We talk about emotional intelligence at work all the time but what happens when we bring that same awareness into our romantic relationships? In this episode of Breaking the Chain, host Nathaniel Chapman sits down with Gabriela Embon, a chemical engineer turned relationship coach and author of Becoming a Power Couple: Four Pillars to Engineering Legendary Marriages. Gabriela brings a unique combination of analytical precision and heartfelt wisdom, showing how we can lead at home with the same intention we bring to our careers.
Together, Nathaniel and Gabriela explore how couples can reimagine their relationships through intentional design, rather than leaving love to chance. Gabriela shares how she pivoted from a secure career in chemical engineering to coaching, driven by a passion for human connection and meaningful relationships. What began as professional coaching naturally shifted into relationship coaching, helping leaders and high performers apply their skills at home.
The conversation dives into why many high achievers excel in their careers but struggle in personal relationships. Gabriela explains that not everyone grows up with strong models of balanced partnerships, so we often expect greatness at work but settle for mediocrity at home. She emphasizes that
Marriage isn’t a status, it’s a dynamic process that needs to be engineered, much like career development.
Drawing from her book, Gabriela introduces the Four-Pillar Blueprint, a framework designed to strengthen relationships intentionally. She explains that relationships, like careers, require vision, alignment, and deliberate effort. The episode also touches on ideas from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, highlighting the “upper limit” of success we allow ourselves and how often self-worth is tied only to professional achievement, leaving our personal connections undernourished.
If you’ve ever wondered how to bring the same focus, skill, and intention you apply at work into your relationships, this episode is a must-listen. The Four-Pillar Blueprint provides practical guidance for turning awareness into action, helping leaders engineer love with the same precision they bring to their careers.
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