It’s Personal

Jun 18

Episode 15: It’s Personal: Work Relationships that Work

WITH GUEST DR. KAREN BRIDBORD
What if the secret to better performance at work isn’t in your to-do list, but in your relationships?This week, Dr. Karen Bridbord, a workplace psychologist who brings a unique blend of clinical psychology, organizational expertise, and relationship therapy into the professional world shares insights from her book, The Relationship-Driven Leader. In it, she dives deep into how we lead, collaborate, and communicate and why emotional intelligence isn’t just a “nice-to-have,” it’s a must-have.

Whether you’re managing a team, navigating a tricky dynamic with a peer, or trying to stay sane in a high-pressure role, this episode explores how relationships at work are directly tied to our success, productivity, and overall well-being.

Key Themes from the Episode:

The value of productive conflict
Not all conflict is bad. In fact, when managed well, disagreement can lead to stronger solutions, sharper thinking, and more inclusive decision-making. Dr. Bridbord breaks down what healthy conflict looks like and how to keep people at the table even when they don’t see eye to eye.
Why psychological safety drives performance
We talk about how to build cultures where people feel safe enough to speak up, make mistakes, and bring their full selves to work. Psychological safety isn’t soft; it’s strategic and it’s essential for retention, engagement, and innovation.
Emotional intelligence as a leadership tool
Emotions don’t get left at the office door. We dive into how self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation show up in leadership and how they shape the way teams function and thrive.
The science of connection
Drawing from research, Dr. Bridbord shares why the strength of our relationships at work and beyond is one of the biggest predictors of long-term happiness, health, and professional success.
Tangible takeaways for better relationships at work
From check-in habits to communication practices, Dr. Bridbord offers practical, real-world strategies for improving connection and collaboration on any team.

Additional Resources: