99: How to go faster by slowing down: with Suraj Ethirajan

In this episode of NeuroConversant Leadership, Jeremy Doran speaks with Suraj Ethirajan, founder of GroUNow, about the challenges engineers face in becoming effective leaders. They discuss the importance of psychological safety, the need for emotional intelligence, and the balance between individualism and community in leadership. Suraj shares personal stories of resilience and emphasizes the significance of problem definition and collaboration in achieving success. The conversation concludes with practical communication tips for leaders.Learn more about Suraj at https://www.linkedin.com/in/surajethirajan/or at www.GroUNow.comChapters00:00 Introduction to Leadership in STEM01:15 Overcoming Barriers to Leadership05:36 The Importance of Collaboration10:05 Understanding Emotions in Leadership11:28 Individualism vs. Community13:56 Accountability and Assertiveness19:13 Resilience Through Adversity25:23 Defining Boundaries for Success26:28 The difference between a Superhero and a Supervillain27:37 Final Thoughts and Communication Tips31:55 Outro 3-20-24.mp4TakeawaysEngineers often focus too much on technology and not enough on human connection.Building trust is essential for effective communication in leadership.Defining the problem is crucial before rushing to solutions.Collaboration is key; going far requires working with others.Understanding emotions can enhance leadership effectiveness.Individual growth is important, but so is contributing to the community.Accountability in leadership means recognizing one's role in outcomes.Assertiveness involves balancing respect for oneself and others.Resilience is built through overcoming adversity and self-reflection.Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships in leadership.