Episode 14: When Professional Meets Petty – Leading Through Disrespect with Emotional Intelligence

What do you do when professionalism meets pettiness — when the person you supervise challenges your authority, your patience, and your peace?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Fredrick Lee sits down with Morshelle Tease, a newly promoted leader facing disrespect from a former peer. Together, they unpack what happens when leadership transitions trigger resentment — and how emotional intelligence becomes the key to leading through it. You’ll hear a real-time coaching session that demonstrates how to pause, assess, and respond with purpose using Dr. Lee’s signature Change Moves framework. Discover how to protect your credibility, uphold accountability, and lead with composure when others forget their professionalism. Suppose you’ve ever struggled with staying professional when others aren’t. In that case, this episode will help you reclaim your confidence, maintain your calm, and lead with emotional maturity — even in the face of pettiness.

🎧 Listen now to learn how emotional intelligence transforms tension into leadership growth.

🧭 Show Notes

🗣️ Episode Theme

Leadership is tested not in moments of calm, but in moments of conflict. This episode explores how emotionally intelligent leaders can stay grounded and effective when faced with disrespect or resistance — especially from team members who once were peers.

👥 Guest

Morshelle Tease – A newly promoted leader navigating the challenges of leading former peers and confronting unprofessional behavior with grace and authority.

💡 Key Topics

• The emotional toll of being promoted over a peer
• Recognizing and managing disrespect in the workplace
• Applying emotional intelligence in real-world leadership conflicts
• The 4 Dimensions of E.I.: Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management
• Using the Change Moves coaching method to respond with clarity and confidence

🔄 Dr. Lee’s Change Moves Framework

1. Self-Awareness – Identify the emotion you’re leading with
2. Self-Regulation – Pause before reacting; respond with authority, not emotion
3. Social Awareness – Understand the motives behind the behavior
4. Relationship Management – Set and reinforce boundaries through accountability
5. Integration – Define your personal leadership code for consistency and composure

🪞 Leadership Takeaways

• Disrespect reflects others’ insecurity, not your inadequacy
• Boundaries are a form of respect — for yourself and your team
• Composure is leadership in action
• Professionalism is your power; consistency is your credibility

✨ Quotable Moment

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In this follow-up to Bonus Episode 6 – Men Are Not OK, Dr. Fredrick D. Lee II sits down with Te’Ana (she/her) — an esthetician from McKinney, Texas — for a raw, honest, and heartfelt conversation about the emotional conditioning of men and its impact on relationships, leadership, and mental health.

Drawing from Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and observational learning, Dr. Lee explores how cultural modeling teaches boys to hide their emotions — and how that message, reinforced through generations, becomes an identity built on suppression rather than self-awareness.

Te’Ana shares her lived experience growing up in a community where men were told that emotional vulnerability was “feminine” or “gay,” reflecting the silent pain behind those beliefs and the relational cost of emotional disconnection. Together, they unpack how women experience that silence, how it affects communication and trust, and how both men and women can begin to rewrite the script.

This candid discussion challenges outdated gender norms and invites listeners into a new definition of strength — one grounded in courage, empathy, and authenticity.

🎯 Strength isn’t the absence of emotion. It’s the courage to feel.

🧭 Episode Highlights

• How Social Cognitive Theory explains men’s emotional conditioning
• Why “Boys Don’t Cry” is more than a phrase — it’s a lifelong script
• The emotional and relational cost of suppression in men
• A woman’s perspective on what it’s like to love and support emotionally guarded men
• The power of modeling vulnerability and creating emotional safety
• How men and women can build “emotional equity” together

⚙️ Change Moves (Takeaways)

1. Normalize Emotion as Human, Not Gendered – Feelings are universal, not masculine or feminine.
2. Create Emotional Safety in Relationships – Replace interrogation with curiosity.
3. Model the Behavior You Wish to See – Lead with openness; others will mirror it.
4. Redefine Masculine Strength – Courage is the ability to face emotion, not suppress it.
5. Heal in Community, Not Isolation – Vulnerability builds connection; connection builds strength.

💬 Memorable Quote

👥 Guest

Te’Ana (she/her) – Esthetician from McKinney, Texas
Known for her humor, honesty, and insight, Te’Ana brings lived experience to the conversation on men’s emotional health. She’s seen firsthand how societal conditioning shapes the men around her — and why unlearning silence begins with awareness, compassion, and courage.

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Summary

In this episode of Leadership Lessons, Dr. Fredrick Lee II engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Cynthia Payne, a breast cancer survivor and healthcare leader. They explore the intersection of personal experience and leadership, discussing the emotional intelligence required to navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Payne shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery, emphasizing the importance of self-efficacy, advocacy, and the role of intersectionality in healthcare. The conversation highlights the need for emotional support, the significance of trust in patient-provider relationships, and the transformative power of sharing one's story to inspire others.

Takeaways

Real leadership is born from lived experience.
Surviving breast cancer is the beginning of a new story.
Self-efficacy plays a crucial role in navigating health challenges.
Trust in healthcare providers enhances patient compliance.
Emotional intelligence is essential in leadership roles.
Advocacy can save lives by encouraging early detection.
Healing is a layered process that includes emotional and spiritual dimensions.
Sharing personal stories can empower others facing similar challenges.
Intersectionality impacts patient experiences in healthcare.
Survivorship involves ongoing management and awareness of health.

Titles

Transforming Adversity into Leadership
The Intersection of Health and Leadership

Sound Bites

"Healing isn't linear, it's layered."
"Your voice matters."
"Surviving is not the finish line."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Lessons
02:21 The Journey of a Breast Cancer Survivor
03:55 Navigating the Healthcare System
06:24 The Role of Self-Efficacy in Healing
09:06 Intersectionality and Access to Care
11:32 Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
14:11 The Importance of Patient Advocacy
18:51 The Importance of Time in Healing
20:15 Mentorship and Leadership Through Adversity
21:28 Advocacy for Women's Health
23:05 The Ongoing Journey of Survivorship
24:00 Sharing Stories to Inspire Others
26:20 Encouragement for Those Facing Cancer
29:59 The Power of Awareness and Advocacy