Workday Playdate 327: Emotional Intelligence for the Overwhelmed with Lori Woodley-Langendorff
In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Lori Woodley-Langendorff to unpack a leadership truth we don’t practice enough: emotional intelligence isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s essential. Lori is an acclaimed author, educator, and expert in social-emotional literacy (SEL) who co-founded the non-profit "All It Takes" with her daughter, actress Shailene Woodley. Drawing from Lori’s 30-year career as a school counselor (and her lived experience as a parent), this conversation bridges the gap between personal growth and professional leadership, reminding us that the workplace has officially changed… and our emotional skills need to catch up.
Together, Erin and Lori explore emotional intelligence (EI) and social emotional literacy (SEL) as learnable, trainable skills, not personality traits you either have or don’t. Lori introduces her SEL Muscle framework, a practical, no-fluff approach to building emotional resilience, strengthening communication, and leading with both connection and accountability. The result? Healthier teams, better relationships, and leaders who can handle overwhelm without passing it down the chain.
Inside This Episode:
- Emotional Intelligence at Work: Why EI is foundational to modern leadership and personal growth
- SEL Is a Muscle: How social emotional literacy strengthens with intentional practice
- Connection + Accountability: Why you need both to build trust and credibility
- Emotional Awareness: How noticing feelings early prevents stress, burnout, and breakdowns
- The SEL Muscle Framework: Practical tools for emotional resilience and clearer communication
- Modeling the Way: Why leaders must “walk the talk” emotionally, not just strategically
- Curiosity Without Judgment: How this one shift transforms relationships at work and home
Who This Episode Is For:
- Leaders who feel the emotional weight of their role
- Managers navigating overwhelm, conflict, or disengagement
- Parents and professionals juggling accountability with compassion
- People leaders ready to strengthen emotional resilience and communication
- Anyone who wants to lead with more awareness and connection
Your Freebie
You’ve tried the color-coded calendars, the habit apps, and the “this is the week I finally get it together” pep talk… and it still doesn’t stick. That’s because consistency comes from understanding why your routines keep falling apart in the first place.
The 4-Step Consistency Planner helps you uncover the four real reasons consistency breaks down and walks you through four practical fixes so you can take back control of your week.
Download it here.
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