In Episode 254 of The Pausecast, Rachael sits down with her friend and colleague Wendy Chin, an EQ coach and executive recruiter, to unpack something many high-achieving tech leaders know all too well: the higher you rise, the less your technical expertise alone can carry you. 🧠

Wendy shares practical ways she uses the pause to regulate nerves and get grounded, from wiggling her toes in a meeting to jogging in place and even imagining herself on a boat when she needs to breathe, reset, and come back to center. 🛶

The conversation explores Wendy’s path from HR, executive search, and recruiting into emotional intelligence coaching, and why self-awareness and adaptability become critical leadership skills as your scope expands.

One of my favorite concepts is the difference between being a strong functional leader, an “i,” and becoming a broader enterprise leader, a “t.” It’s the shift from being known for what you know to being trusted for how you lead, influence, and navigate complexity.

We also get real about the emotional armor so many leaders build to survive high-pressure environments. The belief that emotions don’t belong at work might have helped you climb the ladder, but at some point, that same armor can start getting in the way of the influence, connection, and confidence you need next.

💡 Because emotional intelligence isn’t about becoming “more emotional.” It’s about becoming more aware, more adaptable, and more intentional in the moments that matter.

If you’re navigating bigger leadership expectations, questioning how you show up, or realizing that your next level requires more than technical excellence, this conversation is for you.

Watch on YouTube if you prefer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bshHryTZj6k&feature=youtu.be

What if the next step in your career isn't about pushing harder... but pausing long enough to hear yourself think? 🤔

In this episode, I sit down with my former colleague Becky van der Werff to explore her journey from Google to entrepreneurship and what it really takes to navigate a career pivot with confidence.

Becky said it best, “Growth begins the moment you trust yourself enough to change.”

We unpack burnout, self doubt, resilience, and why some of the biggest leadership breakthroughs begin with creating space to reflect.

If you've been wondering whether you're ready for your next chapter, this conversation is for you.

✨ How to know when you've outgrown your role

🧠 Navigating self doubt and imposter syndrome during change

🌿 Why reflection is a leadership advantage, not a luxury

💪 Building resilience and confidence through uncertainty

🚀 Creating a career that's aligned with who you are today

🔗 Connect with Becky on LinkedIn

💛 If this episode resonated, share it with another leader who's navigating change, and leave a review to help more high-achieving tech leaders discover The Pausecast.

"Without the people, there is no company." - Janice Litvin

Burnout is often framed as a personal problem to solve.

Practice more self-care.

Set better boundaries.

Become more resilient.

In this conversation, burnout prevention expert, speaker, and author Janice Litvin joins me to explore why burnout is a two-way street between people and organizations.

We discuss how leaders can create healthier, more sustainable workplaces while navigating AI, increasing workloads, and constant change.

Janice shares her journey from tech recruiting during the 2008 financial crisis to becoming a leading voice in burnout prevention.

Together, we unpack the role of emotional intelligence, the importance of psychological safety, and why the "glue skills" that build trust and connection may become even more valuable in the years ahead.

If you're leading a team, navigating uncertainty, or simply trying to stay grounded in a rapidly changing world, this conversation offers practical tools and an important reminder: people are still at the heart of every successful organization.

Moments Worth Pausing For:

5:10 || Burnout Is a Two-Way Street

Burnout isn't just an employee problem. Janice explains why organizations, leaders, and workplace systems play a significant role in either preventing or contributing to burnout.

10:50 || The Power of Glue Skills

As AI reshapes the workplace, human skills like connection, trust, communication, and emotional intelligence become even more valuable. These "glue skills" help teams thrive and can't be automated.

12:10 || What the CMU Recruiting Story Reveals

Janice shared the story of a talented CMU engineering candidate who never interacted with a human during the hiring process(!) A powerful reminder that technology should enhance human connection, not replace it.

18:00 | Pause Before You React

Janice's STOP framework, a cousin to Pause:
Stop. Take a Breath. Observe. Proceed.

A simple practice that helps us respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively when stress levels rise.

21:40 | Psychological Safety Starts with Leadership

Leaders can help prevent burnout by creating environments where employees feel safe speaking up, asking for help, sharing feedback, and bringing their full selves to work.

Key Takeaways

The future of work isn't just about technology, it's about how we lead people through change.

The organizations that thrive won't simply adopt the latest tools. They'll create cultures where people feel supported, valued, and connected. As Janice reminds us, caring for people isn't separate from business success. It's a critical part of it.

Watch the Video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj4Xcli_CYA&t=11s