Leadership landscape is constantly evolving. Although technical expertise and policy knowledge remain foundational skills in today's organizations, effective leaders should also possess emotional intelligence. It is imperative for organizations to be able to navigate complex human dynamics, foster trust with diverse stakeholders, and inspire collaboration towards the common goal. Having emotional intelligence provides leaders with the tools they need to address these challenges and achieve outstanding results.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
There are four core competencies that constitute emotional intelligence:
· Self-awareness:
Identifying your strengths, weaknesses and emotions and understanding their impact on you and your team. According to a study conducted by organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, 95% of people believe they are self-aware, however only 10-15% are actually aware of their own behavior.
· Self-management:
The ability to regulate your emotions and keep a positive attitude despite the pressure that you are under.
· Social awareness:
An understanding of workplace dynamics and the ability to recognize others' emotions. Leadership skills such as empathy have been ranked as the number one leadership skill by the Global Leadership Development firm DDI, with those who excel at empathy showing a 40% higher level of effectiveness in coaching, engaging others, and making decisions than those who do not. In addition, The Center for Creative Leadership study has found that managers who show more empathy for their direct reports are considered to be better performers by their supervisors.
· Relationship management:
The ability to build and maintain strong relationships, influence others, and resolve conflicts effectively. It has been found that unresolved conflict can waste up to 8 hours of company time per incident, according to the Harvard Business School Insights by Lauren Landry. In addition, approximately 72 percent of respondents to a recent survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management cited "respectful treatment of all employees at all levels" as the most important factor contributing to their job satisfaction.
Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Key Benefits
Effective leaders possess a high level of Emotional Intelligence, resulting in the following positive outcomes:
· Improved decision-making:
Leading with empathy and considering multiple perspectives facilitates thoughtful decision-making.
· Enhanced communication:
Having a high level of emotional intelligence promotes clear and empathetic communication, which facilitates a better understanding within a team.
· Increased employee engagement:
Employees who feel valued and supported by their emotionally intelligent leaders have a lower turnover rate and higher engagement rate.
· Effective conflict resolution:
Managing emotions and finding common ground are key to preventing conflict from escalating.
Emotional Intelligence Development
Fortunately, emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened. The following are some general tips:
· Self-reflection:
Be sure to assess your strengths, weaknesses, as well as your emotional triggers on a regular basis.
· Active listening:
Listen carefully to what others have to say, both verbally and non-verbally, and make sure that you respond appropriately.
· Practice empathy:
Think about how other people might see things, and try to put yourself in their shoes.
· Stress management:
The best way to manage stress is to find healthy outlets for it, such as exercise.
As a leader, you can become more effective and create a more positive work environment when you prioritize emotional intelligence, resulting in a more successful and productive work environment.
