Emotional Intelligence Still Matters in the Age of AI with Caroline Stokes

What will it take to lead in the year 2030?

In this episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, Crestcom’s Jenn DeWall speaks with leadership strategist and author Caroline Stokes about the critical mindset shifts leaders must make to stay relevant in a world defined by artificial intelligence, climate disruption, and societal transformation.

From emotional intelligence to radical listening and future-ready leadership systems, this conversation challenges old paradigms and offers a practical path forward. Caroline invites leaders to step into the uncertainty—not with fear, but with curiosity, courage, and the willingness to reinvent themselves and their organizations.

Meet Caroline Stokes

Caroline Stokes is an executive recruiter, leadership coach, futurist, and the founder of Workplace EQ. She is the author of Elephants Before Unicorns: Emotionally Intelligent HR Strategies to Save Your Company and her most recent book, AfterShock to 2030: A CEO’s Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate, and Societal Collapse.

Drawing on decades of experience at companies like Sony and Disney, Caroline now works with founders, boards, and executives to build emotionally intelligent, trauma-aware, and adaptive leadership systems. She has spoken at the World Bank and the United Nations, and her insights appear in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and other leading publications.

Leadership in a Polycrisis Era

Caroline begins by identifying the defining feature of our current moment: we’re living in a polycrisis era—an interconnected web of challenges that include AI disruption, climate change, economic instability, and societal unrest.

“We all have to reinvent our nervous system to be able to evolve in this particular age,” she explains. “It means doing it at a much faster pace than ever before.”

This isn’t just about learning new technology. It’s about changing the way leaders show up emotionally, psychologically, and strategically. Traditional models of top-down leadership are no longer effective in an environment where employees are under unprecedented levels of stress.

The Emotional Reality of Leadership in the Age of AI

Many leaders today are navigating exhaustion, outrage, and anxiety—right alongside their teams. Caroline explains that many people are stuck in a stress response: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. She says: 

“We’re all pretty much paralyzed in some way to understand and comprehend the challenging environment that we see ourselves in.”

This emotional context cannot be ignored. Whether it’s burnout, distrust, or the rising cost of living, Caroline emphasizes that leadership is emotional and psychological. CEOs can no longer separate performance from well-being. Caroline asks: 

“If you haven’t got the basics satisfied, how can you expect people to perform at a high level?”

This is a direct challenge to leaders who try to motivate with perks or platitudes. A free yoga class won’t matter if your employees are worried about putting food on the table.

Why Emotional Intelligence Still Wins

Even in the age of artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence remains the most human and most powerful leadership skill.

“AI is not emotionally intelligent. It can’t show empathy. It doesn’t care. That’s still our job.”

Caroline urges leaders to go beyond performative empathy and instead practice radical listening—a deliberate effort to create space for honest feedback, without judgment or fear.

“We’re trying to understand where the themes are, where the gaps are, where the opportunities are… and to put everybody’s ego on the line.”

This shift isn’t about being soft. It’s about being real, responsive, and ready to act on what your team actually needs.

Reinventing the CEO Mindset

To lead through disruption, CEOs must embrace what Caroline calls a “blank slate” mindset. That means letting go of outdated goals and assumptions—especially those tied to unbridled growth. She explains: 

“We have left the old paradigm. The past is firmly in the past. We’re in a new paradigm, and it requires us to have a different mindset.”

Caroline explains that growth targets and OKRs rooted in pre-pandemic expectations are no longer realistic—or responsible.

“We’re not going to achieve growth right now. The world that we had previously experienced in previous decades just isn’t happening anymore.”

Instead, leaders should build future-ready leadership systems that reflect current realities. That includes involving employees in shaping new goals, acknowledging the emotional toll of change, and aligning strategies with both performance and sustainability.

Hope Is a Leadership Strategy

With all the uncertainty ahead, is there still room for hope? Caroline says yes—but it must be grounded in reflection, not toxic positivity.

“Hope can only be found once you’ve actually done the work.”

In her book, AfterShock to 2030, she provides CEOs with tools to reflect, reset, and reimagine their leadership approach. The goal is to create transformation—not just for the organization, but for the individuals within it.

“If we don’t have that hope, how are we… It’s very hard for people to get out of bed in the morning.”

Leadership today demands resilience, self-awareness, and a willingness to change. And for those willing to do the work, Caroline believes there is a real opportunity to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact.

Where to Connect with Caroline Stokes

Want to learn more from Caroline? Here’s where to find her:

• Check out her website: theforward.co
• Buy her latest book: AfterShock to 2030
• Listen to her Podcast: Aftershock: Leadership for the Fifth Industrial Revolution
• Connect on LinkedIn: Caroline Stokes

Want to Build More Emotionally Intelligent Leaders?

At Crestcom, we help organizations develop the soft skills that drive hard results. Our interactive leadership development programs empower managers to lead with curiosity, compassion, and confidence. If you are interested in learning more, get started with a free, live-facilitated leadership skills workshop for you and your team. Click here to learn more: crestcom.com/freeworkshop

Listen to the Full Episode

This episode of The Leadership Habit is packed with insight, strategy, and a fresh perspective on what leadership must look like to thrive in the future!

🎧 Listen now: The Leadership Habit Podcast 

If you found this conversation valuable, share it with someone ready to lead with purpose in the face of change.

 

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