83. Pause Before You Lead

What if the real breakthrough in leadership isn’t about strategy — but about learning to pause? In this episode of The Leader in You, Dr. Lola and Polina welcome entrepreneur and leader Lisa Zimmer for an honest, vulnerable, and deeply practical conversation about emotional growth in leadership. Lisa shares how learning the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — the foundation behind the EmC process — transformed not only her personal life after divorce, but also the way she leads her business, handles conflict, and navigates difficult conversations. She opens up about: Moving from anger and reactivity to self-regulation Learning to pause instead of proving she’s right Letting go of the need to blame Holding two truths at the same time Repairing relationships — even when letting someone go Breaking the “cut and run” pattern in leadership Surrounding yourself with people who refill your emotional cup One of the most powerful moments in the episode is Lisa’s story of terminating a personal assistant — not from anger, but from care. Instead of burning the bridge, she repaired the relationship first. The result? Growth on both sides, and a relationship preserved. This episode is a masterclass in what emotionally connected leadership actually looks like in real life — messy, human, and deeply courageous. If you’ve ever felt triggered at work, misunderstood, emotionally exhausted, or tempted to walk away from leadership altogether, this conversation will remind you: You don’t need to react. You don’t need to win. You can pause. And you can grow. Because leadership isn’t about control. It’s about connection. The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where teams can thrive. Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team. CONNECT: EmC Leaders Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Channel RESOURCES: TESA - TEAM EMOTIONAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS CONFLICT RESOLUTION MASTER PROGRAM CONTACT US Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld: LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld Instagram: @drlolaemc Connect with Polina Marian: LinkedIn: Polina Marian Instagram: @livewithfivekids Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team dynamics, and wo...