I Used to Change My Accent: Why Emotional Intelligence is Tech's New Power Skill
Tech Talks29 Elo 2025

I Used to Change My Accent: Why Emotional Intelligence is Tech's New Power Skill

The tech industry often celebrates speed and disruption. But what happens when that pace overlooks the human element? Christina Lewis, a leader who navigated from higher education to scaling giants like Deliveroo and Bolt, shares a deeply personal truth: her initial instinct to change her Midlands accent to "fit in" to the London tech scene. This moment of personal adaptation forged her belief in the power of emotional intelligence (EQ). In this episode, we explore why EQ is now indispensable for everything from retaining female talent and building inclusive cultures to making critical decisions with real-world impact.

As AI reshapes our workplaces, Christina argues that our most human skills—empathy, active listening, and understanding nuance—are tech's next great advantage. Join us as we challenge assumptions about leadership and reveal how leaning into our full, authentic selves makes tech truly make sense.


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