"Emotional intelligence doesn’t just live in individuals. It lives in the space between us."

After years of working with groups, I’ve come to see emotional intelligence as a kind of quiet force. When it’s present, things open. Trust builds. People give more of themselves and the work deepens.

This week’s article explores what happens when a team brings that kind of emotional awareness into the room. How it creates the conditions for collaboration, clarity, and creativity. And how, when it’s missing, the air in the room seems to thin.

Emotional intelligence doesn’t just live in individuals. It lives in the space between us. And it shapes what’s possible in teams, often before a single word is spoken.

Latest article

✍️ What emotional intelligence makes possible for teams

Latest Podcast

🎙️ Episode 11 of The Smoosh Podcast
Title: The call for connection

What's happening with Melis

Reading:
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. It’s a novel but really well researched about 1930s America, the drought, depression, people organising for workers rights and fleeing to California, the land of milk and honey. It’s a harrowing read, but 'unputownable'.

Listening to:
The Value of Everything by Mariana Mazzucato. It’s just mind blowing to me how made up everything is… truly.

Doing:
Final preparations for the big move to Mistwood next week. Lots to arrange but excited for the change.

Pondering:
Just how resilient the human system can be, considering how pants 2025 has been so far. I marvel. Oh, and robots in China.

What's happening with Ben

Reading:
Nothing! It's so nice. ;-)

Listening to:
In an Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine. I took a breather from it, jumping back in now.

Doing:
Having a weekend beach getaway with my family. I've been exposed to a lot of deep emotional content lately, both personally and professionally. I need a reset: sand, wind, salt and a clear view of the horizon. Ahhhhhh!

Pondering:
Organisational cultures that value emotional intelligence (see this week's article). There is a marked difference in the whole experience of working with them. My nervous system is grateful.

How can you strengthen a connection with someone in your life this week?

You've got this.

Love,