Oh hey,
Well, this week has been VERY rich! I have been running around the country delivering awesome workshops with brilliant people!
There has been a lot of focus on emotional intelligence for senior managers. It’s always fascinating to see experienced leaders have those “lightbulb” moments, especially around handling their own triggers and understanding how important it is to show up consistently for their teams. It's the thing that employees always say to me is the quality they most admire in their managers.
One of the key insights? Leaders realising that their role goes beyond just delivering results and overseeing projects; it’s about creating a safe, supportive space for their teams. Senior managers might not feel any sort of panic day-to-day, but their team members - often more junior -experience the workplace quite differently. Many are in that “first time” phase: first major project, first high-stakes meeting, or even the first time they make a mistake. For a senior manager, these situations may feel routine or easily managed, but for someone new, especially when things go wrong, it can be absolutely terrifying.
Imagine the first time a team member makes a significant mistake. While a senior manager might view it as a learning experience and handle it calmly, the junior team member might (and often does) feel like it’s the end of the world. The fear, the “what will they think of me?” worry, the anxiety of having disappointed - it’s a powerful mix that can shake someone’s confidence.
So, this week’s message to our leaders has been all about empathy. Just because a situation feels manageable for you doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone else. The goal? To be that steady, supportive presence that gives your team the room to grow, learn, and feel comfortable making their own way, including navigating those first mistakes.
Here’s to a bit more compassion, a bit more patience, and a reminder that while it might not be your first time, for someone on your team, it just might be.
Have a wonderful week, sending much love.
Cate x
Oh hey,
Well, this week has been VERY rich! I have been running around the country delivering awesome workshops with brilliant people!
There has been a lot of focus on emotional intelligence for senior managers. It’s always fascinating to see experienced leaders have those “lightbulb” moments, especially around handling their own triggers and understanding how important it is to show up consistently for their teams. It's the thing that employees always say to me is the quality they most admire in their managers.
One of the key insights? Leaders realising that their role goes beyond just delivering results and overseeing projects; it’s about creating a safe, supportive space for their teams. Senior managers might not feel any sort of panic day-to-day, but their team members - often more junior -experience the workplace quite differently. Many are in that “first time” phase: first major project, first high-stakes meeting, or even the first time they make a mistake. For a senior manager, these situations may feel routine or easily managed, but for someone new, especially when things go wrong, it can be absolutely terrifying.
Imagine the first time a team member makes a significant mistake. While a senior manager might view it as a learning experience and handle it calmly, the junior team member might (and often does) feel like it’s the end of the world. The fear, the “what will they think of me?” worry, the anxiety of having disappointed - it’s a powerful mix that can shake someone’s confidence.
So, this week’s message to our leaders has been all about empathy. Just because a situation feels manageable for you doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone else. The goal? To be that steady, supportive presence that gives your team the room to grow, learn, and feel comfortable making their own way, including navigating those first mistakes.
Here’s to a bit more compassion, a bit more patience, and a reminder that while it might not be your first time, for someone on your team, it just might be.
Have a wonderful week, sending much love.
Cate x
