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In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the Founder of ELF Solutions Inc, Erin Thorp.

Erin\'s journey in the construction and engineering industry exposed her to various types of leadership. This experience inspired her to focus on leadership development training, coaching, and facilitation through her company, ELF Solutions. She emphasizes the importance of equipping leaders with "power skills," often referred to as soft skills in other contexts.

One of the key "power skills" Erin highlights is empathy. While the construction industry may not initially seem like a field where the heart is crucial, she argues that it is essential when dealing with clients to understand their needs and deliver the best projects. She noticed a lack of empathy within construction teams, which sparked her mission to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Erin defines empathy as understanding and accepting other people\'s perspectives, emotions, feelings, and opinions. She emphasizes that empathy is not about reaching agreement but about demonstrating understanding and acceptance.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Importance of empathy in leadership
• Erin\'s book "Inside Out Empathy"
• ELF Solutions and its focus on leadership development training, coaching, and facilitation
• Equipping leaders with "power skills" (soft skills)
• Lack of empathy within construction teams
• Definition of empathy as understanding and accepting others\' perspectives, emotions, feelings, and opinions
• Importance of understanding and acknowledging one\'s own emotions

About Erin Thorp:

Erin Thorp is an empathic keynote speaker, writer, and coach for leaders in high-stress industries. With 20 years of experience in male-dominated engineering and construction, Erin noticed a lack of emotional skills among technical leaders.

This inspired her to focus on supporting leaders in navigating conflicts, communication, and performance during challenging times. She believes "soft" skills like empathy, vulnerability, and connection are essential for impactful leadership.

During the pandemic, Erin observed how leaders treated their employees and decided to address the issue herself. She now runs her leadership business full-time. Erin authored "Inside Out Empathy," a book that explores using empathy to build effective teams, drawing from her career and experiences as a mother.

As a knowledgeable speaker and facilitator, Erin shares her expertise at various events and conferences, including those organized by the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, CCWESTT Conference, and Women Building Futures. She also conducts workshops and keynotes for corporations like WNORTH, Atlas Gas, ATCO Energy, Cenouvous Energy, and Schneider Electric.

Erin holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary. She is an Associate Certified Coach through Integral Coaching Canada and a Certified Mental Fitness Coach through Positive Intelligence.

Additionally, Erin is an authorized partner with The Wiley Brand and the Ken Blanchard Companies, certified to deliver DiSC, The 5 Behaviors, and SLII training. She resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with her husband and three children and enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and cooking with her family in her spare time.

About ELF Solutions Inc:

Elf Solutions Inc. is a leadership consulting company that offers personal and professional development services to emerging leaders, professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs.

Their services include 1:1 coaching sessions, keynote speaking engagements,...'