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Mastering The Moments That Matter with Louise Evans

What if the way we respond in just a few seconds could strengthen—or damage—our relationships, our leadership, and our impact on the world?

In this deeply insightful conversation, Chris Cooper spoke with Louise Evans, creator of The 5 Chairs, a powerful yet beautifully simple model that helps people recognise their behaviour in the moment and choose a more conscious, constructive response.

Drawing on decades of global experience—and a personal journey shaped by inner work and transformation—Louise shared how we can move from reaction, self-doubt and conflict towards curiosity, authenticity, empathy and meaningful connection.

Her work has already transformed organisations, schools, families and lives, with millions engaging in her widely viewed TED Talk and many describing the model as life-changing.

But this conversation went beyond communication skills. It explored something bigger: how becoming more self-aware in the way we think, speak and relate can help us build healthier relationships, stronger communities, and ultimately contribute to doing more good in the world.

We do always have a choice, no matter what the situation is that we find ourselves in, that we are in charge of the way we respond to everything that happens to us. That is our power, and not to be given away. It’s also our freedom.
– Louise Evans

Here are some insights from the interview you don’t want to miss:

The Five Chairs Model as a Tool for Behavioural Awareness
Louise described the Five Chairs model, which uses animal metaphors to help individuals recognise their behaviours in the moment and consciously choose constructive responses. Each chair represents a different behavioural option, encouraging self-management and emotional intelligence.
You Always Have a Choice in Your Response
Drawing on Viktor Frankl’s insights, Louise emphasised that while we can’t control others, we do have the ability to choose how we respond to any situation. This is presented as a foundational freedom and a source of personal power.
Awareness and Curiosity Interrupt Destructive Patterns
The “meerkat chair” symbolises the ability to pause, observe, and become curious instead of reacting impulsively. By noticing physical and emotional signals before responding, we create space between stimulus and reaction, enabling better outcomes.
Self-Compassion Combats the ‘Hedgehog’ Withdrawal
For those who tend to shrink inward or adopt a victim mentality, Louise recommended techniques such as self-compassion to break negative cycles and regain agency. Awareness and kindness toward oneself are key to moving out of self-doubt.
Developing Empathy and Assertiveness Strengthens Relationships
The “giraffe” and “dolphin” chairs symbolise empathy and healthy assertiveness, respectively. Practicing these behaviours—listening beyond words, understanding others’ perspectives, and transparently communicating one’s own needs—leads to more meaningful connections and successful leadership.

If you’ve ever struggled with a difficult conversation, wished you’d handled something differently, or want to lead and live with greater awareness and impact—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

You can listen to this Business Elevation Show interview with Louise Evans & Chris Cooper here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).

More about Louise Evans:

Louise is a humanist motivated by a profound desire to help people reach their fullest potential in environments permeated by mutual respect.

Her passion is to work with the human side of organisations and to do this she has developed her own powerful and transformative model for successful living and leading called ‘The 5 Chairs’, often described as ‘life-changing’ or ‘self-awareness on steroids!’ At the heart of The 5 Chairs experience is Behavioral Agility, Conscious communication and Relationship Mastery and it is designed as a tool for every man, every woman & every child on the planet.

The 5 Chairs is also being adopted by schools, especially between the ages of 4 – 16, where it helps children become aware of the difference between their productive and unproductive behaviors. It helps them face rising tensions in their daily encounters with others in order to maintain harmonious and happy relationships.

Having travelled to seventy-five countries and lived in three different cultures, Louise brings multiple perspectives to help people connect across their differences. She believes deeply in people’s ability to grow and transform and loves working with people who want to evolve, who have the courage to look at themselves in the mirror and change, and who want the best possible life for themselves and others both at work and at home.

Louise’s mission is to divulge the message of The 5 Chairs to individuals, teams, organizations, families and communities across the world to re-awaken the fundamental Human Skills which are common to us all and are vital for our happiness, success and survival.

Louise is an entrepreneur and a qualified trainer and facilitator of Behavioural Intelligence, Intercultural Management, Global Leadership, and International Communication Skills. Certified as Global Executive coach and NLP Practitioner, she works with all levels from Top Talents to the Board in Corporations, such as Valentino, Gucci, Enel, Glaxo, Unicredit Bank, Barilla, Enel, Luxottica, Honeywell, British Gas, Phillips, Honeywell, Tods, Hogan, Duracell, Diesel and many more.

Her Training Topics include; Emotional & Behavioural Intelligence, Intercultural sensitization and management, Communication and Interpersonal skills, Diversity (thought, cultural, gender, generational, functional), Global Leadership, Unconscious Bias, Non-Violent Communication, Executive coaching, Team Excellence, Digital Intelligence & Conflict Resolution.

Louise is the author of :

‘5 Chairs 5 Choices – Own your behaviours, master your communication, determine your success ‘– Amazon 2016

‘The Magnificient 5 -Heroic Journeys’ Amazon 2024 – A 5 Chairs book for children

Her Tedx of her methodology: https://youtu.be/4BZuWrdC-9Q