Respond With Intention: Emotional Intelligence in Times of Change with Caroline Stokes (S10:Epi 273)
Tue Jan 27 2026
In this episode Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Caroline Stokes, leadership strategist, Fifth Industrial Revolution, for a grounded conversation about intentional learning, emotional intelligence, and navigating change at work with clarity.
They explore how emotional intelligence can quietly influence your career, both positively and negatively, especially during moments of uncertainty or transition. Caroline introduces the four common responses to workplace shifts: flight, freeze, fight, and fawn, and explains why understanding your default reaction is key to moving forward with intention instead of operating on autopilot. Once you know where you are, you can begin to choose a mindset that supports growth rather than stress or stagnation.
The conversation also dives into thinking ahead in your career, learning with purpose, and handling disruption without losing momentum. Drawing from her books Elephants Before Unicorns and Aftershock, Caroline shares practical insights for leaders who want to respond thoughtfully to change instead of reacting out of fear.
This episode is for anyone facing shifts at work and looking to lead themselves, and their careers, with greater awareness and intention.
A Sony alum who contributed to the launch of PlayStation, and a PCC-level, EQ 2.0–certified coach, Caroline has evolved from executive headhunter to one of the few global authorities on psychological and strategic leadership reinvention.
ABOUT CAROLINE STOKES, CEC:
Website - The Forward Co
LinkedIn - Caroline Stokes, CEC
Books:
Elephants Before Unicorns: Emotionally Intellignet HR Strategies to Save Your Company
Aftershock to 2030: A CEO's Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate, and Societal Collapse
ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless
More
In this episode Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Caroline Stokes, leadership strategist, Fifth Industrial Revolution, for a grounded conversation about intentional learning, emotional intelligence, and navigating change at work with clarity. They explore how emotional intelligence can quietly influence your career, both positively and negatively, especially during moments of uncertainty or transition. Caroline introduces the four common responses to workplace shifts: flight, freeze, fight, and fawn, and explains why understanding your default reaction is key to moving forward with intention instead of operating on autopilot. Once you know where you are, you can begin to choose a mindset that supports growth rather than stress or stagnation. The conversation also dives into thinking ahead in your career, learning with purpose, and handling disruption without losing momentum. Drawing from her books Elephants Before Unicorns and Aftershock, Caroline shares practical insights for leaders who want to respond thoughtfully to change instead of reacting out of fear. This episode is for anyone facing shifts at work and looking to lead themselves, and their careers, with greater awareness and intention. A Sony alum who contributed to the launch of PlayStation, and a PCC-level, EQ 2.0–certified coach, Caroline has evolved from executive headhunter to one of the few global authorities on psychological and strategic leadership reinvention. ABOUT CAROLINE STOKES, CEC: Website - The Forward Co LinkedIn - Caroline Stokes, CEC Books: Elephants Before Unicorns: Emotionally Intellignet HR Strategies to Save Your Company Aftershock to 2030: A CEO's Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate, and Societal Collapse ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless