Work From The Inside Out 292: The Emotional Demands of Leadership in Today’s Workplaces with Dina Denham Smith
What does leadership look like in a world where emotions are more present at work than ever before? In this episode, Tammy speaks with executive coach, strategic advisor, and author Dina Denham Smith about the increasing emotional demands placed on leaders today. Drawing on her background in organizational psychology, business, and executive leadership, Dina shares how workplaces have changed and why leaders are being charged with navigating situations that go well beyond traditional management practices. In her new book, Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work, she connects the dots between the complexities of intensified emotions in the workplace and the practical approaches needed to lead a trusting and engaged workforce.
Dina reflects on her early life growing up on a boys boarding school campus and how that environment shaped her confidence, communication style, and comfort speaking up in male dominated settings. She also shares the path that led her from studying organizational psychology to earning an MBA, working in consulting and private equity, and eventually building a successful executive coaching practice.
Tammy and Dina also explore the concept of emotional labor in leadership. Dina explains why the emotional expectations placed on leaders have intensified in recent years and offers practical insights for navigating difficult conversations, supporting teams through change, and leading effectively in an emotionally complex workplace.
In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:
- How Dina’s unconventional childhood shaped her confidence and communication style
- Why early work experiences influenced her interest in workplace psychology
- The path from studying organizational psychology to earning an MBA and moving into consulting
- What she learned working in organizational strategy and corporate transformation
- Dina’s transition from corporate leadership roles into executive coaching
- Why writing became an important part of her professional work
- The concept of emotional labor and how it applies to leadership
- Why leaders today face higher emotional demands than in the past
- How leaders can navigate emotionally charged conversations with their teams
- Practical ways to explore career changes through experimentation rather than overthinking
Learn more about Dina:
- Website: www.dinadsmith.com
- Book: Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dinadsmith71/
Stay Connected:
- Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
- Buy Me A Coffee
- Work From The Inside Out Website
- Subscribe to the newsletter
- Subscribe to YouTube: @tammygoolerloeb