Welcome to the Strategic EQ Blog!

The Art of Keeping Tough Conversations Constructive
Zabrina Mok Zabrina Mok

The Art of Keeping Tough Conversations Constructive

Tough conversations at work? Here’s what real leaders do to keep things from getting personal:

  • Re-state the goal. When things get heated, bring everyone back to the shared purpose. “Let’s refocus on solving the problem before us.”

  • Stay curious. If you don’t know, listen more. Ask for plain language. Curiosity keeps egos in check.

  • Chew before you speak. Pause, breathe, and choose your words. Sometimes, a touch of humor can shift the whole energy.

  • Set boundaries. Define what you want out of the conversation-and know when to walk away if respect is lost.

  • Adapt. No one-size-fits-all. Sometimes you need to pause, sometimes you need to listen, sometimes you need to clarify.

The best leaders know: tough talks aren’t about winning-they’re about clarity and connection.

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How Great Leaders Stay Curious
Zabrina Mok Zabrina Mok

How Great Leaders Stay Curious

Explore new LinkedIn poll results on how professionals maintain curiosity as experts. Discover why inviting junior voices, active listening, and humility are essential for lifelong learning and innovation.

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The Power of the Pause: Why It’s the #1 Skill for Communicating Under Pressure
Zabrina Mok Zabrina Mok

The Power of the Pause: Why It’s the #1 Skill for Communicating Under Pressure

Taking a breath-literally-before responding is more than a moment of silence. It’s a strategic act of self-regulation and clarity. As Forbes and leadership experts highlight, pausing in conversation allows for genuine connection and prevents the pitfalls of over-explaining or reacting impulsively. This pause is where all clarity begins.

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Beyond Networking: How Peer Groups Create Transformational Leadership Connections
Zabrina Mok Zabrina Mok

Beyond Networking: How Peer Groups Create Transformational Leadership Connections

The benefits of peer groups are clear. They sharpen your leadership skills, broaden your perspective, and offer a crucial sense of connection. But most importantly, peer groups remind you that you’re never truly alone in your leadership challenges.

Are you ready to take the next step in your transformational leadership journey? Whether you want to join an existing peer group or create your own, start reaching out today. Cultivate meaningful relationships, seek diverse voices, and create a space where growth happens.

Leadership isn’t just about climbing to the top; it’s about the people who climb with you. Build your tribe, lean into their support, and watch your leadership soar.

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How Emotional Intelligence Powers Innovation
Zabrina Mok Zabrina Mok

How Emotional Intelligence Powers Innovation

Picture this: Sarah, a brilliant tech CEO I coached, was struggling to get her team to innovate. They had the skills, the resources, and the market opportunity. But something was missing. The game-changer? It wasn't a new framework or methodology – it was emotional intelligence (EQ). Within six months of focusing on EQ, her team launched two breakthrough products that transformed their market position.

Let me show you exactly how emotional intelligence can spark innovation in your tech company, based on my 20 years of coaching female tech leaders.

The Innovation-EQ Connection: Why It Matters Now

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Shift from Validation to Value
Zabrina Mok Zabrina Mok

Shift from Validation to Value

In this article, I explore how to overcome imposter syndrome and strengthen your personal brand by shifting from seeking validation to creating consistent value. I share my personal experience of scaling my consulting practice and how focusing on actionable content, rather than engagement metrics, transformed my approach to social media. This shift helped me build authentic connections with my audience and move past self-doubt. If you're looking to create more value and overcome the pressures of validation, this piece offers actionable insights for building a more genuine online presence.

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