In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Dr. Johanna Pagonis. She is the CEO and founder of Sinogap Solutions Leadership Consulting, and the author of Choose to Be a Leader Others Would Want to Follow. Dr. Pagonis launched Sinogap Solutions after recognizing many habitual workplace challenges while in her role as a manager. Her workplace experiences contributed to her attaining a Ph.D. in adult education, with a focus on uncovering how workplace managers can advance into emotionally intelligent leaders. The discoveries she made inspired her to quit her senior management position with the Government of Alberta and launch her own business. Since the full-time establishment of Sinogap Solutions in 2020, Dr. Pagonis’ firm has worked with over 50 companies to develop customized leadership programs that have successfully equipped supervisors and managers with the skills necessary to maximize the human potential within their teams. She also hosts a podcast called Tackle Tuesdays that addresses meaningful topics that challenge us in the workplace.

Highlights from this interview include:

• The necessity of trust and relationships within a team for success 

• Understanding and working through the systems we’re born into

• The importance of safe spaces/psychological safety in the workplace 

• Practising self-compassion, especially in our mistakes and failures 

• Listening to the champion and challenger within yourself to stay motivated yet humble