Emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership is becoming one of the most important skills for leaders today. It’s not just about knowing how you feel; it’s about understanding and guiding your team’s emotions, too. If you want to lead a motivated and effective workplace, emotional intelligence is key.

Technical skills might have helped you land your first promotion, but they won’t take you all the way. To succeed as a leader, you need to connect with your team, handle stress, give feedback, and collaborate, and ‘emotional intelligence in leadership’ can make all that possible.

In fact, 71% of business heads say they value emotional intelligence more than technical skills when hiring. So, why is ‘emotional intelligence in leadership’ taking center stage in leadership discussions? Let’s jump in.

What exactly is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is all about understanding and managing your emotions while also connecting with the emotions of others. It might sound easy, but it’s actually a total game-changer. First introduced by researchers John Mayer and Peter Salovey in 1990, EQ really took off when psychologist Daniel Goleman showed just how powerful it can be.

As Goleman put it in the Harvard Business Review: “The most effective leaders all share one thing: they have a high degree of emotional intelligence. Sure, IQ and technical skills matter, but those are just the basics to get you in the door.”

Fast forward to today. EQ isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. Research from TalentSmart shows it’s the #1 predictor of workplace performance. Why? Because people with high EQ can maintain their composure under pressure, solve conflicts easily, and genuinely connect with their coworkers.

Whether you’re leading a team or looking to grow in your career, Emotional intelligence isn’t just a skill; it’s your greatest advantage, your secret tool, and the key to unlocking true success in both leadership and your personal life.

How do we identify the lack of emotional intelligence?

Struggles with emotional intelligence often lead to workplace conflicts, misunderstandings, and strained relationships. At its core, it comes down to difficulty recognizing, managing, or responding to emotions,…both your own emotions and those of others.

One telltale sign is trouble managing or expressing emotions. This might look like dismissing colleagues’ concerns, avoiding accountability, or failing to truly listen during conversations.

Think about your interactions at work and ask yourself:

• Are your conversations often tense or awkward?
• Do you often find yourself blaming others when things go wrong?
• Have you ever had emotional outbursts that affected your team?

If any of these sound familiar, it could point to gaps in emotional intelligence.

The good news? Emotional intelligence is a skill you can develop and strengthen over time. You can start by practicing empathy, improving your listening skills, and focusing on understanding both your own emotions and, of course, those people around you. Small changes can make a big difference!

What are the key four pillars of emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the key to thriving in your career and relationships. And it all boils down to four simple but powerful skills:

1. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is where it all begins. It’s your ability to understand your own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses and how they impact your actions and your team’s performance.

But here’s the catch: research by organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich shows that while 95% of people believe they’re self-aware, only 10-15% truly are. This lack of self-awareness can harm teamwork, cutting a team’s success in half and creating stress and low motivation.

Want to boost your self-awareness? Try 360-degree feedback. It’s a simple process where you evaluate your own performance and compare it to insights from your boss, peers, and your team members. This can open your eyes to how you’re truly perceived and help you grow into a stronger leader.

2. Self-management

Self-management is all about keeping your emotions in check, especially in stressful situations. Leaders who lack self-management tend to react impulsively, which can harm relationships and decision-making.

The key? Shift from reacting to responding. That means pausing, taking a deep breath, and giving yourself space to process. Whether it’s a quick walk or a call to a friend, find what works for you to stay calm and focused under pressure.

By mastering self-management, you can maintain a positive outlook, navigate setbacks with grace, and set an example of resilience for your team.

3. Social awareness

Social awareness is your ability to read the room and understand others’ emotions and the underlying dynamics in your workplace.

Empathy is the heart and soul of social awareness. Great leaders don’t just hear their colleagues; they truly listen and strive to see things from their perspective. According to global leadership firm DDI, empathy is the top leadership skill, boosting performance by over 40% in areas like coaching, engagement, and decision-making.

Do you wish to build stronger connections with your team? Practice empathy. When you make the effort to understand your team’s feelings and needs, you create a culture of trust and collaboration.

4. Relationship management

Relationship management is about building strong connections, mentoring others, and handling conflict with care.

While it’s tempting to avoid tough conversations, unaddressed conflict can drain time, resources, and morale. Studies show unresolved conflicts can waste up to eight hours per issue, spiraling into gossip and negativity.

Strong leaders tackle conflict head-on, addressing problems respectfully and directly. According to a survey by Society for Human Resource Management, 72% of employees rank “respectful treatment of all employees” as the top driver of job satisfaction.

By fostering respect, coaching your team, and leading with authenticity, you’ll not only resolve conflicts; you’ll inspire loyalty and trust.

Mastering these four skills isn’t just good for your career; it’s life-changing. When you understand and connect with yourself and others, you’re unstoppable!

How can you strengthen your emotional intelligence?

As a leader, strengthening your emotional intelligence begins with building self-awareness. Being self-aware can enhance and amplify emotional intelligence in leadership.  Here are some possible ways for you to do that:

1. Journal your emotions

Take a few minutes each day to reflect on how your emotions influenced your decisions, interactions, and meetings. Did your emotions positively or negatively affect a situation? This simple habit helps you identify patterns and make better choices in the future.

2. Get a 360-degree assessment

Seek feedback from your manager, colleagues, and peers, and compare it with your own self-assessment. This will reveal any blind spots and leadership gaps you might not see, giving you most valuable insights into the areas where you can improve yourself.

3. Practice active listening

Focus on the speaker, put away distractions, and show you’re engaged by paraphrasing what you’ve heard or nodding. Active listening strengthens your understanding and builds rapport with others.

4. Pay attention to your emotions

When you feel a strong emotion, take a moment to reflect on why you’re feeling that way. Understanding your emotional triggers helps you manage them better and gain insight into others’ feelings too.

5. Take an online course

Want to learn more? Consider enrolling in an emotional intelligence course, like HBS Online’s Leadership Principles. With a 360-degree assessment, this course helps you uncover your emotional intelligence strengths and weaknesses.

These foundational steps in self-awareness and empathy are crucial for building a strong emotional intelligence framework, setting the stage for improved leadership and more effective teamwork.

How emotional intelligence in leadership makes leaders more effective?

Leaders shape the culture of their organizations. Without emotional intelligence in leadership roles, they risk creating an environment of disengagement and discontent, leading to higher turnover and lower morale.

Even if you’re technically skilled, that won’t matter if you struggle to connect with your team or communicate effectively. Emotional intelligence in leadership helps bridge that gap by enhancing your ability to manage relationships, resolve conflicts, and build strong, collaborative teams.

By mastering emotional intelligence, you can inspire greater empathy, foster stronger team dynamics, and keep morale high, ultimately driving your career and organization forward. It’s not just about what you know but how you relate to and connect with those around you.

At ThinkPalm, we believe in nurturing emotionally intelligent leaders to create thriving workplaces. Do you wish for a successful career? Explore exciting opportunities with us and join a culture built for success.

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