EI in Leadership: Understanding Executive Functioning Challenges and Mitigating Misunderstandings

Workshop Outline
 
Objectives for Attendees
Deepen self-awareness of emotional triggers and biases
Practice self-regulation techniques in high-pressure situations
Cultivate empathy through structured inquiry
Strengthen social-interaction skills to build psychological safety
 
1. Welcome and Framing
Brief introduction to workshop goals and agenda
Poll: One word that describes an empathetic leader
Overview of emotional intelligence pillars in a leadership context
 
2. Case Study Presentation
Profile of a high-performing project coordinator with undisclosed autism and executive functioning challenges
 
3. Assumption vs. Alternative
·Leaders compare their initial judgments about the coordinator’s behavior with more inclusive explanations.
 
4. Real-Time Empathy Prompts Brainstorm   
 Leaders co-create a toolkit of open-ended questions to surface hidden needs.
 
5. Action Planning and Commitment
Choose one habit to strengthen psychological safety in the workplace
 
6. Resources and Next Steps
Digital toolkit:
Vignette templates for ongoing practice