Embarking the Path to Mastery: Inspiring Emotional Intelligence
M Azeem Saheer - PCC
Human Capital Specialist | Facilitator at Luminary Learning Solutions | ICF-PCC | EQ Leadership Coach |EQ Practitioner| Emotional Culture Catalyst | LEGO® Serious Play® |Hands On Thinking Coach | Speaker |Podcaster
In 2018, I began an exploration into emotional intelligence and its impact on human development. By 2020, I delved deeper into this subject through formal professional education, which proved to be profoundly enlightening. This journey intensified my curiosity, prompting me to uncover its multifaceted influence on individuals.
The onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020 brought a halt to our professional engagements, especially within industries heavily reliant on in-person interactions – mine being one of the most affected. Consequently, I turned to online platforms during this downtime.
The lull in work sparked my interest in podcasts as a learning medium. In September 2020, I eagerly ventured into podcasting, seeking guidance from various experts. This platform not only provided a remarkable avenue for exploration but also became instrumental in mastering different facets of emotional intelligence.
On November 25, 2020, I initiated my first podcast, "Ei Café with Azeem," as a novice in the industry. Fast forward three years to November 25, 2023, and I celebrated my 100th episode, having transitioned into a professional podcaster. More significantly, this journey unexpectedly opened new dimensions for learning and understanding emotional intelligence through podcasting.
10000+ - Plays & Downloads
2970 - hours of conversation ( or would say training hours)
1095 - Days existence of Ei Cafe
450+ - Audience from 75+ Countries from all 5 continent
99 -Experts checking in to the cafe
99 - different topics - From raising children to becoming a CEO
10 - Different podcast platforms
9 - Seasons with 9 different theme
1 Purpose - Inspiring individuals to lead purposeful lives and follow their passions through the utilisation of Emotional Intelligence.
People often inquire about the benefits of podcasting, and my response is straightforward:
"I am on a mission—an endeavour to create a significant impact on people's lives through emotional intelligence"
Podcasting has amplified my visibility as an emotional intelligence practitioner, garnering invitations to speak at various global platforms. Mastery, however, remains an ongoing journey for me, one where I continuously explore and share the importance of emotional intelligence. Podcasting allowed me to delve into various ways in which Emotional Intelligence can intersect with our lives.
If you ask me what others can gain from this, it's a simple yet impactful platform for corporations to enhance their human capital. Accessing 30 minutes of valuable insights from global experts is a privilege not every corporation can afford. However, through podcasts, anyone can listen to Prominent professors, global coaches, CEOs, and industry experts without any cost.
I urge corporate and HR leaders to embrace podcasts as a part of their learning methodologies. This podcast specifically covers topics ranging from nurturing a child to developing a CEO or an entrepreneur.
Throughout this journey, I've gathered significant insights & It empowered me to steer the path towards mastery.
Curiosity:
Curiosity acts as the secret ingredient for creativity and standing out. While many view boredom as a hindrance, I consider it an asset. It fuels the mind's wanderings, fostering curiosity. This very article emerged from a state of boredom. My curiosity pushed me to delve into podcasts, learning techniques through others and freely available web resources. And the same curiosity led to the birth of “Ei Café with Azeem”
“Curiosity the magical potion for creativity”
Commence – Perfect vs Practice:
Starting isn't about waiting for everything to fall into place perfectly. When an idea strikes, begin working on it. I initiated this concept in September, and by November, the first episode was published. In between, I focused on platform setup, artwork, guests, and refining concepts. Understand that early attempts might not be flawless, but continuous practice leads to improvement. Undoubtedly, I acknowledge that my initial 1st and 2nd episodes were far from perfect. However, I firmly believe that the 99th and 100th episodes will showcase a profound transformation and improvement.
“Don’t look for Perfection work on Practice”.
Commitment
Podcasting entails substantial backend work—selecting guests, scheduling recordings, editing, content creation, artwork, and social media strategies, demanding a significant portion of your time. At times, especially in the early stages, it might seem daunting. However, staying aligned with your mission and purpose fuels commitment, as it did for me, leading to the 100th episode. “
"When you align yourself, you commit for what you do”
Consistency
Success requires consistent effort, but it doesn't mean repeating the same actions. It's about evolving while maintaining continuity. Creating different seasons based on various themes, as advised by my colleague Vidusha, allowed me to diversify episodes without repeating guests.
“When you commit you become consistent”
Collaboration
This achievement is a collective effort. It wouldn't have been possible without the support of family, Digital Artwork artists, and the 100 incredible guests who shared their wisdom. Additionally, individuals like you, reading this article and listening to episodes, play a pivotal role. I see myself as a bridge, guiding individuals towards their passions.
“Collaboration is bridge which connects ideas to drive towards purpose”
As I embark on the next phase of this journey of mastery—to inspire people and encourage them to pursue their passions through emotional intelligence, I invite all of you to join me. Let's collaborate in creating a more emotionally intelligent World.
"Remember, the journey holds as much significance as the destination itself"
Visit the Cafe by clicking on the link provided in the footnote.
About the writer,
Mohamed Azeem Saheer brings with him over a decade of hands on experience in management both in Sri Lanka and the region. Azeem’s experience in multiple industries offers him the unique ability to offer context and empathetic appreciation for the different programs he runs. Azeem is one of the one of first Genos Certified Emotional Intelligence practitioner, First Riders & Elephant certified Emotional Culture Deck Practitioner and ICF Professional Certified Coache (PCC) in the country. He combines a unique flavor to his programs via Lego Serious Play : bringing the ‘fun’ of our childhood favorite toy Lego and combining it with ‘serious’ topics : enabling an immersion into learning.
Versatile Corporate Professional, World Record Holder, Singer-Songwriter, Mentor, Interior Designer, Actor, Author, Philanthropist
1yCongratulations and best wishes for the rest! Adrian Abraham
MBA - Finance, MAAT, CBA, CA - Finalist
1yWell Done Bro. Mabrook. Proud of you. Keep it up.