When I sat down with Leila Entezam on Innovate & Overcome, I expected a leadership chat—but what I got was a masterclass on emotional discipline that every wealth builder should understand. If you make high-stakes decisions under pressure, Leila’s work could save you time, money, and relationships.
As a neuro-emotional performance coach, Leila blends neuroscience, psychology, and business to help leaders make sharper decisions.
From Margins to Mainstream
Leila recalls her early work with emotions and leadership being brushed off as soft and intangible.
“People would say, that doesn’t matter. That doesn’t belong in business.”
She stuck with it anyway.
And now? Emotional intelligence is everywhere. It’s a core focus in leadership books, culture handbooks, and executive coaching.
That shift didn’t happen overnight. Leila battled self-doubt and a constant need to validate her work—especially without a traditional title or roadmap.
“I have an undergrad in neuroscience, an MBA, and a master’s in psychology. But no one knew what to do with that.”
I nod when she says this. So many entrepreneurs I meet build paths no one sees until the results show up.
The One Brain Rule
I ask Leila what most leaders get wrong. Her answer is blunt:
“They think they can compartmentalize.”
But your brain doesn’t have a “home” side and a “work” side. It’s one database, one operating system.
If you had a bad night of sleep or an unresolved argument at home, that carries into your board meeting. Leila explains how triggers—real or perceived—activate survival mechanisms that shape decisions before logic has a chance to catch up.
This hit me hard. Entrepreneurs love to push through, but most never pause to see what’s running in the background.
Understanding the SETUP Model
I ask Leila to walk us through her SETUP framework. It’s a tool for decision-making under pressure.
- Somatics – physical sensations like tight shoulders or a racing heart.
- Emotions – what you’re feeling right now.
- Thoughts – what beliefs or assumptions are surfacing?
- Universe – what else is going on in your world (conflicts, distractions, fatigue)?
- Physiology – things like genetics, diet, sleep, or medical history.
She tells me you don’t walk through it in order, but use it as a quick self-inventory—just enough to slow down a reflexive reaction.
When your bandwidth is low, SETUP helps you pause, get clarity, and stop reacting on autopilot.
From Resistance to Buy-In
Many of Leila’s high-performing clients resist this at first. She laughs as she shares how some flinch at the mention of “inner child” work.
But she’s honest upfront: if you want to understand your triggers, you have to look at the source. And the source is almost always rooted in early definitions about safety, trust, or value.
She tells me, “100% of the time, the behavior patterns trace back to early life experiences. Even when I’ve doubted it—it’s always there.”
I’ve seen this too. Business owners think it’s about delegation or strategy. Often, it’s about fear, identity, or unresolved junk.
Micro-Shifts, Macro Impact
The transformation Leila describes isn’t dramatic. It’s subtle.
“They can’t always pinpoint when the shift happened. But one day they show up differently—with their team, their family, themselves.”
She shared a story about a client who ran a team meeting. Afterward, someone said, “What happened to you? That was different.”
Emotional self-awareness, as both Mark Fujiwara and Leila emphasize, changes how you lead and live.
This kind of change matters. And it starts with awareness.
Why Setup Improves Performance
When I ask how this impacts performance, Leila is clear:
“These factors—stress, fatigue, emotion—they’re there either way. You can use them intentionally or let them control you.”
Optimized decisions don’t start with better data. They start with better self-checks.
Did you sleep poorly? You’re short with your assistant? Recognize that. Then choose how to show up.
The Virtual Shift and Human Reconnection
We talked about how work has changed post-COVID. I mention my walking treadmill and virtual client meetings.
Leila agrees—this shift made the human element even more critical. We need more intention in how we connect, especially when body language and shared space are missing.
She offers simple ideas: play music before meetings, eat together on Zoom, keep your camera on. It all helps rebuild emotional engagement in digital space.
Empathy is the Starting Point
I ask her for one practical takeaway.
She says, “Start with empathy.”
That’s it. That’s the power move.
You can’t optimize what you won’t acknowledge. And you can’t lead well without starting inside.
If you want to get better at decisions, leadership, or team building—start with SETUP.
About The Author
