268: The Business Case for Joy: Amanda Gore on Building High-Impact Teams

Today, we are delighted to welcome Amanda Gore, an Australian powerhouse from the Speaker Hall of Fame, as our guest. Amanda is a phenomenal communicator who blends her sharp insights with humor and heart, offering fresh perspectives on joy, emotional intelligence, change, management, and leadership. Get ready to laugh and learn as Amanda shares her story and powerful insights that have inspired her audiences worldwide. Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important than technical skills in leadership and life. EQ helps people navigate conflict, build trust, and maintain strong relationships. If someone feels psychologically safe, they will be more productive, creative, and loyal. The Brain Reacts First, Thinks Later The brain is wired for survival. So, when people feel threatened by someone's tone, body language, or words, they shift into fight-or-flight mode, making calm conversation almost impossible. Understanding that can help you lead with compassion and avoid escalation. Emotional Contagion  Your emotional state does not stay with you. It spreads. The heart's magnetic field changes as your feelings change, which affects everyone around you. That is why a calm leader can anchor a room, and a stressed leader can wreck it. Lead Yourself First Leadership starts with managing your internal world, knowing what triggers you, and regulating how you respond in stressful situations. Self-awareness is the key because if you are emotionally reactive, you cannot guide others effectively.  Simple Tools Regulate Big Emotions Regulating your emotions helps you stay grounded when things get tense. You do not need complicated methods to self-regulate. Breathing slowly and deeply while focusing on your heart area or just naming what you feel will allow you to shift your state almost instantly.  Everyone Carries Invisible Baggage Most conflict stems from unmet emotional needs. People tend to react out of fear that they are not good enough, not safe enough, or do not belong. Keeping that in mind helps you respond with empathy instead of judging. Stay Connected in Conflict Instead of turning someone into the problem, it is better to externalize the issue. That way, both individuals can stay connected and tackle the problem together. So you can protect the relationship while still addressing what needs to change. Joy  Culture starts with energy, not strategy. Joy is not just a nice-to-have feeling- it fuels performance. You can create more joy in your team by starting your meetings with gratitude, recognizing the wins, and being intentional about how you show up.  Reframing Change The brain resists change because it does not like uncertainty. However, change is necessary for growth. Reframing change as a challenge instead of a threat will help you adapt faster and stay open to new possibilities. Focus Shapes Reality Your area of focus rewires your brain and shapes your relationships. Where your attention goes, your energy flows. Focus on the good in people; you will likely find more of it. If you focus on threats, however, you will create a defensive environment. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Connect with Amanda Gore On her website Email Amanda: [email protected] LinkedIn