Leading Well Under Pressure Starts With Communication
I’m joined by researcher, Dr. Naomi Smyth-Patterson, from Belfast, to discuss how emotional intelligence in leadership can sustain performance under pressure.
Listen to this Episode:
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation with Naomi Smyth-Patterson about emotional intelligence in leadership
“Workplace stress isn’t just about workload—it’s shaped by how leaders communicate under pressure.”
In this episode, we explore emotional intelligence in leadership and why it’s the missing link in sustaining performance under pressure.
Naomi shares insights from her PhD research into employee well-being—revealing that it’s not “fluffy” interventions that matter most, but how leaders communicate, build trust, and create psychological safety.
🔺 Do people feel heard?
🔺 Do they feel supported?
🔺 Do they trust you?
Because under pressure, that’s what determines whether someone thrives… or burns out.
🎧 Episode Timestamps
00:26 – Meeting in Belfast & first impressions
02:10 – From HR to academia: the challenge of losing results
04:20 – Why employee well-being still isn’t working
05:00 – Inside the research: what employees actually need
06:30 – What really drives well-being: trust, community & leadership
06:50 – Why “wellness perks” miss the mark
08:35 – The real reason leaders feel overloaded
10:45 – The leadership blind spot: emotional credibility
13:00 – Building trust that drives performance
13:45 – Naomi’s simple strategy to stay steady under pressure
15:55 – The takeaway: communication makes or breaks teams