In this episode of Mind the Machine, we sit down with executive coach Renita Kolhorn to explore why emotional intelligence is becoming more important than raw IQ for founders, leaders, and decision-makers navigating AI-driven change.
Renita shares insights from her work with entrepreneurs, military special forces, and high-performing executives, breaking down how emotions influence behavior, decision-making, and leadership under pressure. She explains why emotions are often misunderstood, how survival triggers shape our reactions, and why discipline, awareness, and practice are essential leadership skills.
We also dig into how AI changes the leadership landscape. As machines take over more analytical tasks, the uniquely human skills of emotional mastery, intuition, observation, and self-awareness become even more critical. This conversation challenges leaders to slow down, notice what is happening around them, and strengthen their sense of self in an increasingly automated world.
If you are building, leading, or investing in the future of technology, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how mastering emotions can unlock better decisions, stronger relationships, and more resilient leadership.
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and opening clip on emotions
00:45 Why emotional intelligence matters for modern leadership
01:43 Renita’s background: Juilliard, martial arts, and executive coaching
05:41 Discipline, focus, and deliberate practice
08:29 Emotional mastery and performance under pressure
10:30 “Emotions are just chemicals” explained
12:04 Managing emotions versus suppressing them
14:33 The FAST framework: survival triggers that drive behavior
17:30 Do you need to dig into the past to change behavior?
19:10 Practicing new leadership behaviors
22:00 Why EQ matters more than IQ in an AI-driven world
25:35 AI, decision-making, and the limits of data
28:11 Intuition versus ego and how to tell the difference
32:24 Slowing down to access intuition
35:18 Pattern recognition and discernment in leadership
38:07 AI, identity, and the need for a strong sense of self
41:20 Feedback, self-worth, and AI as a mirror
44:07 One practical habit leaders can start today
47:24 Closing thoughts and wrap-up