How to Master Your Emotions to Become a Better Leader

How to Master Your Emotions to Become a Better Leader

From Love in Action by Marcel Schwantes

March 13, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 262

About this episode

Marcel Schwantes interviews Joshua Freedman about emotional intelligence and leadership based on Freedman's new book, Emotion Rules.

Episode recap In this powerful conversation, Marcel sits down with Joshua Freedman, a global leader in emotional intelligence and the CEO of Six Seconds, to explore the ideas behind his new book, Emotion Rules. Drawing from 30 years of research and more than a million emotional intelligence assessments, Joshua shares why he believes we are living through an “emotional recession” and what leaders must do about it. Joshua discusses how many leaders struggle with old patterns that no longer serve them, especially when moving from being a high-performing doer to a leader who must grow others. Marcel highlights two major shifts leaders must make: from knowing to learning, and from doing to being. The episode closes with a fast-paced speed round and reflections on what it truly means to lead with practical, actionable love in business. Bio: Joshua Freedman is CEO and cofounder of Six Seconds, the world’s largest emotional intelligence network. A pioneer in applying EQ to business and social impact, he directs The State of the Heart study, a landmark longitudinal analysis tracking global trends in emotional intelligence, which first identified the “Emotional Recession” – a sustained…

People in this episode

Guest: Joshua Freedman

Topics covered

  • emotional intelligence
  • leadership
  • personal development
  • business
  • organizational culture

Keywords

  • emotional recession
  • leadership growth
  • high-performing doer
  • learning
  • being
  • practical love
  • emotional intelligence assessments
  • organizational resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Emotion Rules, Six Seconds

Books & works: Emotion Rules, The State of the Heart

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