What's in and What's out for 2026
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IN: Self-Knowing | âOUT: Performative IntensityÂ
Internal Awareness replaces the mask of being "massively grown up". True leaders understand their own "tasting notes" - recognising how feelings and thoughts drive decisions in real-time without that "suffocating confidence."
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IN: Self-Confidence | âOUT: Validation through Suffering
Communicating Your Value shouldn't require bragging
about how "bitter" and "complicated" the work is. Real assurance comes from respecting yourself enough to communicate the value you bring while actually enjoying the process.
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IN: Self-Reliance | âOUT: Under-the-Counter Permission
Independent
Initiative is the backbone required to find your own way, even when no address is provided. Stop hunting for "secret" validation and trust your own judgement to deliver.
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(If the explanations aren't making sense and you haven't watched the video, go back and watch the 90 second clip!)
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IN: Self-Actualisation | âOUT: Hustle CultureÂ
Balanced Passion is the "Bourneville" (or Haigh's or Taza) of EQ. We move beyond the grind to pursue meaningful goals that are thrilling, daunting, and important while giving our personal lives the attention they deserve.
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Straightforwardness | âOUT: Performative Complexity
Values-Driven Assertiveness ditches the jargon that tastes like "burnt tyre". If people can't understand you, you aren't being "sophisticated" - you're being opaque and unkind. Delivering difficult
messages openly builds trust, provided you acknowledge the other person's perspective along the way.
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IN: Relationship Skills | âOUT: Resentfulness & GloomÂ
Mutuality and Empowerment ensure the
"aftertaste" of working with you doesn't last a week. Treat others as equal peers and focus on building bridges not "resentment."
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IN: Empathy | âOUT: The "Cold Stare"
Genuine Curiosity makes connection the new
superfood. We swap the feeling of a "cold stare from an ex" for an emotional connection that validates others' experiences and builds real rapport.
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IN: Self-Control | âOUT: Flammable VolatilityÂ
Calm Composure acts as the fire suppressant when the pressure is on. Interrupting a knee-jerk reaction allows for rational logic - the ability to hold the heat without catching fire.
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IN: Adaptability | âOUT: Rigid EnduranceÂ
Open-Minded
Flexibility proves that enduring a bad situation isn't a virtue. Strength lies in exploring new options and letting go of resistance to things that simply cannot be changed.
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IN: Optimism | âOUT: Cynical
Astringency*Â
Opportunity Sensing overcomes the bitterness of cynicism. Cynicism is the "89.9% dark" of the mind - bitter and exhausting. Optimism is the energy that makes the work taste better.
(*Astringency: The dry, puckering
sensation from high-cacao chocolate. In leadership, itâs the cynical comment that sucks the moisture and energy out of a room.)