About this episode

In this episode of The Fulfilled Leader, Jean Balfour shares a deeply personal and practical exploration of emotional resilience at work. From the subtle emotional triggers we experience in a single day to the more overwhelming waves of stress and anxiety that can derail us, Jean explores how leaders can strengthen their ability to stay grounded amidst pressure.

Jean recounts her own journey – including a difficult piece of feedback that changed the trajectory of her leadership – and outlines five powerful, research-backed strategies for managing emotional triggers and building lasting emotional strength. This episode is a supportive guide for leaders navigating complex challenges while wanting to stay calm, compassionate, and focused.

You’ll learn:

• Why emotional resilience matters more than ever for leaders today
• The surprising power of naming emotions
• How values and purpose can anchor us in tough moments
• A simple 3-step technique to “unhook” from reactive thoughts
• Why small recovery rituals throughout the day are essential

Whether you’re leading through crisis, juggling demands, or quietly wrestling with internal doubts, this episode is your reminder that strength doesn’t mean never feeling – it means knowing how to come back to centre.

Resources mentioned:

• The “mad, sad, glad, bad, scared” emotion check-in
• Box breathing and grounding techniques
• Journaling and diffusion practice