In an era where business is evolving faster than ever, traditional, top-down leadership models are rapidly being replaced by something far more powerful: emotional intelligence and servant leadership. These aren’t just buzzwords. They’re the real foundations of career growth, team engagement, and organizational success.
Angela Pappas knows exactly why.
She spent her early days deep in the tech trenches, leading software development teams and later launching cybersecurity initiatives at companies like Thomson Reuters and Tesla. But as her career unfolded, she discovered something unexpected: her real superpower wasn’t her technical know-how. It was her ability to listen, connect, and lead with heart.
That realization launched her into the world of coaching, organizational development, and talent transformation. And today, Angela helps companies and individuals unlock their greatest potential by cultivating trust, vulnerability, and connection.
EQ > IQ in Leadership
It’s easy to assume that business success is about intelligence, expertise, and execution. But Angela flips that script. She emphasizes that emotional intelligence (EQ), your ability to understand, regulate, and empathize with others, is far more predictive of outstanding leadership. In her words:
“Just because someone has amazing technical skills doesn’t make them an amazing people leader.”
Self-awareness, communication, and the ability to give and receive feedback are the real leadership qualities. Without them, even the smartest leaders can alienate their team or stall their own growth.
Servant Leadership Isn’t Soft. It’s Strategic.
Angela champions servant leadership, a model popularized by authors like Ken Blanchard. In this model, the goal is to elevate your team, not control them. It’s about asking, “How can I help you?” rather than saying, “Here’s what I need from you.”
In her career, Angela has seen firsthand how this people-centered approach leads to stronger engagement, higher retention, and far more innovative results. When leaders create a safe environment where people can fail fast, speak up, and collaborate freely, they unlock creativity and resilience that’s impossible in fear-based cultures.
Leadership Is a Jungle Gym, Not a Ladder.
One of Angela’s best takeaways? “Careers aren’t ladders anymore. They’re jungle gyms.” Success isn’t always up, up, up. Sometimes, the most impactful moves are lateral. Angela’s own path from cybersecurity to coaching proves that detours often lead to your greatest calling.
The Ripple Effect in Action
Angela’s story reminds us that how we lead at work, home, or in communities creates a Ripple Effect. The energy we bring into a room, the empathy we show, the connections we nurture all multiply even when we don’t see it.
To simplify:
Lead with curiosity
Listen with intention
Ask for feedback
Show up with humility
And most importantly, be the kind of leader you’d want to follow
Because in the end, emotional intelligence and servant leadership don’t just make you a better professional. They make you a better human.
Make sure to listen to the podcast from start to finish. Grab a pen and paper, if you can. You will learn a lot from this episode. That’s for sure.
What are your key takeaways? Let other Ripplers know in the comments below.
Connect with Angela Pappas: linkedin.com/in/angelapappas-learndevelop
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