Ep 136 Positive Intelligence with Corinna Freitag

The Edges of Lean

Do you consider yourself to be “good with people?" Some of us are born with the skill of creating relationships and working well with others; some of us struggle, especially people whose strengths are in science and technology, and we all could learn to be better at it! Whether you are a natural "people person" or not, Corinna Freitag has essential advice for all of us about the trait of positive intelligence and how it can enhance our work and personal relationships.

Corinna Freitag

Corinna Freitag is an Executive Coach, Advisor, and Speaker with over 30 years of expertise in natural and human sciences, spanning academia, industry, and continuing education. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry and is a certified Executive Coach. She earned her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the gold standard in professional coaching.

With a career that has taken her across multiple countries, Corinna spent over 18 years working globally in the automotive and chemical industries. She has held diverse roles, collaborating with colleagues at all levels—from the shop floor to Senior Vice Presidents. Her extensive experience ultimately led her to serve as the Global Operational Excellence Leader for over five years.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:

00:02:19 - Challenges for STEM Professionals in Management

00:05:01 - Client Struggles with Social Skills

00:06:03 - Neurodivergence and Technical Focus

00:07:02 - Rewiring the Brain and Changing Habits

00:10:05 - Coaching Approach: Assessments and Targets

00:15:09 - Coaching Style: Directive vs. Non-Directive

00:20:01 - Emotional Intelligence and Career Advancement

00:23:15 - Client Success Stories

00:29:48 - Positive Intelligence Explained

00:39:41 - Advice for Young Professionals

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Positive intelligence is approaching challenges with a positive mindset.
• Some STEM professionals struggle with social skills and building relationships.
• It is possible to change and improve social skills with practice and coaching.
• Assessments and goal-setting are vital tools in coaching to track progress and measure improvement.
• The concept of positive intelligence helps rewire the brain and change habits.
• Building empathy and understanding for others is crucial in improving relationships and resolving conflicts.
• Training mental toughness is a positive mindset that can help individuals overcome challenges and thrive in work and life.

Memorable Quotes From Corinna Freitag

"Train your mental toughness... handle challenges with a positive rather than a negative mindset”

CONNECT WITH Corinna Freitag

Website: https://www.corinnafreitag.de/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcorinnafreitag/