Leading Humans, Not Just Projects: EQ for Engineering Minds

In this episode, Nikki Maginn shares a powerful and unexpected career journey from nuclear engineer to project manager and emotional intelligence educator. Drawing from her experience inside highly technical, male-dominated environments, Nikki unpacks why emotional intelligence is not a “soft skill,” but a critical leadership capability, especially for engineers and women navigating complex workplaces. The conversation explores the often-overlooked mental health challenges within engineering and technical fields, the pressure many women feel to downplay their femininity, and the cost of leadership that prioritizes tasks over people. Nikki makes a compelling case for investing in relationships at work, leading with authenticity, and building cultures where people feel supported, seen, and valued. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on leadership, legacy, and what it really takes to create workplaces that don’t just perform but sustain and evolve for the next generation. About Our Guest Nikki Maginn is a nuclear engineer, pilot, and former Division I athlete who has built her career at the intersection of technical excellence and human-centered leadership. With experience leading multimillion-dollar engineering and logistics programs and shaping innovation in the nuclear startup space, Nikki knows what it takes to thrive in high-stakes technical environments. ​ But her true passion lies in reimagining how engineers are developed. As the founder of Inside Out Engineering, she pioneered a course that brings emotional intelligence into STEM education—first launched at the University of Tennessee and now expanding through industry and academic partnerships. Nikki’s work equips engineers and technical leaders with the courage, curiosity, and communication skills needed to collaborate, lead, and create with impact. Connect with Nikki: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/nikki-maginn Inside Out Engineering - https://www.insideoutengineering.com YouTube - Inside Out Engineering Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@InsideOutEngineering