The Sharpening Stone of Leadership: Insights from Faris Aranki In this episode of the How2-Change Words of Wisdom podcast, Faris Aranki delivers a thought-provoking leadership lesson: “Be the one to flex, not others.” Drawing on his expertise in blending emotional intelligence with strategic thinking, Faris explains why flexibility is a critical skill for modern leaders navigating complex challenges in today’s fast-changing world. Meet Faris Aranki Faris is the founder of a consultancy focused on helping leaders sharpen their emotional intelligence and strategic skills. With a career spanning corporate strategy, teaching, and entrepreneurship, Faris has become a trusted advisor for leaders looking to foster collaboration, build resilience, and drive meaningful change. His unique approach makes him a standout voice in leadership transformation. Key Themes in This Episode: The Sharpening Stone of Leadership Faris uses this metaphor to illustrate the importance of refining one’s leadership style. Just as a sharpening stone hones a blade, leaders must continuously adapt and polish their approach to inspire and connect with others. Emotional Intelligence in Action Faris shares how emotional intelligence can be a powerful tool for understanding and aligning with team dynamics. His actionable insights equip leaders to handle resistance constructively and foster trust within their teams. Flexibility as a Leadership Strength Faris emphasises the value of adapting to the needs of others as a way to build alignment and drive collaboration. His examples highlight how flexibility can transform team dynamics and enable leaders to overcome resistance in high-stakes environments. Building Resilience Through Adaptability Discover how leaders can use self-awareness and adaptability to navigate complex situations, manage change effectively, and inspire confidence in their teams. Why Listen? Faris Aranki’s insights offer a fresh perspective on leadership. His approach combines emotional intelligence, flexibility, and strategic thinking to help leaders build trust, overcome resistance, and drive meaningful change. Whether you’re managing a team, navigating transformation, or striving to sharpen your leadership skills, this episode provides practical advice for achieving sustainable success. Discover How2-Change At How2-Change, we specialise in helping leaders and organisations navigate complexity with confidence. From rapid diagnostics like the How2-Change Reality Check® to frameworks like M&A in a Box, we provide the tools, insights, and strategies to turn challenges into opportunities. Listen to the Full Episode on Your Favourite Platform: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@how2-Change?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/how2-change ⁠ Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/sr/podcast/how2-change-words-of-wisdom/id1775410759 ⁠ Keywords: leadership flexibility insights, sharpening leadership skills, Faris Aranki leadership tips, emotional intelligence in leadership, adaptability in corporate strategy, leadership transformation strategies, practical leadership strategies for corporate success, sharpening emotional intelligence for team management, leadership tools for fostering collaboration, flexible leadership techniques for change management, overcoming resistance in team management, blending emotional intelligence with strategy, inspiring leadership podcasts, building trust through emotional intelligence, empowering leaders through adaptability, self-awareness in leadership, tools for adapting leadership to diverse teams. Hashtags: #leadershipinsights #podcast #successquotes #leadershippodcast #tedtalk