S2 - Episode 10 - Emotionally Charged Leadership: Dina Denham Smith on Leading Without Burning Out

Описание: Dina Denham Smith, executive coach, organisational psychologist and author of Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work, joins Sarah to unpack the emotional reality of modern leadership.






Drawing on 25 years of executive experience and behavioural science, Dina explores how the leadership role has fundamentally shifted. Virtual teams, AI integration, rising expectations around mental health and an increasingly complex workforce have all intensified the emotional demands placed on leaders. Yet most leaders have never been taught how to manage those demands effectively.






In this deeply practical and honest conversation, Dina shares:






Why emotions are not weaknesses but valuable data


How to move from reactivity to intentional leadership using her BRAVE framework


The difference between emotional intelligence and emotional skills


The hidden drivers of burnout and how to intervene before you hit empty


What ethical fatigue looks like inside high-pressure organisations


How to rebuild trust by breaking it down into competence, consistency and character






Dina also reflects on a pivotal moment in her own life. Stepping away from a high-powered career following her son’s premature birth reshaped her understanding of identity, ambition and what sustainable success really looks like.






This episode is grounded in science and deeply human. It challenges outdated ideas of tough leadership and replaces them with something more sustainable, strategic and effective.






If you are leading in complexity, feeling the emotional weight of your role, or questioning how to stay effective without burning out, this conversation will leave you better equipped and far less alone.






Dina's Website: https://www.dinadsmith.com/


Dina's LinkedIn Profile:   / dina-denham-smith  


Book: Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work (https://a.co/d/hC7wiHQ) (Oxford Press, 2025)





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