Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Louise Evans is a dynamic leader, inspirational speaker, and entrepreneur with a unique vision for personal growth and cultural understanding. With a passion for people, travel, and the performing arts, she has built an international career as a facilitator, coach, and speaker specializing in Behavioural intelligence and Global leadership agility. Having visited over 85 countries, Louise brings a wealth of experience and insight into human behavior, making her a sought-after expert in creating inclusive and thriving organizations.
Through her groundbreaking program, The 5 Chairs, and her book 5 Chairs, 5 Choices, Louise empowers individuals and organizations to embrace empathy, self-awareness, and transformational leadership. Inspired by spiritual mentors like Thich Nhat Hanh and Eckhart Tolle, she has dedicated her life to fostering workplaces and communities where people can grow, connect, and reach their full potential.
Based in Florence, "the cradle of the Renaissance," Louise is driving a modern-day renaissance—a revolution in how we interact and treat one another. Her work is not only impactful but also engaging and transformative, making her a truly unique voice in today’s global landscape.
Can you start by telling us about your business and how it makes a difference for your clients?
I've dedicated the last 15 years of my life to developing The 5 Chairs, a transformative methodology that trains people in behavioral and emotional intelligence. The 5 Chairs model is a simple yet powerful tool that helps individuals take control of their behaviors, improve their relationships, and make more conscious choices in their daily interactions. Whether it’s in the corporate world, educational settings, or personal development, The 5 Chairs is designed to foster greater self-awareness and equip people with the tools they need to communicate more effectively and collaborate better. By encouraging clients to reflect on their own behaviors and attitudes, the methodology creates a ripple effect of positive change—within themselves, their teams, and their organizations. What makes it so impactful is its versatility: it speaks to CEOs as much as it speaks to schoolchildren, offering insights that are universally relatable and transformative. Clients often describe the experience as life-changing because it simplifies complex emotional dynamics into an actionable framework. People often say they learn to explain themselves with greater clarity
Share a bit about your journey so far. How did you end up where you are today in your career?
My journey has been one of deep exploration and growth. With a background in drama and languages, combined with years of experience living and working in different countries, I’ve always been fascinated by the dynamics of human behavior and communication. I pursued a career in education, but my interest in emotional intelligence and behavior deepened through my work in international leadership training. After moving to Florence, Italy, in 1986, I began to notice recurring patterns in how people navigate conflicts and relationships, both in their personal and professional lives. This curiosity led me to develop The 5 Chairs model as a way to break down those patterns into something tangible and actionable.
The breakthrough moment came when I realized how impactful the methodology could be in training emotional and behavioral intelligence. My TEDx talk about The 5 Chairs garnered over 6 million views, which validated the need for this kind of tool in today’s complex world. It’s been a deeply rewarding journey of designing programs, writing books, and speaking on global stages to share this approach with as many people as possible.
Can you briefly explain the concept behind each of the five chairs and their significance?
Certainly. The model consists of 5 chairs, each with a name, a colour, an animal metaphor and a group of recognisable human behaviors. The chairs themselves represent five different ways we can respond to situations that arise in life:
The Jackal Chair, which is red, is the chair of judgment, blame, and criticism. It symbolizes our reactive, unproductive side—when we attack others or ourselves.
The Hedgehog Chair, which is yellow, is where we retreat into fear and self-doubt, often sabotaging ourselves with a victim mentality.
The Meerkat Chair, which is green, is the chair of awareness and curiosity. When we sit in this chair, we pause, observe, and reflect on our reactions, paving the way for better choices.
The Dolphin Chair, which is blue, is the chair of proactivity and solution-focused behavior. It encourages us to speak up, be assertive and take positive, constructive action.
The Giraffe Chair, which is indigo, represents connection, empathy, and heart-centered communication. From this chair, we build bridges and nurture meaningful relationships.
Each chair reflects a choice we make in response to life’s challenges. By becoming aware of which chair we are “sitting in,” we can consciously shift to behaviors that lead to more healthy outcomes.
How can The 5 Chairs model help individuals improve their personal and professional relationships?
The model is a mirror for self-awareness. By understanding which chair we tend to gravitate toward in different scenarios, we gain insight into our emotional triggers and behavioral tendencies. This awareness is transformative. In personal relationships, it helps reduce conflict, enhances empathy, and fosters deeper connections. Professionally, it improves teamwork, communication, and leadership.
For example, a manager who learns to sit in the Giraffe Chair more often will naturally lead with empathy, creating a culture of trust and collaboration within their team. Similarly, someone struggling with self-doubt can move out of the Hedgehog Chair and into the Meerkat Chair, where curiosity and openness replace fear. By practicing with the 5 Chairs, people learn to break negative, self-sabotaging patterns and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
The beauty of the model is its accessibility and adaptability—anyone can apply it to their lives immediately.
What impact have you seen from organizations implementing The 5 Chairs in their leadership programs?
The results have been extraordinary. Organizations that implement The 5 Chairs see significant improvements in communication, employee engagement, and leadership effectiveness. Leaders learn to respond rather than react, fostering a culture of understanding and mutual respect. Teams become more cohesive, and conflicts are addressed constructively rather than being avoided or escalated.
One company I worked with in Italy saw a dramatic shift in their workplace culture after incorporating The 5 Chairs into their training programs. In a people survey post-training, the employees reported feeling more valued, listened to, and empowered. It’s gratifying to witness how such a simple model can create profound organizational change.
What are the current goals you have for your business?
My primary goal is to scale the reach of The 5 Chairs globally. I want to certify more trainers so they can bring this methodology to their own communities and organizations. I’m also developing digital tools and online courses to make the model accessible to a wider audience and writing more materials to support the learning process. Another key focus is collaborating with educational institutions to integrate The 5 Chairs into curricula for young people. Early intervention with children can have a lifelong impact. Ultimately, I want The 5 Chairs to become a household name—a tool that anyone, anywhere, can use to lead a better life.
What do you think makes people happy and satisfied in both their job and their life overall?
I believe happiness and satisfaction come from alignment: alignment with one’s values, purpose, and actions. In the workplace, this means feeling seen, heard, and valued. In life, it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships and having the courage to pursue what truly matters to you. Self-awareness plays a huge role here. When we’re conscious of our own needs and behaviors, we can create the conditions for happiness rather than waiting for it to arrive.
Could you share a proud moment from your career?
One of my proudest moments was receiving heartfelt feedback after my TEDx talk. People from around the world shared how The 5 Chairs had transformed their lives, whether it was resolving a family conflict, improving their marriage, or finding the courage to step into leadership roles. Knowing that my work has made such a tangible difference is incredibly fulfilling. Another proud moment was seeing my book, 5 Chairs, 5 Choices, inspire readers to take control of their behaviors and build more conscious, fulfilling lives.
Last but not least, if you could share one valuable piece of advice or insight with our readers today, what would it be?
Every day, you have a choice. The way you respond to people, situations, and challenges is entirely within your control. By pausing, reflecting, and choosing consciously, you can create the life you want. The 5 Chairs remind us that our behaviors shape our reality. So, ask yourself: Which chair do you want to sit in today? Choose wisely, and watch how your world changes.
