The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper

Why Emotional Intelligence and Servant Leadership Are the Future of Work

9 snips

May 6, 2025

Angela Pappas, an expert in leadership development with a rich background at Tesla and Palo Alto Networks, shares transformative insights on the future of work. She emphasizes the power of emotional intelligence and servant leadership, arguing that the best leaders ask the right questions instead of having all the answers. Angela discusses building trust-based relationships, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and the importance of continuous development in navigating career transitions. Her passion for fostering an inclusive workplace shines through, making leadership a journey of empathy and connection.

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ADVICE

Curiosity Overcomes Expertise Gaps

Admit when you don’t know something and ask thoughtful questions to build credibility.
Surround yourself with experts and cultivate curiosity to learn and lead effectively.

ADVICE

Use Transferable Skills to Pivot

Leverage transferable skills to pivot roles, even across domains like tech to HR.
Gain leadership experience by embracing opportunities that stretch beyond your comfort zone.

INSIGHT

EQ Trump Technical Skills

High emotional intelligence (EQ) and self-awareness are key foundations for leadership success.
Technical skill alone doesn't make a great leader without communication and relationship building.

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What if the best leaders aren’t the ones who always have the answers, but the ones who know how to ask the right questions?

Learn from the incredible Angela Pappas in this unforgettable episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast! This conversation will leave you rethinking everything you know about career growth, team building, and what real leadership looks like today.

Angela’s journey is anything but ordinary. From leading software developers in cold data centers to building high-performing teams at Tesla and Palo Alto Networks, she’s seen firsthand how empathy, emotional intelligence (EQ), and vulnerability aren’t just “soft skills.” They’re the foundation of servant leadership, high-performing teams, and long-term success.

Angela believes trust-based relationships empower people to embrace autonomy, find inspiration, and hold themselves accountable to deliver results. From diversity and inclusion to onboarding, leadership development, and performance management, Angela works to engage employees and leaders in learning, growing, and accelerating individual, team, and organizational performance.

Angela has led technical training, cybersecurity training, and professional development teams at Thomson Reuters, Tesla, and Palo Alto Networks. She’s thrilled about her current role at Lumen Technologies, using her learning and organization development skills to support the company’s transformation to a next-generation tech company, redefining what’s possible beyond telecom.

Angela lives in Minnesota with her husband, daughter, and the dog that rules their home. She enjoys being in nature and speaks gratitude fluently.

Introductions aside, this episode is packed with authentic stories, leadership strategies that actually work, and candid moments that will make you rethink your role as a leader. You’ll hear how Angela helped launch talent initiatives in some of the world’s top tech companies, turned setbacks into leadership superpowers, and why creating positive Ripples in your organization matters more than ever.

Sometimes, all you need to do is admit that you can’t possibly know everything, listen with curiosity, and use what you’ve learned to face challenges with a brave face.

Make sure to listen until the end!

Connect with Angela Pappas: linkedin.com/in/angelapappas-learndevelop

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