328: Showing Up as a Leader When the World Feels Heavy
Wed Feb 04 2026
In this Workday Playdate, Erin tackles a leadership reality many people leaders are quietly carrying: when the world feels heavy, your team feels it too. This episode is a grounded guide for showing up with intention, presence, and care without pretending you have all the answers.
Erin explores how global events, constant information overload, and emotional fatigue are showing up inside our workplaces, whether we acknowledge them or not. Drawing on research around psychological safety and belonging, she makes the case that empathy, kindness, and emotional awareness are core leadership strategies.
At the heart of the episode is Erin’s practical LOVE framework, a four-step approach leaders can use immediately to create safer, more resilient, and more connected teams.
Inside This Episode:
Leadership in Heavy Times: How world events impact decision-making, morale, and team dynamicsPsychological Safety & Belonging: Why safety and trust are performance multipliers, not perksThe LOVE Framework: 1. Listen for what’s said (and unsaid), 2. Openly ask questions without needing all the answers, 3. Value core values as decision-making anchors, 4. Energize your team with intentional, positive energyRemote Leadership Presence: Simple ways to set the tone through daily messages and routinesEnergy at Work: Why your energy is the culture—and how to manage it intentionallyValues Alignment: Turning belonging, acceptance, and community into lived practicesLeading with Love: How kindness, compassion, and contribution create real impact
Who This Episode Is For:
Leaders carrying the emotional weight of their roleManagers navigating uncertainty, burnout, or disengagementPeople leaders building culture during challenging world momentsRemote and hybrid leaders setting tone without physical presenceAnyone who wants to lead with more humanity, clarity, and care
Your Freebie
You want to support your people the same way you want to be supported—but in fast, emotionally charged moments, the right words can be hard to find.
Enter, your free resource - Human Leadership in the Age of AI: An Empathy Playbook. It gives you a simple, 3-part list of human-first phrases you can use in meetings, emails, and one-on-ones.
Empathy isn’t extra anymore. It’s essential. Download your Empathy Playbook here.
Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!
Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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In this Workday Playdate, Erin tackles a leadership reality many people leaders are quietly carrying: when the world feels heavy, your team feels it too. This episode is a grounded guide for showing up with intention, presence, and care without pretending you have all the answers. Erin explores how global events, constant information overload, and emotional fatigue are showing up inside our workplaces, whether we acknowledge them or not. Drawing on research around psychological safety and belonging, she makes the case that empathy, kindness, and emotional awareness are core leadership strategies. At the heart of the episode is Erin’s practical LOVE framework, a four-step approach leaders can use immediately to create safer, more resilient, and more connected teams. Inside This Episode: Leadership in Heavy Times: How world events impact decision-making, morale, and team dynamicsPsychological Safety & Belonging: Why safety and trust are performance multipliers, not perksThe LOVE Framework: 1. Listen for what’s said (and unsaid), 2. Openly ask questions without needing all the answers, 3. Value core values as decision-making anchors, 4. Energize your team with intentional, positive energyRemote Leadership Presence: Simple ways to set the tone through daily messages and routinesEnergy at Work: Why your energy is the culture—and how to manage it intentionallyValues Alignment: Turning belonging, acceptance, and community into lived practicesLeading with Love: How kindness, compassion, and contribution create real impact Who This Episode Is For: Leaders carrying the emotional weight of their roleManagers navigating uncertainty, burnout, or disengagementPeople leaders building culture during challenging world momentsRemote and hybrid leaders setting tone without physical presenceAnyone who wants to lead with more humanity, clarity, and care Your Freebie You want to support your people the same way you want to be supported—but in fast, emotionally charged moments, the right words can be hard to find. Enter, your free resource - Human Leadership in the Age of AI: An Empathy Playbook. It gives you a simple, 3-part list of human-first phrases you can use in meetings, emails, and one-on-ones. Empathy isn’t extra anymore. It’s essential. Download your Empathy Playbook here. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.