We’ve all heard the buzz around artificial intelligence, business intelligence, and strategic intelligence. But in a world obsessed with data and efficiency, there’s one form of intelligence that often gets overlooked—and it might be the most important of all: emotional intelligence.

In this week’s episode of the LeadCulture Podcast during the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni unpacks why EQ is the skill every culture-carrying leader must develop. From self-awareness to relationship management, emotional intelligence is what helps you build trust, lead through change, and create a culture where people thrive—not just survive.

You’ll hear:

• Why EQ often goes underdeveloped in high-capacity leaders
• The story of how Jenni’s drive once created blind spots with her team
• A breakdown of the four key components of emotional intelligence
• Practical ways to grow your EQ and lead with greater empathy and awareness

Let’s build cultures where people feel seen, valued, and understood.

Let’s lead different.

🎧 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode on Communication.

We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron kicks off our Summer of Leadership series by spotlighting the most overlooked but foundational leadership skill: self-leadership. As leaders rise through the ranks, many realize they were trained to be led—but not necessarily to lead themselves. Jenni unpacks the personal and organizational impact of this shift, emphasizing how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and disciplined routines form the bedrock of effective leadership.

Through honest insights and practical strategies, Jenni challenges leaders to own their growth, model a growth mindset, and align daily behaviors with core values. You'll learn why organizational culture is shaped by how leaders show up every day—and how leading yourself well is the first step to leading others with clarity, confidence, and consistency.

Whether you're stepping into a new role or seeking to deepen your leadership influence, this episode will inspire you to take meaningful ownership of your development—and remind you that growth is contagious.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership.
• Leaders must shift from being led to leading themselves.
• Daily leader behaviors shape organizational culture.
• Growth mindset and ongoing learning are non-negotiable.
• Taking ownership of your development drives team success.
• Strong self-leadership boosts morale and retention.
• Growth is contagious—lead yourself to lead your team.

We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

This summer, leadership gets personal.

In this kickoff to the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni Catron invites you into a focused season of growth—because leadership isn't just about strategy, it's about you.

Leaders today are navigating more pressure than ever. And what your team needs most isn’t a new policy—it’s a more grounded, self-aware, communicative you. That’s why Jenni is diving into the eight essential leadership skills that shape culture from the inside out:

→ Self-leadership
→ Emotional intelligence
→ Communication
→ Decision-making
→ Delegation
→ Accountability
→ Feedback
→ Ownership

These are the human skills that build unstoppable teams and thriving cultures. In this episode, Jenni outlines each one and explains why developing them isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Whether you lead five people or five hundred, this episode is your invitation to reflect, reset, and re-engage with the habits that fuel healthy leadership.

🛠️ Takeaway: Your leadership sets the tone. And this summer, you have the opportunity to raise it.

📍Listen now and commit to becoming the kind of leader your culture can thrive under.

We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!