Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast

In this episode of the Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast, we have the privilege of hosting John Sanei, a renowned speaker and author. John starts off by sharing his initial excitement about curating drones and blockchain for the future, but he quickly noticed that despite engaging with his audience, no one was actually changing their behavior. John then delves into his journey of combining self-development and psychology to overcome victim thinking and engage more curiously with the future. However, he soon discovered that this approach was not enough. According to John, the future requires a shift towards neuroscience, as it rewires the brain, unlike psychology which only updates the software. Drawing an analogy, John compares relying solely on psychology and software to trying to put iOS 16 into an iPhone 1. He stresses the importance of evolving neuroscience to access new levels of creativity and increase our awareness in finding innovative solutions. Throughout the episode, John highlights the significance of unlearning and rewiring our brains quickly, as well as changing our awareness and thinking to become more adaptable and engaged with the future. He challenges traditional notions of critical thinking, suggesting that we explore emotional intelligence and other types of intelligence that may not be understood yet. Further, John explores the concept of intimacy and its relationship to the brain's response. He discusses a study that reveals how the brain's reaction to receiving a physical gift is similar to imagining receiving a gift. This raises questions about the definition of intimacy and how it resonates with individuals in different ways. The conversation takes a personal turn as John opens up about his own experiences, including a difficult breakup. He reflects on the importance of working on our memories, rearranging and recalibrating them towards love rather than bitterness. By softening our memories and breaking patterns, we can increase our emotional intelligence and make the future more accessible and enjoyable. John also shares a heartwarming story about his relationship with his mother, emphasizing the power of curiosity and open-mindedness in deepening connections. He highlights the crucial role of leadership in preparing for the future and implementing strategies, emphasizing the interconnection between leadership and culture. Throughout the episode, John offers invaluable insights and strategies to enhance personal growth, evolve rapidly, and adapt to the disruptions caused by the rapid advancements of technology and artificial intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with our emotions, changing our frequencies, and healing from diseases that are based on outdated patterns. Join us in this thought-provoking and enlightening conversation with John Sanei as we explore new ways of thinking and navigating the complex challenges of the future.

This episode is part 1 of a 2 part series with with The Expansive (https://theexpansive.com/) podcast. I had a great time hosting Erik and John - I know you will enjoy the episodes!

In this episode of the Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast, we have the privilege of welcoming Erik Kruger to the show. Erik is here to discuss the process of dealing with the ending of something and the importance of being in the wilderness for inner reorientation.

Erik shares his insights on the necessary closure that comes with endings and how being in the wilderness is a time of reconfiguring one's identity. He emphasizes that this period of inner reorientation is crucial and explains how people who have just ended a long-term relationship may not be interested in dating again during this time.

A key theme throughout the episode is the role of emotional intelligence in choosing how we respond to various stimuli. Erik dives into the importance of self-awareness, understanding our patterns, beliefs, and triggers, and using that knowledge to modulate our interactions with others. He highlights the significance of considering the impact of our words and behaviors on those around us.

They explore the art of being a good host and creating a space where individuals can feel heard and understood. They delve into the concept of the wilderness and how it can be relevant and comforting, especially in challenging times like the COVID pandemic.

Erik, who works with high performers, also shares his desire to find a way to accelerate the process of going through the wilderness effectively. While acknowledging that trying to rush through it is not the point, they discuss the importance of embracing each phase of the wilderness, as each serves a specific purpose.

Throughout the episode, Erik emphasizes the significance of receiving input and feedback from others. They stress that self-awareness practices can only take a person so far and that being open to feedback without getting upset or feeling inferior is key to growth.

The conversation takes an introspective turn as Erik reflects on their own journey of reinvention. They discuss the challenges of leaving behind past identities, communities, and expectations. Erik shares personal experiences of navigating through the periods of turmoil that come with transitioning from one phase of life to another.

In sharing their own story, Erik touches on the difficulty of changing one's perception of oneself and how reinvention requires letting go of old identities, both externally and internally. They speak to the challenges of breaking free from the boxes others try to fit us into and finding acceptance in our ever-evolving selves.

As the episode progresses, Erik delves into their work with leaders and teams, discussing the importance of adaptability and change in the modern world. They talk about the necessity of developing change as a skill rather than expecting it to happen naturally.

The conversation concludes with insights into triggers and their potential to ignite both negativity and curiosity or opportunity. Erik shares personal anecdotes about triggers in their own life and how they've come to recognize and harness them for growth.

Overall, this episode with Erik Kruger provides a wealth of knowledge and wisdom for listeners. It offers a deep dive into topics such as endings, emotional intelligence, reinvention, and the role of triggers in personal and professional growth. Tune in and discover valuable insights for your own leadership journey.

In this episode of the Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast, we are joined by Bruce Alexander, a seasoned firefighter and leader. Bruce delves into the realm of authentic leadership, highlighting the key principles that he learned in leadership school: self-awareness, consistency, humility, open communication, observance, and love.

Bruce emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and how leaders need to analyze their weaknesses and understand how they respond to different situations. He also stresses the need for consistency, ensuring that the team knows what to expect from their leader in handling various challenges.

Humility is a core aspect of Bruce's leadership philosophy, as he firmly believes in recognizing oneself as the weakest link and leveraging the strengths of others to strengthen the team. Open communication is another crucial element, creating a safe space for team members to share openly and not just when things go wrong.

Bruce emphasizes the importance of being a real and approachable leader, encouraging listeners to shed the facade and truly connect with their team. He shares anecdotes from his extensive training as a firefighter and how that training made responding to fires feel natural and not weird to him.

While expressing their excitement and exhilaration when fighting real fires, Bruce also acknowledges the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of the people affected, rather than solely focusing on the thrill of the firefighting experience.

The physical demands of the job and the toll it takes on their body have caused Bruce to reconsider their initial enthusiasm for fighting fires. However, the lessons learned from their firefighting experience have also shaped their understanding of leadership. Bruce emphasizes the importance of recognizing who you are responsible to and who you are responsible for, both in the firefighting profession and in corporate teams.

Throughout the episode, Bruce shares valuable insights on fostering a happy and engaged team, utilizing team members' skills, teaching sacrifice and the importance of being a team player. He also emphasizes the role of genuine care and love for team members as the foundation of effective leadership.

Bruce candidly discusses their personal journey with ADHD, sharing how this neurological difference affected their understanding of social cues, feedback from their boss, and overall work performance. They reflect on the challenges they faced and the importance of open communication and understanding in navigating and managing ADHD in the workplace.

The episode touches on the speaker's experience in the paramilitary system of the fire department, their initial resistance to conforming to its hierarchical structure, and their grappling with bureaucracy and slow progress. Bruce emphasizes the importance of observing and respecting your team, as well as catching them doing things right and praising their contributions to create a positive work environment.

Ultimately, Bruce emphasizes that authentic leadership and an exciting culture can create teams that are enthusiastic and successful in any task given to them. When leaders genuinely care about their team's success, trust is established, and ambitious goals can be achieved. This episode is a captivating exploration of leadership, emotional intelligence, and the power of genuine care in building strong and successful teams.

In this episode of the Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast, we are joined by Angelo Melchiorre, a leader who believes in empowering every person on his team and holding each other accountable. Angelo shares his insights on leadership and the power of positive energy.

We delve into topics such as setting team goals to foster accountability and teamwork, as well as the importance of understanding and protecting our energy. Angelo highlights the role of emotional intelligence in leadership and how managing our energy can greatly impact our effectiveness as leaders.

He also opens up about his own experience with imposter syndrome and how he navigated the transition from an individual contributor to a leadership position. Angelo shares his approach to difficult conversations and the impact of small daily actions on long-term results.

In addition, Angelo discusses his career in the recruiting industry and his passion for coaching and helping others in their personal and professional growth. He gives us a glimpse into his 12-week program, "Level Up Your Life," and emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships in all aspects of life.

Join us in this inspiring and informative episode as we explore the keys to effective leadership and personal growth with Angelo Melchiorre on the Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast.

In this episode of the Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Lavar Thomas, who shares his journey towards emotional intelligence and international leadership experiences. Lavar reflects on a difficult time in high school where he faced rejection from all colleges he applied to due to low SAT scores. This experience left him feeling defeated and uncertain about his future. Lavar also felt failed by the educational system and struggled to navigate it. Emotions such as rejection, the need for external validation, and the constant need to prove himself consumed him.

However, Lavar's perspective began to change when he realized that his feelings were tied to a negative narrative he had created about not being good enough and being perceived as a threat due to his background and where he grew up. Through maturity, therapy, and mentorship, Lavar started understanding and articulating his emotions, which marked the beginning of his journey towards emotional intelligence.

During the episode, Lavar shares a transformative experience of a student from Chicago who unexpectedly had a layover in Egypt. Witnessing the pyramids and seeing camels passing by overwhelmed the student and made Lavar realize the power of having a vision and pushing through setbacks. Lavar's own desire to go to Egypt aligns with the student's experience and solidifies his belief that his struggles and failures were leading up to the moment of being able to help others from similar backgrounds.

Lavar also discusses his decision to join the Peace Corps, inspired by a conversation with an advisor who had done the Peace Corps in Jordan. He saw this opportunity as a unique way to break away from societal expectations, find his purpose, and become the person he was meant to be. Through volunteer work in Rwanda, Lavar started an organization called LFW, aiming to make international experiences accessible to other black men and expand their perspective as global citizens.

The episode explores the training process for Peace Corps volunteers, the importance of on-the-ground experience, and Lavar's involvement in an international experience in leadership development program for young black men. Lavar emphasizes the importance of authenticity, problem-solving, and adding value as a leader. He believes that everyone has the potential to be a leader, and the seeds for leadership are within every follower.

In addition, Lavar discusses his own personal growth through therapy, the importance of belief in one's worth, and the impact it has on leadership. He shares how his self-concept changed dramatically, understanding that no test, job, or title can define his value. Lavar's experiences have shaped his leadership style and have led him to create impact by shifting narratives and helping others show up more boldly.

This insightful episode of the Dunamis EQ Leadership Podcast highlights the power of emotional intelligence, international experiences, and personal growth in becoming effective leaders. Lavar Thomas' journey serves as an inspiration to listeners, revealing the potential within each individual to overcome hurdles and create positive change in their communities and the world.

Connect with Lavar

www.lavarthomas.com

www.leadersofthefreeworld.org