We usually hire for IQ but end up firing because of a lack of EQ. This is something we rarely think about, but it's true.  Many gym owners focus only on the technical skills of their staff when hiring and often overlook the emotional intelligence needed to ensure the day-to-day activities in the gym run smoothly.  But what happens when your coaches can't connect with clients? Or if they struggle with tough conversations? Or leave you frustrated because they don't know how to communicate with each other or resolve conflict?  It's easy to assume these soft skills are common sense. But the truth is, you can't expect your 23-year-old coach to know how to handle every (or any) situation – it's on you to guide them.  In this episode, Tim and Randy sit down with Lindsay Vastola, an expert in emotional intelligence and a member of the Iron Circle. Lindsay explains why neglecting soft skills can come at a high cost, impacting everything from staff performance to client retention.  Tune in and learn how to turn EQ from a silent killer in your business into your biggest asset. Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00)Importance of emotional intelligence (02:05)The five key components of emotional intelligence (05:28)Assume nothing, train everything (08:06)A real-world example of soft skills undermining a coaching team (14:54)Hire for emotional intelligence over technical skills (23:03)Additional Resources: - Get your early bird ticket for the 2025 Growth Summit in Nashville  - Get access to the 2024 Growth Summit recordings - Tim's new book - Built to Win by Tim Lyons  - ProFit Accelerator: Helping Training Gyms Grow to 30K/month and Beyond Facebook group - A tool for deciding on new gym services – 5-Question Matrix  - SOP in a Day Workshop  - An app designed for semi-private training - Semi Private Pro  - Check out our Switch to Semi-Private course  - Business Accelerator Program   - Learn more about The Iron Circle  --- If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!