Fiona Doran-Smith, Director at Yellow Tree Wellbeing

Ever found yourself in a difficult conversation, not quite sure how to manage the emotions—yours or the other person’s?

These moments can be some of the most pivotal in the workplace. That’s why we were thrilled to welcome Fiona Doran-Smith, Director at Yellow Tree Wellbeing, to deliver an exclusive CPD session for members of The Centre for People, Culture & Wellbeing.

Fiona brought a wealth of experience and practical insight to the session, Navigating Challenging Conversations with Emotional Intelligence. Her warm, engaging style combined with deep practitioner knowledge made for a highly impactful experience.

Exploring Emotional Intelligence in Practice

Fiona introduced members to a range of Emotional Intelligence (EI) models, with a particular focus on the MSCEIT Ability Model. She broke down the model’s levels and helped distinguish ability-based EI from personality-based traits—shifting the focus from “who we are” to “what we can grow and develop”.

We explored how emotional intelligence can be a powerful tool for building empathy and trust; strengthening relationships; boosting engagement and loyalty; and leading more consciously and compassionately.

One of the key takeaways? Emotions aren’t a hindrance—they’re valuable signals. Recognising and understanding emotions—before, during and after difficult conversations—enables us to respond with intention, not just reaction.

Highlights from the session

– Emotions are data, not problems—what are they telling us?

– Empathy helps build meaningful trust and connection.

– Mood-task matching—aligning emotional states with specific tasks.

– Not everyone is ready for solutions. Give people time and space.

– Avoid assumptions and labels—each emotional experience is unique.

The session also reflected on how virtual and in-person conversations differ—and how we often overthink emotional responses when we’re not face-to-face.

Fiona is Director at Yellow Tree Wellbeing, where they support organisations in building inclusive, psychologically safe and emotionally intelligent cultures.

Their services include:

– Bespoke training on emotional intelligence, resilience, and Mental Health

– 1:1 and team coaching

– Workshops to support compassionate leadership and culture change

– Wellbeing programmes design and delivery

They work with organisations across sectors to create workplaces where people feel valued, supported and able to thrive.  Whether through team workshops, leadership development, or strategy support, Yellow Tree works in partnership with organisations to shape healthier, more human workplaces. The Centre for People, Culture and Wellbeing is proud to partner with them. 

Explore more about their work at yellowtreewellbeing.com

The Centre for People, Culture and Wellbeing offers Employers the opportunity to gain accreditation through its Charter and Quality Mark. This external recognition highlights organisations that go above and beyond in supporting the wellbeing of their employees. By achieving this accreditation, Employers not only demonstrate a deep commitment to fostering a positive, supportive work environment but also prioritise the health and engagement of their teams, setting themselves apart as leaders in employee wellbeing.

Become a Member 

The Centre also offers membership to professionals engaged with people, culture and wellbeing roles. As a member, individuals gain access to an abundance of valuable resources, professional development opportunities, and a thriving community of like-minded professionals. The Centre provides accredited Health and Wellbeing CPD and qualifications, empowering members to grow in their careers, enhance their expertise and support those around them.

There are membership levels to suit every journey:

Student – For full or part-time students keen to grow their understanding

Affiliate – For those exploring CPD without formal qualifications or experience (e.g. Mental Health First Aiders)

Associate (APCW) – For professionals with 2+ years’ experience or Level 2–4 qualifications in a relevant field

Professional (PPCW) – For experienced practitioners with 5+ years’ experience and/or Level 5+ qualifications

As Fiona emphasised during the session, mastering emotional intelligence is key to navigating challenging conversations with greater ease and empathy. By embracing our emotions as valuable data, we can foster deeper connections, build trust, and lead with understanding—whether in-person or virtually.

Thank you again to Fiona for sharing such valuable insights, and to our members for joining us in this transformative session!

Marcia Fernandes, 10th April 2025
The Centre for People, Culture & Wellbeing