AI has flattened the information gap. Knowledge is no longer the differentiator. So what separates great leaders? Emotional intelligence: judgment, presence, the ability to read a room and know when to pause. Successful teams are building a system where EQ behaviors are a part of the organization's DNA.
Ash Panjwani has spent her career building leadership systems grounded in EQ at companies like Twilio, VMware, OneTrust, and Procore. In this episode, she explains why EQ can't be bolted on as another training program, and how to hardwire it into the decisions that already shape your organization: who you hire, who you promote, how you give feedback, how you hold leaders accountable.
Things to listen for:
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06:09) Leadership starts with behavior, not programs
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10:41) Clear expectations and shared language for growth
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19:08) Accountability in onboarding, promotions, and reviews
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07:03) Moving from programs to behavior-driven systems
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16:46) Emotional intelligence in the age of AI
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18:14) Developing judgment, trust, and situational awareness
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11:44) Coaching and feedback strategies for leaders
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17:15) Standing out as a leader in an AI-augmented world
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21:35) Designing programs that reflect real work contexts
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23:39) Takeaways for L&D and people teams
About Ash Panjwani:
Ash Panjwani is the founder of wrkhappy, where she builds performance and leadership infrastructure for scaling tech companies. Before launching wrkhappy, she spent over a decade designing leadership and performance systems inside Twilio, VMware, OneTrust, and most recently Procore, where she led talent development. Ash is an I/O psychologist by training and an operator by practice, and writes regularly on what it takes to develop leaders in the AI era.
Connect with Ash on
LinkedIn.
What is How to Make a Leader?
How to Make a Leader brings you the ideas and voices shaping the future of leadership. Host Hannah Beaver sits down with bold thinkers, builders, and changemakers across learning and leadership development to explore how great leaders are developed, through smart design, real-world experience, and the moments that matter. These are candid, curiosity-driven conversations crafted for L&D and leadership development professionals who want fresh insight, sharper thinking, and a smarter way to build leaders who thrive.
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