Proven strategies for navigating the
emotional complexities facing today's leaders.
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About the Book
The workplace has transformed in recent years, dramatically heightening the expectations and emotional demands placed on leaders.
Leaders today must safeguard their teams’ mental health and combat burnout (while managing their own), inspire a diverse and distributed workforce, allay employee fears of job security while championing AI, and show endless empathy—all while delivering results at a relentless pace. And that’s just a Tuesday.
Even worse, leaders haven’t been equipped with the emotional skills needed to navigate these complex demands, and organizations often overlook the emotional labor they are shouldering. It’s no wonder leaders are burning out at alarming rates.
Emotionally Charged fills this critical gap, sharing practical, science-based strategies to help leaders manage the intense pressures and emotional complexities they now face so they can lead successfully and maintain their well-being.
From preparing for emotionally charged meetings to managing triggers, leading through conflict, supporting distressed team members, delivering difficult feedback and unwelcome news, and building resilience—Emotionally Charged equips leaders with the tools they need to thrive.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your copy of Emotionally Charged and buy one for your friend or colleague while you’re at it.
Cheers to better days at work,
Dina
Praise For Emotionally Charged
Adam Grant
​
#1 New York Times bestselling author of
"THINK AGAIN" and "HIDDEN POTENTIAL,"
and host of the TED podcast WorkLife
“A convincing case that ignoring emotions at work is no longer an option. Grounded in the latest evidence and informed by extensive practical experience, Emotionally Charged is an immediately actionable resource for leaders to level up their emotional skills.”
Chip Conley
​
Founder of Joie de Vivre Hotels,
and New York Times bestselling author of
"PEAK" and "EMOTIONAL EQUATIONS"
“Think emotions should be left at the office door? This book will change your mind. Emotionally Charged offers practical guidance for managing the complex emotional demands of leadership today, ensuring your success and well-being go hand-in-hand. Every leader should read this book!”
Amy C Edmondson
​
Novartis Professor of Leadership, Harvard Business School
Bestselling author of "RIGHT KIND OF WRONG"
and "THE FEARLESS ORGANIZATION"
“An invaluable resource for today’s leaders. Grounded in research and deeply practical, this book can help anyone be more effective and more fulfilled at work.”
Sarah Friar​
​
CFO, OpenAI
and Former CEO, Nextdoor
“This is an essential read for leaders who value kindness and want to enhance organizational performance. It offers powerful insights and practical tools that resonate deeply, especially for those of us who have experienced the challenges of hybrid teams and are striving to lead effectively in a new business paradigm. Transform your leadership now!”
Kofi Bruce
​
CFO, General Mills
“In a world where the personal and professional blend together like never before, it is a business imperative to know how to help employees address external challenges. Emotionally Charged offers unflinching insight into the toll this can take on leaders and provides practical tools to help them succeed in this complex landscape.”
BJ Jenkins
​
President, Palo Alto Networks
“Wherever you are in your career journey, Emotionally Charged will inspire you to think differently about how you lead. The perfect blend of hands-on coaching advice and scientific insights, it's a powerful guide to managing interpersonal complexities and steering your team (and yourself!) to greater heights. If you read just one book this year, make it this one!”
Dorie Clark
​
Executive education faculty, Columbia Business School;
WSJ bestselling author of "THE LONG GAME"
"This book is a masterclass in managing the emotional complexities of leadership. Filled with practical tools and strategies to navigate interpersonal dynamics, it's a must-read for every leader who values their team's well-being and high performance."
Jeff Henderson
​
Former CFO, Cardinal Health
and former President, Eli Lilly
Historically, I have not been a big fan of many business “how to” books, as they tend to recycle tired generalities--but this book is a huge exception. Being a business leader has never been more difficult. Managing in this environment requires emotional strength and resilience that must be learned and strengthened. Emotionally Charged provides the strategies and tools to do just that.
Jennifer Kurkoski
​
People Analytics Director, Google
"No one trying to lead today believes that work is just business as usual. Emotionally Charged helped me identify the new challenges leaders face, build value for my team, and reinvest in myself. It offers an invaluable map to navigating today's transformed work landscape."
Jane Dutton, PhD
​
Robert L. Kahn Distinguished University Professor Emerita, University of Michigan;
Author of "ENERGIZE YOUR WORKPLACE"
and "AWAKENING COMPASSION AT WORK"
“Emotionally Charged makes a compelling, fact-based case for the complex emotional demands of leadership. Thankfully this book also provides practical, scientifically-based strategies for upskilling our emotional capabilities to deal with these demands and help ourselves and others thrive. This is a must-have book for leaders but also for anyone trying to navigate emotionally demanding situations at work or at home.”
Ruth Gotian
​
CLO, Weill Cornell Medicine
“In a world where the dynamics of the workplace are constantly evolving, Emotionally Charged is the beacon leaders need. This book merges scientific rigor with practical wisdom, dismantling outdated leadership paradigms and equipping leaders with actionable strategies to thrive. It's an essential read that will transform your approach to leadership and become a cornerstone in leadership development.”
Dana H. Born
​
Harvard Kennedy School
Former Brigadier General, US Air Force
"As a leader, I was often asked to state my position “unemotionally.” But why should I or anyone else discount one’s heart and passion that fuels their purpose? This book provides real-world insight for every leader finding themselves in that position, and the wisdom and path forward to lead more effectively."
James Gross
​
Ernest R. Hilgard Professor of Psychology at Stanford University
“Workplace leadership is more demanding today than ever before. Hybrid teams, accelerating technological changes, growing employee expectations, and societal polarization are creating stiff new challenges for leaders and managers. In Emotionally Charged, Smith and Grandey address these challenges head on by sharing their deep executive coaching and academic expertise in “feeling work.” Scientifically grounded, practical, and timely, I recommend this book for anyone who wants to become a more effective and resilient leader.”
Michael Hosie
​
Deloitte Advisor
Former U.S. Army Colonel