What’s the real cost of broken trust at work? And how do introverts navigate environments that weren’t built with them in mind?

In this episode of The Ambitious Introvert®, I’m joined by Minda Harts — speaker, professor, and bestselling author of Talk To Me Nice. Minda is on a mission to restore trust in the workplace, and she’s created a framework of “trust languages” that can radically shift communication, performance, and inclusion in any organization.

Minda shares practical insights on navigating office dynamics, giving and receiving feedback, and creating work environments where everyone can feel seen and supported.

Whether you’re leading a team or leading yourself, this episode is full of ideas you’ll want to bring to your next 1:1 or leadership meeting.

1. Why trust isn’t optional, it’s foundational. When it’s present, productivity and retention soar.
2. How Minda’s 7 Trust Languages give leaders and teammates a shared vocabulary for building strong relationships.
3. Why introverts thrive when they understand their needs and communicate them clearly (without pretending to be extroverts).
4. Why feedback should be a conversation, not a monologue — and done well, it prevents 80% of avoidable workplace exits.
5. How the future of work is deeply human. Traits like empathy, safety, and trust aren’t soft, they’re strategic.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsure how to rebuild trust at work, this episode is for you.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

🌐 Minda Harts' Website

◾️Minda Harts LinkedIn

◾️Minda Harts Instagram

◾️Talk To Me Nice book

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. To save a massive 40% on their introvert-friendly bedding and loungewear visit https://cozyearth.com and use the code INTROVERT

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
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Have you ever felt completely drained by endless notifications, struggled to understand why you're exhausted despite "not doing very much," or overlooked your own massive achievements until someone else pointed them out?

In this solo episode of The Ambitious Introvert®, I'm diving deep into three powerful client stories to highlight common introvert challenges and, importantly, the solutions to them that lead to better performance.

You'll learn how to:

1. Break the Cycle of Constant Task Switching: Understand the real cost of distractions, why notifications are secretly sabotaging your energy and productivity, and how setting clear boundaries and communicating openly can dramatically shift your workday.
2. Recognize Invisible Energy Drains: Discover why "not doing much" might actually be exhausting you, how emotional and mental labor quietly impacts your energy, and a simple tool to visualize your bandwidth and prevent burnout.
3. Celebrate Your Wins, the Right Way: Stop underestimating your accomplishments by getting granular. I'll show you why breaking achievements down into their true complexity boosts confidence and helps you fully recognize your growth.

If you've ever felt misunderstood, overwhelmed, or like your introverted energy just isn't aligning with the demands of your work or personal life, this episode is full of strategies to help you reclaim your energy and thrive on your own terms.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

◾️ Multitasking doesn't work so why do we keep trying by Freakonomics

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

Sign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.

PREMIUM SUPPORT:

Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

Ever feel like your brain just works differently - like how you need more space, more quiet, or more time to think? In this solo episode of The Ambitious Introvert®, I’m diving into some fascinating (and science-backed) reasons why that’s not just in your head - it’s actually how your brain is wired.

We’ll explore three key ways introverts process, respond, and recharge that set us apart - not in a “fix yourself” kind of way, but in a “ohhhh, that’s why I do that!” kind of way. If you’ve ever second-guessed the way you work or wondered why other people seem to thrive on things that drain you, this one’s for you.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why dopamine floods can feel overwhelming, and which neurotransmitter is the introvert’s secret weapon for calm focus.
• The surprising way introverts use more brain energy, and what it means for your fatigue levels and social battery.
• What really happens when you pause before speaking, and why your slower processing is actually a strength.
• How your brain’s default mode influences decision-making, reflection, and creativity by taking the long road

Whether you’re an introvert wanting to better understand your own patterns or someone who leads or lives with one, this episode will help you reframe how you think about energy, focus, and expression.

MENTIONED STUDIES:

◾️ Laney, M. O. (2002). The Introvert Advantage – explains dopamine sensitivity and acetylcholine rewards

◾️Johnson, D. L., & Wiebe, J. S. et al. (1999). Cerebral Blood Flow and Personality: A PET Study. Am J Psychiatry, 156(2), 252–257. (PMID 9989562)

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

Sign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.

PREMIUM SUPPORT:

Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.