Vertex Human Capital Ltd

Ever had one of those moments where you’re certain you’ve got everything in place, only to realize—much too late—that you missed something big? That was me, heading off for a team coaching session with 8 executive directors. I’d hung my suit by the door days in advance to avoid exactly this, but after a day, I got so used to seeing it there that it just faded into the background. Only once I arrived did I realize… it was still hanging right by my front door. And you know what? The day went on, filled with productive discussions, insights, and solutions—no one cared about my missing suit except me. But this little slip got me thinking about how easily we all overlook things that become too familiar. In leadership and team dynamics, it’s easy for issues to hang around unnoticed, simply because we stop noticing them. Like my suit, we get so accustomed to them that they blend in, untouched and unaddressed. Over time, these ‘unnoticed’ elements can weigh down teams, blocking fresh perspectives and hindering growth. So here’s my takeaway: keep checking for the ‘suit by the door.’ Bring a conscious eye to things that might have grown too familiar. In a team, unspoken assumptions, habits, or challenges need to be seen, not just seen through. Anyone else ever had a ‘suit’ moment that surprised them?

The Quality of Leadership Conversations: Are We Really Listening? In my leadership workshops, you will hear me say: that everything starts and ends with conversation. Yet, how often do we stop to consider the quality of those conversations? We talk about emotional intelligence, but how many leaders truly practice it in the moments that matter? I'll be honest—sometimes my curiosity and courage make me feel like an elephant in a china shop. I ask uncomfortable questions, challenge the norms, and dive deeper into things others might skim over. It’s messy. It can make people uneasy. But you know what? That’s where growth lives. Conversations that shake us, make us pause, and even make us uncomfortable push us toward real change. Leadership isn’t about staying in the safe lane or avoiding tension. It’s about leaning into discomfort, listening deeply, and embracing perspectives that are not our own. How many of us, as leaders, dare to do that? How many times do we find ourselves half-listening, waiting to respond, rather than genuinely seeking to understand? Emotional intelligence isn’t just about reading the room; it’s about being willing to disrupt the room when needed—to elevate the conversation, even if it gets a little uncomfortable. If we want to lead effectively, we must start by getting real about the quality of our conversations. What will you do today to truly listen, to ask the hard questions, and to stay curious? What will you do to be a leader who’s not afraid to be a little disruptive if it means creating space for others to be seen, heard, and valued? The best leadership conversations are the ones that transform, not just inform.

Talking from Your Heart vs. Your Head: A Reflection Recently, I came across a comment my professor wrote on my thesis many years ago: "Well done, Iva, but once again you are talking from your heart, not from your head." It stopped me in my tracks. At the time, I took it as constructive criticism, a nudge to be more analytical, more rational, and more "head-focused." But looking back now, I wonder—why do we often value the head over the heart? Why do we separate the two as if they can't work together, as if the heart's voice is somehow less worthy, less credible? I’ve always spoken from my heart. It’s where my passion lives, where my empathy and connection to others come from. But does that make it less valuable than speaking from the head? Even my dad used to tell me: Ivie, think with your head before you speak. The world often tells us to lead with reason, logic, and facts. Yet, the most meaningful conversations I’ve had, the ones that truly moved people, have come from the heart. It’s taken me years to realise that speaking from the heart is not a weakness—it’s a strength. It doesn’t mean abandoning logic or reason, but rather integrating both. It means leading with authenticity, bringing emotional intelligence into the room, and having the courage to be vulnerable in spaces where it’s often safer to hide behind intellect. The head keeps us grounded, but the heart allows us to connect. And in leadership, connection is everything. So, here's my question: Are we too quick to dismiss the value of the heart in favour of the head? What would change if we allowed ourselves to lead with both? Photo by NIKLAS LINIGER on Unsplash

What will you do to stay aware of others' perspectives? I had an interesting conversation with my client yesterday, after which I had to stop and reflect. How we live our lives, with ever-so-busy minds and constantly adapting to change, makes it easy to fall into the trap of assuming we know what others think or feel. We all have unique filters, shaped by our experiences, biases, and knowledge—but how often do we step back and truly listen to what others have to say? How often do we reflect on our own perspectives and how they may be limiting us? Staying aware of others' perspectives is a conscious, daily practice. It requires humility, empathy, and, most importantly, curiosity. It's about creating space for conversations where different voices and viewpoints can coexist. But here’s the challenge: It’s not just about asking, “How can I be more aware?” It’s about asking, “How can I actively shift my mindset to understand the world through someone else’s lens?” A few questions I reflect on often: Do I assume I know the full story, or do I seek to learn from those whose experiences are vastly different from mine? When was the last time I changed my mind because I truly listened to someone else’s reasoning? How am I creating environments where diverse perspectives are not only heard but celebrated? The workplace, our communities, and even our homes thrive when we foster an attitude of inclusion and open-mindedness. But it starts with us, intentionally committing to not just hearing but understanding those around us. So, I ask you today—what will you do to stay aware of others' perspectives? What steps will you take to embrace new ways of thinking? Drop your thoughts below—I’m curious to hear your perspectives. Let’s learn from each other. 

Embracing Emotional Assertiveness: A Journey of Growth and Transformation Gardening has become a passion of mine, a delicate and rewarding process that mirrors much of what I do in my work as a Transformational Inclusive Leadership Trainer and Coach. It’s both hard work and therapeutic, requiring the right tools, patience, and a constant willingness to learn. It’s a craft that is never quite “done,” it evolves as we deepen our knowledge and invest time and care into it. The same is true for the journey of personal and professional growth. Just as I tend to my garden, I make sure to do the same in my business, always sharpening my tools, learning, and growing so I can serve my clients in the best possible way. One of the things I often remind my clients of is that "it starts with us first." It’s a mantra I live by, especially when it comes to leadership, where the foundation of all my work is the development of emotional intelligence competencies. In line with this, I recently took a step that I’m really proud of—I enrolled in Emotional Assertiveness training with the incredible Magda Tabac ☀ Communication and Stress Management Trainer. This time, instead of solely focusing on how I could bring new insights to my clients, I focused on myself, my growth, learning, and betterment. And wow, did it challenge me in ways I hadn’t anticipated! Not only did I face parts of myself with boldness, but Magda created a space where everyone felt completely safe to do the same. This program is intense, and filled with powerful insights and tools to navigate and deal with our emotions. But Magda’s style—her wonderful energy, her ability to create flow, and the many A-ha moments she facilitated—made this experience so impactful. It’s been an investment in myself that I wouldn’t trade for anything, and it’s worth every second spent. As someone who continuously strives to be as authentic as possible, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of Emotional Assertiveness, both in life and in the workplace. It gives us the tools to better understand, express, and navigate our emotions—ultimately empowering us to lead with greater clarity and empathy. It’s a game changer, not just for our own growth but for the people around us too. If you’re curious to learn more about Emotional Assertiveness and how it can benefit you or your organization, I highly recommend reaching out to Magda Tabac ☀ Communication and Stress Management Trainer. Her program is a true gift—one that will provide the tools, insights, and transformative moments you didn’t even know you needed. #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalGrowth #Coaching #EmotionalAssertiveness #ContinuousLearning #Transformation #LeadershipDevelopment

In my work on transformational leadership, developing Social Intelligence is not just an advantage, it’s a necessity. Drawing from Daniel Goleman’s book Social Intelligence, leaders who understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of others can forge deeper connections, inspire trust, and create more collaborative, innovative environments. Socially intelligent leaders build teams that feel valued, empowered, and motivated to reach shared goals. In an era where empathy and relationship-building are core to effective leadership, honing your social intelligence can be the key to navigating complex workplace dynamics and fostering cultures of inclusion and growth. Why is it that many leaders find this to be a rather difficult transformation? Ask yourself: How well do I truly understand the people I lead, and how could I deepen my social connections to inspire greater transformation? Let's chat if you want to hone this skill even deeper! Click on the link below and book a no-obligation conversation. https://lnkd.in/dN4Tc3Q9 #Leadership #SocialIntelligence #DanielGoleman #TransformationalLeadership #EmpathyInLeadership Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash

Generational Diversity: A Leadership Challenge or Opportunity? As Gen Z entered the workforce in recent years, I’ve noticed many leaders struggling to communicate, manage, motivate, and engage teams spanning five generations. Instead of embracing this diversity, there seems to be a tendency to focus on differences as barriers—missing out on the incredible strengths each generation brings to the table. I often ask myself, what happened to our curiosity? 🤔 Curiosity is a powerful tool—it helps us break down walls, understand each other better, and create meaningful connections. When we stop being curious, we limit ourselves to the familiar and nothing changes, nothing grows. True innovation and progress lie beyond our comfort zones. So, why not start by getting curious? Discover your own biases, lean into those generational differences, and leverage the unique perspectives in your team. This is where the magic happens! Are you struggling with disconnects across generations in your team? How are you fostering curiosity and inclusivity in your leadership approach? Let’s talk about it! 💬 #InclusiveLeadership #GenerationalDiversity #Leadership #Curiosity #EmpoweringTeams #DiversityAndInclusion #LeadWithCuriosity

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m thrilled to be crafting a special session that dives deep into debunking stereotypes and biases while honouring the incredible diversity within the Latino community. This session will be filled with collective discussions, exploring the many layers of identity that make the Latino culture so vibrant and a true powerhouse in the business world. Together, we’ll create spaces—both in the workplace and our personal lives—where all facets of Latino heritage are embraced and celebrated. Because at the end of the day, unity within diversity is the key to unlocking our full potential. Let’s recognize, appreciate, and champion the richness of every individual, today and every day. How often do our initial reactions stem from cultural narratives rather than direct experiences? #HispanicHeritageMonth #DiversityAndInclusion #LatinoCulture #UnityInDiversity #CelebratingLatinos #InclusiveWorkplace #DebunkingStereotypes

From Airports to State Roads: A Journey in Mindfulness and Leadership Usually, my work takes me across Europe, flying into many wonderful cities. But this time, I had the pleasure of running a week of Power of Emotional Intelligence training right here in Croatia, in the beautiful town of Split. Instead of airports and aeroplanes, I decided to take a different approach. My partner and I hit the state roads from Zagreb to Split, disconnecting from the fast pace of business. We made stops in the most stunning places, embraced the beauty of nature, and took moments to simply enjoy each other’s company. It wasn’t just about the conversations; it was about the silence, the mindfulness, and allowing ourselves to fully experience the journey. This trip was different from my usual work travels. I surrendered to the unfamiliarity of familiar places, and it was the perfect mental and emotional preparation for the week of training that followed. It reminded me, once again, that how we show up is entirely our choice. As leaders, it’s so important to carve out these moments—moments where we step away, reflect, and connect with ourselves and the world around us. In doing so, we come back more present, grounded, and ready to lead with greater clarity and emotional intelligence. How are you making space to show up as the best version of yourself?

I just wrapped up an incredible leadership workshop in Madrid, and I couldn’t be more energized by our breakthroughs! We dug deep into our leadership styles through a series of self-assessments—uncovering the fine balance between controlling and empowering approaches. What we discovered? Some biases that were subtly shaping our decisions and interactions with our teams. But the real magic happened when we faced this head-on. By recognizing and working through these biases, we found new ways to build trust, foster stronger relationships, and unleash creativity like never before. The result? A renewed sense of clarity and purpose that will drive innovation and collaboration within our teams. Leadership isn’t about choosing between control and empowerment—it’s about knowing when to use each to elevate those around us. #Leadership #Innovation #TeamTrust #Empowerment #LeadershipDevelopment #MadridWorkshop