In this episode, Jen is joined by Steve Friedlein to explore the challenge of “daring to trust.” Trust can be fragile, and rebuilding it—whether we were the cause of the breakdown or someone else was—often requires courage and self-reflection. Rather than focusing on what others should do differently, the conversation emphasizes taking responsibility for our own behaviors that build or erode trust.

Drawing on insights from The Speed of Trust, Jen and Steve discuss how trust is built on two key pillars: character and competence. It’s not enough to have good intentions—people must also demonstrate reliability and capability over time. They also examine common “trust traps” like gossip, assumptions, avoidance, and bypassing others in communication, all of which can quietly undermine relationships.

The episode highlights how trust is rebuilt through small, everyday interactions—micro moments of honesty, feedback, and follow-through. While trust can break quickly, restoring it requires patience, consistency, and the willingness to have difficult conversations.

Whether at work or at home, rebuilding trust often begins with a simple but courageous step: daring to start the conversation.

#trust #podcast #leadership #conflict #ego #EQ #emotionalintelligence

In this episode of Ego vs EQ & You, Jen Shirkani and co-host Steve Friedlein explore a common leadership dilemma: Can you adapt your behavior to others without losing your authenticity?

Through practical examples and coaching insights, they unpack the tension between being “true to yourself” and using emotional intelligence to read the room. The conversation highlights why authenticity doesn’t mean saying or doing whatever you feel in the moment—and why small behavioral adjustments can actually strengthen connection rather than make you seem fake.

They also discuss empathy, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and why leaders who appear too polished can unintentionally become unrelatable. Ultimately, Jen and Steve explain how emotional intelligence helps leaders express authenticity in ways that are appropriate, effective, and human.

In this episode of Ego vs EQ & You, Jen and Steve continue their “Versus Series” by tackling an issue that causes countless misunderstandings at work and in relationships: intent vs. impact.

Most people judge themselves by their good intentions, while judging others by the impact of their behavior. The challenge is that even well-intended messages can land poorly if we don’t consider how they will be received. Through leadership examples and practical discussion, Jen and Steve explore how emotional intelligence helps us anticipate reactions, read the room, and adjust our delivery in real time.

They also discuss why audiences react differently to the same message, the importance of giving people space to respond, and how matching the emotional tone of your audience can help your message land more effectively. Ultimately, the conversation highlights a key truth: your intent belongs to you, but the impact belongs to your audience.

The episode closes with an important distinction between ego and emotional intelligence—ego defends our intent, while EQ takes responsibility for the impact our words and actions have on others.