In this eye-opening episode of You Got This, host Monica Mahi sits down with Emma Jordaan, a leading expert in cultural intelligence (CQ) and author of Dubai Decoded. They dive deep into why understanding cultural differences isn’t just a "soft skill"—it’s a critical business advantage, especially in multicultural hubs like the UAE. Emma breaks down the four pillars of CQ (Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, Action), shares real-world examples of cultural clashes (and how to avoid them), and reveals how organizations can foster inclusive, high-performing teams. Whether you’re an expat, leader, or just curious about human behavior, this episode will change how you navigate workplaces—and the world.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

✅ The 4 components of cultural intelligence (CQ) and why they matter

✅ How misjudging culture costs businesses (e.g., turnover, failed relocations)

✅ Real-life examples of cultural misunderstandings (restaurants, meetings, dress codes)

✅ RAPID Framework to handle cross-cultural conflicts (Recognize, Assess, Pause, Interpret, Decide)

✅ How companies can embed CQ into recruitment, onboarding, and leadership

✅ Emma’s Culture Vantage Model (simplifying cultural differences for teams)

👩💼 About the Guest:

Emma Jordaan is a cultural intelligence thought leader, international trainer, and founder of Infinite Consulting. With 20+ years in L&D, she helps organizations decode multicultural workplaces—from communication styles to leadership expectations. Her book, Dubai Decoded, unpacks Emirati culture and offers a practical framework for thriving in diverse environments. Based in the UAE, Emma works with global clients to bridge cultural gaps and drive business success.

🎙️ About Monica Mahi:

Monica Mahi is a globally recognised expert in leadership and emotional intelligence, with over 20 years in corporate and personal development. She helps individuals and organizations unlock their potential through self-awareness, viewing emotional intelligence as key to success. Monica empowers others to pursue meaningful lives beyond financial achievements, offering tools and guidance for personal fulfillment and effective leadership.

Monica is the founder of EQ Brain 🧠🎧 — a platform dedicated to leading life in emotional intelligence. Learn more at 🌐 eqbrains.com

Learn more about Monica Mahi's work:

Website: monicamahi.com

Insta: @monicamahiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamahi/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of You Got This by Monica Mahi, we’re thrilled to welcome Sabine Karunanithy, who is an Awareness Trainer.

We all know goals are important - but how do we make them real? What if the key wasn’t just in the big vision, but in the small steps we take every day? That’s where micro-habits come in. By building simple, consistent systems, we might just wake up one day having achieved those big dreams - and more.

Sabine has spent many years understanding what stops employees and leaders from achieving the goals they set for themselves, why they did not yet become the person they always wanted to be. Sabine’s goal is to help people understanding how they can make changes in their lives and careers - through deeper self-awareness, increased emotional and cultural intelligence, and the ability to create and maintain the habits that allow for success.

Today, Sabine shares how micro-habits can change the game, helping you move from stuck to thriving. She works with individuals to reclaim their lives, make lasting changes, and unlock potential through the power of awareness and habit.

This episode provides an insight into the how goals can be overwhelming and ways to overcome these feelings. From feeling overwhelmed to becoming intentional, this episode takes you on a practical journey - one small shift at a time.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why do big goals feel overwhelming?
• The power of micro-habits
• Real-life examples of micro habits leading to big success
• How to implement micro habits effectively
• How micro habits shift our mindset about what's possible

Guest Spotlight:

Sabine has spent many years understanding what stops employees and leaders from achieving the goals they set for themselves, why they did not yet become the person they always wanted to be. Sabine’s goal is to help people understanding how they can make changes in their lives and careers - through deeper self-awareness, increased emotional and cultural intelligence, and the ability to create and maintain the habits that allow for success.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabine-karunanithy/

Website: https://www.cm4c.co

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more engaging conversations with experts like Sabine Karunanithy.

About Monica Mahi:

Monica Mahi is a globally recognised expert in leadership and emotional intelligence, with over 20 years in corporate and personal development. She helps individuals and organizations unlock their potential through self-awareness, viewing emotional intelligence as key to success. Monica empowers others to pursue meaningful lives beyond financial achievements, offering tools and guidance for personal fulfillment and effective leadership.

Subscribe, like, and share for more inspiring content!

Learn more about Monica Mahi's work:

Website: monicamahi.com

Insta: @monicamahiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamahi/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of You Got This by Monica Mahi, we’re thrilled to welcome Gemma McFall, who is UAEs first Pain Reprocessing Therapist.

Gemma experienced chronic and debilitating back pain - she came close to having several major operations until one day, she found the answers. This changed her life and she now is on a mission to help others.

Gemma embarked on a journey to become pain-free without any meditations nor invasive therapies. She healed herself through understanding the root cause of pain, by tapping into her emotional triggers, journaling and more.

Today, she is active and is proof that we can become pain-free.

This episode is a practical insight into pain, it's purpose, the lessons we are here to learn and practical tools to implement to release pain and live a truly thriving life.

Key Topics Covered:

- What is pain?

- Is it normal to have pain?

- What are the root causes of pain?

- The emotion-pain connection

- How living with pain impacts us at work and at home

- Tips and tools to overcome pain

Gemma shares her 4-P model to explain pain, provides actionable steps to follow and how she works with men and women all over the world to help them overcome debilitating pain.

Guest Spotlight:

Gemma empowers individuals to recover from chronic pain and mental health challenges, helping them regain control of their well-being. One of the first Pain Reprocessing Therapists in the UAE, she has been instrumental in bringing this approach to the region. With 15+ years of corporate experience, including roles at Disney, Marriott, and Fairmont, she blends positive psychology, mindfulness, and neuroscience to create life-changing solutions for individuals and organizations worldwide.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamcfall/

Website: https://gemmamcfall.com/

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more engaging conversations with experts like Gemma McFall.

About Monica Mahi:

Monica Mahi is a globally recognised expert in leadership and emotional intelligence, with over 20 years in corporate and personal development. She helps individuals and organizations unlock their potential through self-awareness, viewing emotional intelligence as key to success. Monica empowers others to pursue meaningful lives beyond financial achievements, offering tools and guidance for personal fulfillment and effective leadership.

Subscribe, like, and share for more inspiring content!

Learn more about Monica Mahi's work:

Website: monicamahi.com

Insta: @monicamahiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamahi/

You Got This Podcast:

Welcome to You Got This. The podcast inspires you to overcome life's challenges through impactful conversations and practical tips. We all can overcome it, you just need to find that one thing to help you get there.

Hosted by Monica Mahi, the founder of Monica Mahi Consulting, A Big Four management consultant turned emotional intelligence expert.

Join the conversation in the comments: How can you use these tips to overcome the pain you are experiencing?

Overcome your pain, thrive in life, You Got This Podcast, be a better leader, become a more aware parent, understand yourself, the body keeps a score, be pain-free.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.