Melinda Rothouse

Innovation doesn't happen because a team is told to “be more creative.” It happens when leaders build the conditions — psychological safety, mindful attention, and real collaboration — where creativity can actually surface. Drawing on doctoral research and years of coaching leaders and teams, Dr. Melinda Rothouse offers a practical, research-grounded framework for cultivating a culture where innovation is the natural byproduct of how a team works together, not a one-off initiative. Audiences will leave with: • A clear framework for identifying barriers to creativity on teams — and how to remove them • Mindfulness-based practices leaders can use to foster psychological safety and open collaboration • A model for embedding innovation into everyday team culture, not just special projects • Tools to translate individual creative insight into collective, sustained innovation

The best leaders aren't the ones who never feel pressure — they're the ones who've built the self-awareness and presence to lead well under it. Drawing on her background in mindfulness, coaching, and humanistic psychology, Dr. Melinda Rothouse shows leaders how to strengthen the core emotional intelligence skills — self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and relational presence — using practical, mindfulness-based tools they can apply the same day, not abstract theory to file away. Audiences will leave with: • A working understanding of the core emotional intelligence competencies and why they drive leadership effectiveness • Simple mindfulness practices for staying grounded and clear-headed under pressure • Tools for reading and regulating emotional reactions in high-stakes conversations • A framework for building empathy and trust into everyday team interactions