
EI at Work
An exploration of the impact of emotional intelligence in business and life. Co hosts Marie El Daghl and global emotional intelligence expert Dr Ben Palmer invite a different guest each month to share how EI was a game changer in their organisation.
Latest episodes

Feb 21, 2023 • 44min
Building team emotional intelligence with leadership and team development expert, Dr Vanessa Druskat
Success hinges on the ability of teams to collaborate, communicate and connect effectively. However, in today’s dynamic and dispersed world of work, it can be more difficult than ever to foster an environment where teamwork – really works. Discover how emotional intelligence applies to teams and how to foster this essential skill set at a group level. In this episode of EI at Work, we’re joined by Dr Vanessa Druskat, Associate Professor at the University of New Hampshire's Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics and Member of the board of directors at the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations to discuss: How to define ‘emotionally intelligent teams’ The role of leaders in fostering team emotional intelligence Individual emotional intelligence vs. team emotional intelligence The role of social norms in building emotionally intelligent teams How to build team emotional intelligence The role of emotional intelligence in onboarding new team members Interested in Emotional Intelligence? Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 12, 2022 • 36min
Celebrating 20 years of Genos International with CEO Dr Ben Palmer
Game-changing for business. Life-changing for people. Genos International is proud to celebrate 20 years of realising this very philosophy, through the assessment and development of emotional intelligence in the workplace. An organisation that started as the brainchild of a passionate research team and Swinburne University, has since become the world-leader in emotional intelligence and assessment development. So where did it all start? How was emotional intelligence evolved over the last twenty years and where is it headed in the future? Learn all this and more, in this very special anniversary episode of EI at Work. Dr Ben Palmer, CEO of Genos International, and co-host of EI at Work takes to centre stage to reflect on the past 20 years of Genos International. Together with co-host Marie El Daghl, Managing Director at marketing agency Chasing Albert , he discusses: The inception and growth of Genos Selling the concept of emotional intelligence then versus now How emotional intelligence has evolved over the past two decades EI and workplace trends of the future Genos International’s famous friends and clients The learnings and mistakes along the way The people that have made Genos what it is today Interested in Emotional Intelligence? Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question? Leave us a voice message and have it answered on the next EI at Work Q&A episode. Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review below and let us knowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 12, 2022 • 39min
The cost of hiring the emotionally unintelligent with Will Ainsley, COO at Testgrid
The cost of hiring the emotionally unintelligent. In this episode we discuss the recruitment woes of today, exploring the value of emotional intelligence during the recruitment phase and whether it should be a non-negotiable for businesses navigating Australia’s employment crisis. Joining us to tackle these questions and more is Will Ainsley; Chief Operating Officer at employment testing, HR technology and assessment science company, Testgrid. Will works closely with clients to uncover their core challenges and develops bespoke solutions to solve their problems. A respected Sales and Customer Success professional, he has 20 years of customer growth and account management experience in Technology, HR, Talent Management and Managed Services. Together with co-hosts Dr Ben Palmer, CEO Genos and Marie El Daghl, managing director at marketing and communications agency Chasing Albert, they discuss: How hard it is to recruit at the moment Recruitment difficulties and whether this is forcing people to make hiring mistakes State of the testing market The value of EI and psych assessments in recruitment Current corporate priorities in terms of skills to look at in the recruitment process. What are they willing to sacrifice? How good interpersonal skills are demonstrated by candidates Can corporates afford not to test for them? The percentage of candidates that fail in the probation period, and why. The cut off points for EI companies are currently using The cost of hiring the emotionally unintelligent Cost of EI testing at the recruitment stage, the benefits and what’s involved. Interested in Emotional Intelligence? Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question? Leave us a voice message and have it answered on the next EI at Work Q&A episode. Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 8, 2022 • 32min
The science of opinions with social psychologist Dr. Andy Luttrell
If you’ve debated where covid came from, whether Amber Heard is believable, or who should win a recent election – this is a podcast for you. Polarised opinions seem to be the norm on most things these days. Sometimes these conversations are enlightening and positive. Other times they’re toxic and damaging. So, learning how to express and solicit strong opinions is paramount. Spoiler alert – avoiding them altogether is not the answer. Especially at work. Special guest Dr Andy Luttrell, social psychologist and host of Opinion Science, shares the fascinating science of opinions. Dr Ben Palmer, EI expert and CEO of Genos International delves into the role of emotional intelligence in managing polarised opinions for positive outcomes – whether at work or home. Facilitated by Marie El Daghl, MD of Chasing Albert. Points of discussion include: What are opinions and how are they formed The difference between strong opinions and weak opinions The relationship between our opinions and feeling part of a tribe Understanding opinion polarisation Insight into ‘unfounded confidence’ The definition of moralised opinions The critical role of emotional intelligence in expressing and soliciting opinions How to be persuasive and outcome oriented when discussing polarised views Positive framing and how it helps you navigate the strong opinions of others. To shut down or not shut down heated arguments around polarised opinions – that is the question. The extent our mindset impacts how we enter discussions with polarised opinions How people higher in EI react when they are faced with a difference in opinion vs. someone with low EI. Learn more about Dr Andy Luttrell here. Interested in Emotional Intelligence?Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question?Leave us a voice message and have it answered on the next EI at Work Q&A episode. Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review below and let us know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 20, 2022 • 38min
How to make work from home – work. Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, Professor and Behavioural Scientist, shares his insight
It’s official, working from home is here to stay for good. 1 in 2 employees now work mostly from home, and 70% would like to continue doing so post-pandemic. But are we truly prepared? While remote work has a long list of advantages – it doesn’t come without its flaws. One survey reports that 56% of people get along worse with their colleagues from home, and 30% enjoy their job less from home. WFH has transformed our understanding of culture and connection. So, what are the long-term impacts of moving to permanent remote work? And how we can we get it right? In this episode of EI at Work, we’re joined by Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, the William Russell Kelly Professor of Business Administration at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Jeffrey is a leading Behavioural Scientist, Researcher and Author in the domain of human dynamics and EI. He joins co-hosts Marie El Daghl and Genos International CEO, Dr Ben Palmer to discuss: The impact of WFH on organisational culture and mental health. How remote work is impacting the way we connect, communicate, and collaborate with others. The role of emotional intelligence in improving the remote employee experience. How emotional intelligence has impacted business outcomes over the Covid-19 period. How emotional intelligently ways of working can be transferred or adapted for remote work environments. How an individual’s work from home environment can impact their levels of stress and ultimately success, and the role employers have in this. Learn more about Jeffrey's research here. Interested in Emotional Intelligence?Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question?Leave us a voice message, and have it answered on the next El at Work Q&A episode. Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 10, 2022 • 34min
Signs you need to improve psychological safety in your workplace
Signs you need to improve psychological safety in your workplace. Want workplace psychological safety? You need emotional intelligence. In the face of continuing change, COVID disruption stress and high levels of burn out, people are in desperate need of psychological safety in the workplace, and ready and willing to change jobs to find it. But how can you tell if your workplace needs to work on this area? In this episode of EI at Work, EI Expert and CEO of Genos International, Dr Ben Palmer, and co-host Marie El Daghl, discuss: What psychological safety is in the context of the workplace. How you can tell if your workplace is psychologically safe or not. The link between EI and psychological safety. How the pandemic and working from home have impacted psychological safety. Why ‘average’ is not a good enough level of psychological safety. How Genos corporate programs can help workplaces develop their psychological safety. Interested in Emotional Intelligence?Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question?Leave us a voice message, and have it answered on the next El at Work Q&A episode. Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 25, 2022 • 39min
Why facial expressions aren’t a true reflection of our emotions. Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett, Distinguished Professor and Scientist, shares her research
As we enter 2022, we face a new world of work. Virtual teams and flexible arrangements are here to stay, and the lines between our professional and personal lives are more blurred than ever. With all this change and uncertainty about what’s next, being in touch with the emotions of ourselves and others is critical. The issue? Some of society’s core ideas about managing, perceiving, and understanding emotions are wrong. Despite common belief, research has revealed that emotions are not universal, we cannot read them from faces, and they are not hardwired deep within us. In this episode of EI at Work, we’re joined by Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett. She is among the top 1% most-cited scientists for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. Dr Barrett joins co-hosts Marie El Daghl and Genos International CEO, Dr Ben Palmer to discuss: The top 3 things she has uncovered through her revolutionary research on emotions. How emotions are made and why some of our society’s core ideas about them are wrong. Facial expressions and why they’re not accurate signs of emotions. The role of prediction and patterns in how our emotions work. Why the use of AI to predict human emotions is misguided. The implications of her research for both the workplace and our personal lives. Interested in Emotional Intelligence?Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question?Leave us a voice message, and have it answered on the next El at Work Q&A episode. Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 17, 2021 • 36min
EI Expert Dr Ben Palmer answers your questions on all things EI.
Everyone wants to know more about emotional intelligence, and for good reason. EI has been listed by the World Economic Forum as a top 10 required job skill for now and the future. It’s been proven to increase workplace productivity, performance, customer loyalty, job satisfaction, stress and more. Learn more on this special episode of EI at Work. World leading EI expert and CEO of Genos International Dr Ben Palmer and co-host Marie El Daghl answer all your burning questions: If I want to develop better emotional intelligence, where should I start? I know people who seem to be very low in their EI, and others who are high. Is emotional intelligence an ability that some people have in greater levels than others? Does gender and age influence a person’s emotional intelligence? Can you develop your emotional intelligence through self-study, or do you need to undertake a program? Is it possible to get a measurement of EI like you can with an IQ? And more! Interested in Emotional Intelligence?Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question?Leave us a voice message, and have it answered on the next El at Work Q&A episode. Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 28, 2021 • 34min
Why EI is critical to teaching and leading in schools with Neil McDonald, CEO at QELi.
Educator, mentor, counsellor, motivator, mediator, and even friend. On any given day, school teachers and leaders wear many hats to fulfil the demands of their profession. However, with these different roles comes the toll of highly charged emotional labour.QELi is one organisation that has recognised the importance of growing emotionally intelligent behaviours in school teachers and leaders. Learn how they worked with Genos on implementing EI into their leadership programs to enhance culture, professional wellbeing, and student outcomes.Neil McDonald, Chief Executive Officer at QELi joins co-hosts Marie El Daghl and Genos International CEO, Dr Ben Palmer to discuss: The state of EI in the education sector. Why QELi built EI into its leadership development program and its impact. The role of EI across educational professions; from teachers and middle leaders to principals and system leaders. How the ability to manage emotions can improve colleague, parent, and student relationships. How QELi uses Genos Leadership Assessments to assess and develop emotionally intelligent behaviours. The opportunity for EI in student growth and development. Interested in Emotional Intelligence?Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Have a question? Leave us a voice message, and have it answered on EI at Work.Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 23, 2021 • 27min
Why leaders must coach with compassion. Richard Boyatzis, Distinguished Professor and Author, shares his research.
Helping people change is a big part of any manager or leader’s job. The development of your team and colleagues is critical to business outcomes. It’s also key to their lifelong learning and growth.Coaching is most typically approached from a lens of compliance, that is, with set ideas of how people need to act or change. While the best of intentions may drive this style, trying to ‘fix’ others is far from effective. For coaching to be truly powerful, it must be led with compassion, and consider the goals of those it’s trying to help.Richard Boyatzis, Distinguished University Professor of Case Western Reserve University, and co-author of Helping People Change joins co-hosts Marie El Daghl and Genos International CEO, Dr Ben Palmer to discuss: The difference between coaching for compliance and coaching with compassion, and why the latter is key to long term learning and growth. Why trying to ‘fix’ others isn’t conducive to change. The importance of personal vision in driving lifelong change. How to deliver constructive feedback with purpose and empathy. Why senior leaders need to focus their energy on the strengths of their team, rather than the weaknesses. Interested in Emotional Intelligence?Learn more about Genos Emotional Intelligence, become a Genos Certified Practitioner or enquire about the Genos Corporate Program. Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review below and let us know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.