time every two weeks.

A "dispatch" is traditionally a concise, authoritative communication sent from the field, often containing timely, relevant, and actionable information. It conveys a sense of urgency, importance, and purpose, offering insights or updates that are essential for the recipient.

For the Whole Leader Dispatch, this concept will be adapted to deliver thought-provoking, leadership-focused content that feels timely, relevant, and actionable for you. Each issue will serve as a "field report" from the frontlines of leadership development, offering insights, tools, and inspiration to help leaders grow holistically.

Specifically, I strive to bring you as much value as I can in a concise newsletter. You'll receive themed editions on a bi-weekly schedule. Each dispatch will contain helpful information for your to use in your leadership. Each edition will be organized like this:

  • An opening note with a personal message from me, Paula Shannon, founder of Whole Leader Lab
  • A field report sharing concise information on a specific leadership topic, trend, or challenge and some actionable advice or tools for you to apply in your own practice
  • A spotlight on a specific offering or service from Whole Leader Lab
  • A curated list of resources such as a leadership book recommendation, podcast episode, and practical tools or exercises for personal and team development
  • A space to engage with a success story from a client, a question to ponder, or a challenge to join

Thanks again for subscribing! I welcome your feedback on this first edition and all others.

A Personal Note

As we step into a new year, I’ve been reflecting on the power of intention and the critical role emotional intelligence plays in effective leadership. Over the years, I’ve come to deeply value the practice of setting clear intentions and cultivating self-awareness as the foundation for navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with leading others.

Leadership is about more than what we do; it’s about who we are and how we show up—for our teams, our organizations, and ourselves. The great news--science shows up how to develop our emotional intelligence.

Over the past week, I revisited my personal mission statement and core values, which continue to serve as my compass for decision-making and action. This reflection helped me refine my long-term vision and reaffirmed an essential truth: emotional intelligence (EI) is the cornerstone of exceptional leadership.

Today’s fast-paced and dynamic world demands that leaders not only manage complexity but also connect authentically, foster trust, and navigate emotions—both their own and those of others. Emotional intelligence isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for thriving in today’s leadership landscape.

To support you in developing emotional intelligence as a tool for intentional leadership, I’m excited to invite you to our upcoming live, virtual learning experience.

This free webinar, hosted by Whole Leader Lab, will explore the science of emotions, introduce a practical EI competency model, and provide actionable strategies to help you build resilience and lead with greater impact.

We will also share details about our Lead, Empower, and Thrive with EI cohort program, an opportunity to dive deeper into this transformative work. The first webinar is January 31. Sign up here.

Together, let’s make 2025 a year of intentional leadership and transformative impact. I look forward to continuing this journey with you in the upcoming issues of the Whole Leader Dispatch.

With gratitude,
Paula


Field Report: Leadership Insights

Why Emotional Intelligence is the Leadership Superpower for 2025

  • Read this Forbes article and learn more a groundbreaking study in the Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental journal. This study finds that leaders with high emotional intelligence create more favorable organizational cultures, drive higher job satisfaction, and foster stronger employee engagement.
  • Working on the emotional intelligence of your organization's leaders will provide a big return on investment if you are trying to:
    • create an inclusive culture that fosters a sense of belonging
    • increase employee engagement and connection
    • improve team collaboration and productivity
    • manage multi-generational workforces more effectively and meaningfully
    • improve customer service
    • increase sales performance
    • enhance job satisfaction and retain top talent
    • cultivate a positive environment to for a major change initiative

Spotlight on Whole Leader Lab Services: Lead, Empower, and Thrive with EI

Elevate your leadership skills with our Lead, Empower, Thrive with EI program, a transformative learning journey designed to enhance your emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness.

This instructor-led live virtual program consists of six 90-minute sessions, each focusing on a key emotional intelligence competency based on the Genos model.

Gain practical tools and strategies to improve self-awareness, empathy, resilience, authentic communication, and decision-making that support work in both in-person and virtual settings. We work in a hybrid world and must lead our teams in both settings.

Program participants also benefit from personalized insights through the Genos Emotional Intelligence Leadership Assessment and an interactive digital workbook. Learn more here.

The learning begins on February 28th, 2025, running on Fridays from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EST.

Register now to take advantage of the early bird rate ($1,500 per seat)!

Interested and want to learn more?

Join me on January 31st at 11:00 am CST for a FREE 45-minute webinar to explore the science of emotions, discover actionable emotional intelligence strategies, and learn more about this powerful learning cohort.

🔗Sign up here for the first webinar and take the first step toward enhancing your leadership potential!


Dispatch Toolkit

  • Paula’s Recommendations–
    • Book: No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien & Mollie West Duffy
    • Podcast: Mel Robbins Podcast, Episode 246: The One Tool to Transform Your Relationships: The Let Them Theory
    • Whole Leader Lab Tool: Aspire, Align, Achieve: A Life + Leadership Visioning & Goal Setting Guide - Try the process that Paula uses to stay motivated and focused. Download a copy of the guide here.

Connect & Engage

As you set your leadership goals for 2025, I encourage you to reflect on how emotional intelligence can enable you to create positive, lasting change in your organization and community.

What intentions will guide your actions this year?

How will you make space to develop your awareness of self and others?

Let's start a conversation.

Send me an email with your reflections and intentions - paula.shannon@wholeleaderlab.org


"Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe."

 

Oprah Winfrey · Leader, Advocate, Philanthropist

Whole Leader Dispatch

The Whole Leader Dispatch is ideal for leaders seeking to develop their emotional intelligence and leadership skills. Subscribers gain actionable insights, tools, and resources to lead with resilience, foster connection, and drive impact.

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