EQ Skills for Leaders
(Without the Kumbaya)!
A four-part, performance-based talk series that turns technical experts into empathic, inspiring leaders.
Neil Bierbaum | Master Certified Coach (MCC) | MPhil Leadership Coaching (cum laude) | 10,000+ Coaching Hours | Johannesburg, South Africa & Global
EQ Skills for Leaders (Without the Kumbaya)!
A four-part, performance-based talk series that turns technical experts into empathic, inspiring leaders.
Neil Bierbaum | Master Certified Coach (MCC) | MPhil Leadership Coaching (cum laude) | 10,000+ Coaching Hours | Johannesburg, South Africa & Global
EQ Skills for Leaders (Without the Kumbaya)!
A four-part, performance-based talk series that turns technical experts into empathic, inspiring leaders.
Neil Bierbaum | Master Certified Coach (MCC) | MPhil Leadership Coaching (cum laude) | 10,000+ Coaching Hours | Johannesburg, South Africa & Global
Why EQ Skills for Leaders Matter
Your best technical people earned promotion through expertise — not management training. Now they’re expected to lead teams, delegate, and communicate with clarity.
They need EQ training, and conversational tools.
But EQ and empathy need to make sense. It can’t just be kumbaya for the sake of it. It certainly can’t be about faking feelings.
EQ Skills for Leaders is a four-session talk series designed to:
- Reframe EQ in a way that makes sense to analytical minds
- Improve tolerance for different working styles
- Build trust using neuroscience-backed conversational tools
- Introduce a practical 5-step conversation framework
Why EQ Skills for Leaders Matter
Your best technical people earned promotion through expertise — not management training. Now they’re expected to lead teams, delegate, and communicate with clarity.
They need EQ training, and conversational tools.
But EQ and empathy need to make sense. It can’t just be kumbaya for the sake of it. It certainly can’t be about faking feelings.
EQ Skills for Leaders is a four-session talk series designed to:
- Reframe EQ in a way that makes sense to analytical minds
- Improve tolerance for different working styles
- Build trust using neuroscience-backed conversational tools
- Introduce a practical 5-step conversation framework
Why EQ Skills for Leaders Matter
Your best technical people earned promotion through expertise — not management training. Now they’re expected to lead teams, delegate, and communicate with clarity.
They need EQ training, and conversational tools.
But EQ and empathy need to make sense. It can’t just be kumbaya for the sake of it. It certainly can’t be about faking feelings.
EQ Skills for Leaders is a four-session talk series designed to:
- Reframe EQ in a way that makes sense to analytical minds
- Improve tolerance for different working styles
- Build trust using neuroscience-backed conversational tools
- Introduce a practical 5-step conversation framework
Talk Themes
#1 Developing EQ & Empathy
Based on a logical, performance-based approach.
Technically oriented people often feel that dealing with the soft stuff (like EQ) is a meaningless waste of time. That changes when it gets reframed as a more productive way to enquire into someone else’s process for the sake of improved mutual understanding and therefore better outcomes. In this talk, Neil initiates a quantum shift in EQ skills for leaders. He presents a four quadrant model of awareness that makes practical sense in a way that most technical people buy into it and feel energised to start practising it immediately
#2 Tolerating Differences
Working with diverse opinions, workstyles and outputs.
Technical specialists tend to get stuck on a right and a wrong way of doing things and a right and a wrong answer to most problems. This talk is about recognising differences, not only in demographic factors, but also in terms of values, work styles, and problem-solving approaches. It engages the audience to see the benefits that lie in such differences and opens the possibility of being more tolerant—not for the sake of being nice, but for the sake of better results. It’s an EQ skill that makes sense.
#3 Conversational Intelligence
A neuroscience model that builds trust.
Neuroscience has shown that the brain is constantly scanning the environment for signals of trustworthiness. Trust is signalled when a person uses a more collaborative style of language. Technically strong people tend to hold their ideas quite strongly and so use less collaborative language. This leads to adversity in teams more than trust. This EQ Skills for Leaders talk builds on the previous two and introduces a scientifically verified communication framework that can be used within technical conversations to increase collaboration and trust—a desirable outcome for leaders.
#4 Leader As Coach
Learn to lead like a coach.
When people get promoted based on their technical expertise and experience, they tend to want to hold onto that perceived advantage. This can lead to their withholding knowledge and information from the very people—their juniors—whom they should be sharing it with. Such behaviour results in everybody working at the wrong level and puts a lid on individual and company growth. It’s a leadership train wreck. This talk introduces both the benefits and the techniques for leading as a coach. It’s an EQ skill for leaders that sets everybody, including the company, on a growth trajectory.
The EQ Skills for Leaders Talk Series is developed & presented by Neil Bierbaum, BCom, MPhil, MCC — based on his decades of business leadership and leadership coaching experience, and supported by evidence-based research.
Talk Themes
#1 Developing EQ & Empathy
Based on a logical, performance-based approach.
Technically oriented people often feel that dealing with the soft stuff (like EQ) is a meaningless waste of time. That changes when it gets reframed as a more productive way to enquire into someone else’s process for the sake of improved mutual understanding and therefore better outcomes. In this talk, Neil initiates a quantum shift in EQ skills for leaders. He presents a four quadrant model of awareness that makes practical sense in a way that most technical people buy into it and feel energised to start practising it immediately
#2 Tolerating Differences
Working with diverse opinions, workstyles and outputs.
Technical specialists tend to get stuck on a right and a wrong way of doing things and a right and a wrong answer to most problems. This talk is about recognising differences, not only in demographic factors, but also in terms of values, work styles, and problem-solving approaches. It engages the audience to see the benefits that lie in such differences and opens the possibility of being more tolerant—not for the sake of being nice, but for the sake of better results. It’s an EQ skill that makes sense.
#3 Conversational Intelligence
A neuroscience model that builds trust.
Neuroscience has shown that the brain is constantly scanning the environment for signals of trustworthiness. Trust is signalled when a person uses a more collaborative style of language. Technically strong people tend to hold their ideas quite strongly and so use less collaborative language. This leads to adversity in teams more than trust. This EQ Skills for Leaders talk builds on the previous two and introduces a scientifically verified communication framework that can be used within technical conversations to increase collaboration and trust—a desirable outcome for leaders.
#4 Leader As Coach
Learn to lead like a coach.
When people get promoted based on their technical expertise and experience, they tend to want to hold onto that perceived advantage. This can lead to their withholding knowledge and information from the very people—their juniors—whom they should be sharing it with. Such behaviour results in everybody working at the wrong level and puts a lid on individual and company growth. It’s a leadership train wreck. This talk introduces both the benefits and the techniques for leading as a coach. It’s an EQ skill for leaders that sets everybody, including the company, on a growth trajectory.
The EQ Skills for Leaders Talk Series is developed & presented by Neil Bierbaum, BCom, MPhil, MCC — based on his decades of business leadership and leadership coaching experience, and supported by evidence-based research.
Talk Themes
#1 Developing EQ & Empathy
Based on a logical, performance-based approach.
Technically oriented people often feel that dealing with the soft stuff (like EQ) is a meaningless waste of time. That changes when it gets reframed as a more productive way to enquire into someone else’s process for the sake of improved mutual understanding and therefore better outcomes. In this talk, Neil initiates a quantum shift in EQ skills for leaders. He presents a four quadrant model of awareness that makes practical sense in a way that most technical people buy into it and feel energised to start practising it immediately
#2 Tolerating Differences
Working with diverse opinions, workstyles and outputs.
Technical specialists tend to get stuck on a right and a wrong way of doing things and a right and a wrong answer to most problems. This talk is about recognising differences, not only in demographic factors, but also in terms of values, work styles, and problem-solving approaches. It engages the audience to see the benefits that lie in such differences and opens the possibility of being more tolerant—not for the sake of being nice, but for the sake of better results. It’s an EQ skill that makes sense.
#3 Conversational Intelligence
A neuroscience model that builds trust.
Neuroscience has shown that the brain is constantly scanning the environment for signals of trustworthiness. Trust is signalled when a person uses a more collaborative style of language. Technically strong people tend to hold their ideas quite strongly and so use less collaborative language. This leads to adversity in teams more than trust. This EQ Skills for Leaders talk builds on the previous two and introduces a scientifically verified communication framework that can be used within technical conversations to increase collaboration and trust—a desirable outcome for leaders.
#4 Leader As Coach
Learn to lead like a coach.
When people get promoted based on their technical expertise and experience, they tend to want to hold onto that perceived advantage. This can lead to their withholding knowledge and information from the very people—their juniors—whom they should be sharing it with. Such behaviour results in everybody working at the wrong level and puts a lid on individual and company growth. It’s a leadership train wreck. This talk introduces both the benefits and the techniques for leading as a coach. It’s an EQ skill for leaders that sets everybody, including the company, on a growth trajectory.
The EQ Skills for Leaders Talk Series is developed & presented by Neil Bierbaum, BCom, MPhil, MCC — based on his decades of business leadership and leadership coaching experience, and supported by evidence-based research.
BONUS TALKS
BONUS #1 Managing by Agreement
Close the accountability loop.
Even the most experienced leaders miss this one and end up getting punished for it. Quite literally. The word “expectations” gets used a lot in the corporate environment. Yet expectations are on the level of assumptions when it comes to optimal performance. Effective leaders work at the level of agreement, which enables them to effortlessly close the accountability loop. Managing by agreement also brings more clarity to a team environment, which means less room for politics and personal agendas. As mentioned, the latter are common in technically focused teams where the stakes are high. This talk introduces the ultimate EQ skill for leaders: a coaching-based framework that provides the key leverage point for effective leadership.
BONUS #2 Beyond Control
Five sensible touchpoints that replace the “need” for micromanaging.
Most technically oriented leaders believe that leading a team when the stakes are high—and they’re always high—requires them to be checking all the time and looking for process fixes whenever something goes wrong—and things are always going wrong. However, there’s a different way to approach this: with the question, if we’re catching things in time, does that mean that, in fact, they’re working? This talk introduces leaders to the EQ skill that enables them to manage people instead of processes. They’ll also sleep better knowing that things are under control.
“The effect on our team interactions has been noticeable and it has already begun to impact positively on the company’s performance.” – Tim Keegan, MD, Winder Controls
BONUS TALKS
BONUS #1 Managing by Agreement
Close the accountability loop.
Even the most experienced leaders miss this one and end up getting punished for it. Quite literally. The word “expectations” gets used a lot in the corporate environment. Yet expectations are on the level of assumptions when it comes to optimal performance. Effective leaders work at the level of agreement, which enables them to effortlessly close the accountability loop. Managing by agreement also brings more clarity to a team environment, which means less room for politics and personal agendas. As mentioned, the latter are common in technically focused teams where the stakes are high. This talk introduces the ultimate EQ skill for leaders: a coaching-based framework that provides the key leverage point for effective leadership.
BONUS #2 Beyond Control
Five sensible touchpoints that replace the “need” for micromanaging.
Most technically oriented leaders believe that leading a team when the stakes are high—and they’re always high—requires them to be checking all the time and looking for process fixes whenever something goes wrong—and things are always going wrong. However, there’s a different way to approach this: with the question, if we’re catching things in time, does that mean that, in fact, they’re working? This talk introduces leaders to the EQ skill that enables them to manage people instead of processes. They’ll also sleep better knowing that things are under control.
BONUS TALKS
BONUS #1 Managing by Agreement
Close the accountability loop.
Even the most experienced leaders miss this one and end up getting punished for it. Quite literally. The word “expectations” gets used a lot in the corporate environment. Yet expectations are on the level of assumptions when it comes to optimal performance. Effective leaders work at the level of agreement, which enables them to effortlessly close the accountability loop. Managing by agreement also brings more clarity to a team environment, which means less room for politics and personal agendas. As mentioned, the latter are common in technically focused teams where the stakes are high. This talk introduces the ultimate EQ skill for leaders: a coaching-based framework that provides the key leverage point for effective leadership.
BONUS #2 Beyond Control
Five sensible touchpoints that replace the “need” for micromanaging.
Most technically oriented leaders believe that leading a team when the stakes are high—and they’re always high—requires them to be checking all the time and looking for process fixes whenever something goes wrong—and things are always going wrong. However, there’s a different way to approach this: with the question, if we’re catching things in time, does that mean that, in fact, they’re working? This talk introduces leaders to the EQ skill that enables them to manage people instead of processes. They’ll also sleep better knowing that things are under control.
Special Offer
R30,000*
for all four talks
Save 50% on the normal speaker rate
*Outside South Africa USD2,000
PLUS Engage in one follow-up coaching session per person at R2,000 each and get two bonus talks free (additional value: R30,000).
It’s win-win all the way!
Wait! Is it worth it? Think what a single under-performing leader is costing the company right now.
Need a tailored quote?
“The effect on our team interactions has been noticeable and it has already begun to impact positively on the company’s performance.” – Tim Keegan, MD, Winder Controls
“The effect on our team interactions has been noticeable and it has already begun to impact positively on the company’s performance.” – Tim Keegan, MD, Winder Controls
Special Offer
R30,000*
for all four talks
Save 50% on the normal speaker rate
*Outside South Africa USD2,000
PLUS Engage in one follow-up coaching session per person at R2,000 each and get two bonus talks free (additional value: R30,000).
It’s win-win all the way!
Wait! Is it worth it? Think what a single under-performing leader is costing the company right now.
Need a tailored quote?
Special Offer
R30,000*
for all four talks
Save 50% on the normal speaker rate
*Outside South Africa
USD2,000
PLUS Engage in one follow-up coaching session per person at R2,000 each and get two bonus talks free (additional value: R30,000).
It’s win-win all the way!
Wait! Is it worth it? Think what a single under-performing leader is costing the company right now.
Need a tailored quote?
Who This Is For
✓ CTOs, VPs of Engineering, Technical Directors
✓ Scientists and researchers moving into leadership
✓ Analytical minds skeptical of “soft skills” language
✓ High performers derailed by “people problems”
What You Get
→ Frameworks grounded in psychology (not motivational quotes)
→ Logical approaches to emotional intelligence
→ Tools you’ll actually use (tested with 200+ technical leaders)
→ Outcomes you can measure (performance metrics, team retention, career progression)
My Background With Technical Leaders
+ 10,000+ coaching hours, 200+ technical leaders
+ Business school educator: teaching MBAs and Executive MBAs
+ Former investigative journalist: trained to test claims rigorously
+ MPhil in Leadership Coaching + CBT + Ontological training
Who This Is For
✓ CTOs, VPs of Engineering, Technical Directors
✓ Scientists and researchers moving into leadership
✓ Analytical minds skeptical of “soft skills” language
✓ High performers derailed by “people problems”
What You Get
→ Frameworks grounded in psychology (not motivational quotes)
→ Logical approaches to emotional intelligence
→ Tools you’ll actually use (tested with 200+ technical leaders)
→ Outcomes you can measure (performance metrics, team retention, career progression)
My Background With Technical Leaders
+ 10,000+ coaching hours, 200+ technical leaders
+ Business school educator: teaching MBAs and Executive MBAs
+ Former investigative journalist: trained to test claims rigorously
+ MPhil in Leadership Coaching + CBT + Ontological training
Who This Is For
✓ CTOs, VPs of Engineering, Technical Directors
✓ Scientists and researchers moving into leadership
✓ Analytical minds skeptical of “soft skills” language
✓ High performers derailed by “people problems”
What You Get
→ Frameworks grounded in psychology (not motivational quotes)
→ Logical approaches to emotional intelligence
→ Tools you’ll actually use (tested with 200+ technical leaders)
→ Outcomes you can measure (performance metrics, team retention, career progression)
My Background With Technical Leaders
+ 10,000+ coaching hours, 200+ technical leaders
+ Business school educator: teaching MBAs and Executive MBAs
+ Former investigative journalist: trained to test claims rigorously
+ MPhil in Leadership Coaching + CBT + Ontological training
“Most EQ trainings treat positive emotions as the input, which requires a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach. When EQ makes sense, positive emotions are the output; logic, the input.” — Neil Bierbaum
“Most EQ trainings treat positive emotions as the input, which requires a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach. When EQ makes sense, positive emotions are the output; logic, the input.” — Neil Bierbaum
“Most EQ trainings treat positive emotions as the input, which requires a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach. When EQ makes sense, positive emotions are the output; logic, the input.” — Neil Bierbaum
