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About this Episode:

In this episode of The Transformative Leader Podcast, I’m happy to be bringing you a conversation with speaker, corporate trainer, and emotional intelligence expert, John Faisandier. John is the creator of the Thriving Under Fire, a training company and methodology that guides people in managing emotions and communicating more effectively, so as to improve their workplace experiences. Since 1999, John has personally worked with thousands of people, which led to him writing the Thriving Under Fire book, and creating workshops and online trainings so that organizations all over the world can take advantage of this proven methodology.

John is most enthusiastic about talking with leaders on how to manage emotions in their lives. In particular, what happens in the moment when the other person is highly emotional and they are affected. Some leaders are very good at this in the workplace, especially when they have designated authority, but elsewhere, particularly at home with family members (teenagers especially) they don’t have that same authority. I know that this is something that we have all experienced as leaders, and as people in general, so John’s insights will definitely make a difference for listeners.

John was an incredibly fascinating guest with one of the most interesting “origin stories“ I think we have ever had on the show. He is definitely a kindred spirit when it comes to the need for emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and other “soft skills“ in the workplace today, and I would love to have him back on the show again. He had a great deal of insight to share in our conversation, so be sure to give this episode a listen.

Some topics discussed in this episode include:

• John’s fascinating journey to where he is today, including volunteer teaching in Tonga, 19 years as part of the Catholic clergy, and working as a psychodramatist in a drug and alcohol rehab hospital.

• What is going on in our brains when we get upset, and ways we can exercise some control over that process.

• How recognizing and accepting our emotions—rather than deciding whether or not we should be feeling them—is the first step in beginning to manage them more effectively.

• The unique role psychodrama plays in practically working through difficult situations, at home and at work.

• Why self-awareness and self-compassion are key in developing empathy for others as well as cultivating emotional intelligence and resilience.

John Faisandier is the founder and lead facilitator of Thriving Under Fire, a New Zealand-based corporate training company. In the past, John has worked as a teacher, pastoral assistant, university chaplain, counsellor, Race Relations mediator, Life Skills tutor, psychodramatist and trainer of counsellors in a residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. (He also spent 19 years as a Catholic priest, and was a volunteer teacher in Tonga as a teenager). John holds Bachelor degrees in Anthropology and Theology, and a Masters degree in Adult Education. He currently lives in Wellington, New Zealand with his wife and adult son.

Guest Links:

To learn more about John and his offerings, visit his website. There, you can also download a free ebook, prepared for TTLP listeners, on how to make an effective apology. You can connect with John on LinkedIn, Facebook, and by emailing him at john@tuf.co.nz.

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