In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Dr. Erika Powell, a coach, facilitator, and consultant celebrated for her unique blend of connection, creativity, and authenticity in leadership development. Dr. Powell shares her journey from a diverse academic background in anthropology, linguistics, education, and art, to a career dedicated to helping leaders and teams thrive through transformative, people-centered approaches.

Key Topics Discussed

• Nonlinear Career Paths:
  Dr. Powell discusses her unconventional journey, combining elements of anthropology, linguistics, and education, and how her natural affinity for art became central to her work.

• Blending Art and Leadership:
  She explains why traditional leadership models often fall short in today’s complex, rapidly changing work environments, and how integrating creativity and art unlocks deeper, more authentic engagement.

• The Power of Authenticity:
  The conversation explores the cost of compartmentalizing one’s professional and personal selves, and the importance of leading from a place of authenticity and emotional awareness.

• Facilitating Transformative Workshops:
  Dr. Powell shares a detailed story of a workshop with an executive team, where art-based exercises (like sculpting with clay) helped surface unspoken tensions and foster genuine breakthroughs in team dynamics.

• Navigating Layers and False Positives:
  The discussion highlights the layered nature of emotional work in organizations, the risk of “false positives” in group settings, and why ongoing, iterative conversations are necessary for real change.

• Designing for Emotional Safety:
  Dr. Powell describes how she intentionally designs workshops to accommodate participants who may be reluctant to engage emotionally, using activities that gently open up space for genuine connection.

Notable Quotes

“Work and what we're seeing today in the world is really inviting us to marry the intuitive and the practical. It can't just be, ‘I thought my way through this.’ There’s a big feelings piece that's still very much there.”

“Our best solutions for ourselves and for our teams are found when we go into that heart space with each other.”

Takeaways

• Creativity and art can be powerful tools for surfacing truths, resolving tension, and fostering authentic connection in teams.

• Real transformation in organizations is a layered process that requires ongoing dialogue and willingness to explore beneath the surface.

• Emotional intelligence and authenticity are as crucial as technical skills in effective leadership today.

Next Steps

Subscribe to Around the Ladder for more conversations about unconventional career journeys and the power of authenticity at work. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network!

Connect with Dr. Erika Powell on LinkedIn