In this episode of the HRDQ-U In Review Podcast, host Sarah sits down with leadership and organizational culture expert Devin C Hughes to unpack the power of emotional intelligence (EQ) in team dynamics. Drawing on 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and educational institutions, Devin shares why technical skills alone aren’t enough to succeed in leadership—and how understanding emotions is the real game-changer. Devin defines emotional intelligence as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both our own emotions and those of others. He challenges the myth that we’re “thinking machines that feel,” asserting instead that humans are “feeling machines that think,” and explains why this matters for leaders who want to build high-performing, connected teams. Together, Sarah and Devin break down the five key components of EQ—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—and show how each one contributes to trust, communication, and psychological safety at work. They also dive into the red flags of low EQ, like chronic miscommunications, conflict avoidance, and blame-shifting, which can erode team morale. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for staying emotionally regulated under pressure, including the five-second pause technique, naming emotions to tame them, and micro-moments of recovery to recharge throughout the day. Chapters: Introduction and Background ‎00:00:00 Defining Emotional Intelligence ‎00:02:25 Five Components of EQ ‎00:03:29 Signs of Low EQ in Teams ‎00:06:36 Practical Strategies for Emotional Regulation ‎00:10:11 Action Items: Implement daily self-check-ins with three key reflection questions. ‎00:12:44 Encourage active listening and reduce multitasking during meetings. ‎00:07:41 Create space for honest feedback and open dialogue. ‎00:09:06 Build micro-moments of recovery into the workday. ‎00:11:39 Practice the five-second pause technique in high-pressure situations. ‎00:10:24 Watch the full webinar here Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that will help you harness the power of emotional intelligence to lead more effectively and create a healthier, more connected team culture. Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ: Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com. Leadership Potential: Leadership Potential collaborates with small to mid-sized HR and business leaders, providing tailored coaching, training, and consultation services to elevate their strategic approach. Explore their "Mastering Difficult Conversations: Developing Confident Communication Skills for Challenging Situations" course and save 10% with code HRDQU at leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to. Seize this opportunity to refine your skills, transcend obstacles, and propel your career to new heights.