The Inner Journey of Leadership: A Conversation with Kareena Jain

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the intersection of emotional intelligence and effective leadership has never been more crucial. This conversation explores the practical applications of emotional intelligence in leadership and offers actionable strategies for those looking to enhance their leadership capabilities.

About Kareena Jain

Kareena Jain is an Organizational Psychologist, L&D Specialist, and Coach with over 22 years of experience. After working with international brands like Right Management, IBM, Aricent & Whirlpool, she founded Artth – specializing in Deep Inner Work, Coaching, and Leadership Development.

Her approach blends eastern philosophy with western theories, and her global experience across India, USA, Europe, and Asia enables her to connect effectively with multicultural teams.

1. What drew you to executive coaching, and how has your perspective on leadership transformation evolved over your years of coaching?

   The transformative impact of coaching in unlocking potential and inspiring meaningful change is what drew me to this field. Over time, my perspective on leadership transformation has evolved to focus on deeper self-awareness and alignment between personal values and leadership actions. I’ve come to see leadership as a journey of continuous growth, where inner transformation creates lasting external impact on individuals, teams, and organizations. At Artth, I strive to foster a deeper connection between leaders and their purpose, helping them inspire change not only within their teams but also within themselves. Leadership transformation, to me, is about creating authentic leaders who drive lasting impact.

2. What emerging leadership challenges do you see that coaching needs to address? What are the most common resistance points you encounter when working with leaders?

   Emerging challenges include leading in volatile and uncertain environments, fostering psychological safety and trust in teams, and misalignment between vision and outcomes. Leaders also struggle with addressing generational gaps and maintaining well-being amidst high demands. Common resistance points often stem from fear of change, deeply rooted beliefs about control and authority, and the discomfort of confronting personal blind spots. Coaching needs to help leaders build resilience, adaptability, and inclusive leadership capabilities to navigate these complexities effectively.

3. Which aspects of emotional intelligence tend to have the biggest impact on leadership effectiveness?

   Self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation are the most influential aspects of emotional intelligence in leadership. Self-awareness enables leaders to understand their strengths, limitations, and triggers, fostering intentional decision-making. Empathy helps leaders connect with their teams on a deeper level, building trust and collaboration. Emotional regulation ensures leaders remain composed and responsive during challenging situations, inspiring confidence in those they lead. When these aspects are integrated, they empower leaders to navigate complexities, adapt to change, and drive meaningful impact.

4. What strategies have you found most effective in helping leaders build stronger connections with their teams?

   To build stronger connections, leaders need to embrace vulnerability by sharing their challenges and being open about their own growth journey. This openness fosters trust, as team members feel they are engaging with an authentic leader. Creating psychological safety is also essential, leaders need to create environments where individuals feel comfortable speaking up, offering feedback, and expressing differing viewpoints without fear of negative consequences. Trust grows when leaders support their teams emotionally, demonstrate empathy, and consistently follow through on commitments.

5. What daily practices do you recommend for leaders to develop their emotional intelligence?

   To enhance emotional intelligence, leaders can incorporate several practices into their daily routine that foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy.

   a. Keeping a journal is an excellent way to reflect on daily experiences and emotions, helping leaders track patterns and triggers.

   b. Regularly seeking feedback from team members, peers, and mentors encourages continuous growth and provides new perspectives on emotional responses and leadership effectiveness.

   c. Self-reflection is a powerful tool. Setting aside time each day to evaluate how emotions influence decisions, interactions, and outcomes.

   d. Leaders can practice emotional regulation by taking mindful pauses before reacting in high-pressure situations.

   e. Daily check-ins with team members build empathy, and gratitude exercises enhance emotional positivity.

   By adopting these practices, leaders cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their teams, empowering them to lead with greater emotional intelligence.

6. How do you help leaders translate EI concepts into practical leadership behaviors?

   To help leaders translate emotional intelligence (EI) concepts into practical leadership behaviors, I focus on tangible actions tied to core EI principles.

   a. Self-regulation is developed by identifying emotional triggers and using belief formation techniques, where leaders challenge and reshape limiting beliefs, followed by affirmations to reinforce positive emotional responses in stressful situations.

   b. Empathy becomes a behavior when leaders make an effort to actively listen and understand their team members' emotions, validating their experiences and offering support.

   c. Self-awareness is cultivated by reflecting on daily experiences and journaling to identify patterns in emotional responses, which helps leaders adjust their behavior for better outcomes.
   

7. How do you help leaders identify their authentic leadership style versus what they think they should be? How has being a coach transformed your own leadership perspective?

   I guide leaders to reflect on their values, strengths, and defining moments to uncover their authentic leadership style. By contrasting external expectations with internal truths, they discover what resonates most deeply with their purpose. Coaching transforms leadership perspective by reinforcing the importance of empathy, deep listening, and staying true to one’s core values while fostering growth in others.

   Coaching has profoundly transformed my journey. It has deepened my self-awareness, allowing me to understand my strengths, vulnerabilities, and areas for growth in a way that was not possible before. Through coaching, I have developed a greater sense of care—not just for others, but for myself as well. I’ve learned to be more compassionate toward my own challenges, embracing them as part of my growth process.

8. What are some self-coaching practices leaders can adopt between sessions?

   In between coaching sessions, leaders can adopt several self-coaching practices to continue their growth journey.

   a. Mental rehearsal is a valuable tool—leaders can visualize themselves navigating challenging situations with emotional intelligence, reinforcing their desired outcomes and leadership behaviors.

   b. Thought reframing can be used to shift limiting beliefs or negative self-talk into more empowering and productive perspectives.

   c. Another useful practice is daily intention setting, where leaders outline their emotional and behavioral goals for the day, ensuring they approach each interaction with purpose.

   d. Tracking emotional progress through a simple log helps identify recurring emotional patterns, allowing for conscious adjustments.

   e. Engaging in gratitude practices, by listing things they are grateful for, helps build a positive mindset and resilience.

9. What role does emotional intelligence play in building inclusive leadership?

   Emotional intelligence is central to inclusive leadership as it begins with inner self management—developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. Leaders who manage their inner selves effectively can empathize authentically, navigate their own biases, and approach diversity with openness and curiosity. This self-mastery enables them to create psychologically safe spaces where every individual feels valued, heard and empowered to contribute. This not only drives inclusivity but also unleashes the collective potential of teams, transforming the way organizations approach collaboration and innovation.

Conclusion:

Leadership development is not merely about acquiring new skills, but rather embarking on a journey of continuous self-discovery and growth. The insights shared throughout this interview highlight how emotional intelligence serves as the foundation for authentic, inclusive leadership that can thrive in today's complex environment.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, these practices and perspectives provide valuable guidance for developing deeper self-awareness, building stronger connections with teams, and creating lasting positive impact in your organization.

In a world that increasingly demands both empathy and effectiveness from its leaders, these reflections serve as a timely reminder that true leadership transformation begins from within.

Disclaimer: Views expressed here and on bytesnbreaths.com are our personal opinions based on our experiences and do not reflect those of our current or past employers