Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast #379: It Helps to Have Thick Skin
Jan 15, 2026
Explore the power of developing thick skin as a leader. Learn how emotional intelligence helps process negativity and criticism. Discover techniques to reframe feedback and use it to foster growth. Understand the importance of evaluating feedback sources to maintain self-belief. Delve into concepts like the spotlight effect and the inevitability of critics. Ultimately, mastery over self and maintaining a growth mindset are key to resilience in leadership.
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Negativity Reflects The Sender
- Leaders with high emotional intelligence know other people's negativity often says more about them than about you.
- Not taking things personally is a leadership superpower that preserves clear thinking.
Pause And Reframe Before Reacting
- Reframe perceived attacks by pausing and seeking context before assuming intent.
- Preserve your mental space so you can respond with clarity instead of reacting emotionally.
Let Rejection Reduce Its Own Sting
- Tolerate rejection by deciding what to keep to learn from and what to discard to reduce emotional toll.
- Treat recurring nos as math: each no reduces future emotional impact and builds resilience.