Emotional intelligence for 21st century leaders

If you aspire to become a successful leader in the business world, then building your EQ should be an absolute priority. Ken Lee shares the ‘whys’ and the ‘hows’.

Twenty-five years after psychologist and author Daniel Goleman brought the term ‘Emotional Intelligence’ (EQ) to a wide audience with his 1995 book of the same name, EQ remains an essential skill for good leadership.

Simply put, EQ is the ability to recognise and understand our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, and to use that information to guide our thoughts and actions.

EQ is not just a ‘soft skill’ or a nice-to-have; it’s a key component of effective leadership which can make all the difference in building stronger relationships, managing conflict, boosting creativity and innovation, enhancing decision-making, and improving resilience.

EQ helps build stronger relationships
Building and maintaining strong relationships is one of the key roles of an effective leader. Without good relationships, trust breaks down, workplace culture diminishes, and work and workers suffer. Leaders with high EQ can build enduring relationships because they connect meaningfully with people.

That’s because they can accurately read the emotions of others and respond appropriately to often complex and charged situations. Empathising and connecting with others can help build trust and foster positive relationships – arguably the keystones of constructive workplace culture, capacity and outcomes.

EQ helps manage conflict
Leaders with a high EQ are also well equipped to constructively handle workplace conflict. How? Because leadership informed by EQ leverages the ability to manage our own emotions and reactions, and to be socially aware of what others are feeling. It enables leaders to communicate clearly with calm statements of facts, ask questions to paint a clearer picture of the situation, and use active listening to show the other person they’re being heard.

EQ boosts creativity and innovation
Good leaders need to be creative and innovative to stay ahead of the curve. Leaders with a high EQ are likely to be open-minded and receptive to new ideas and able to communicate their ideas in a way that resonates with others. This means they can create a work environment that feels safe and supportive, which in turn can inspire creativity and innovation.

EQ enhances decision-making
Leaders are faced with tough decisions every day. High EQ leaders are in touch with their emotions, enabling them to recognise their own and others’ biases (conscious and unconscious) and make decisions based on facts rather than emotions.

In addition, high EQ leaders can realistically anticipate how their decisions will affect others. They are more attuned to the emotional impact of their leadership decisions and can take steps to mitigate adverse responses or impacts.

EQ improves resilience
Finally, EQ can help leaders be resilient in the face of adversity. When they have high EQ, leaders can better regulate their emotions and cope with stress. This means they are less likely to be overwhelmed by difficult situations and more likely to bounce back quickly.

This means high EQ leaders are also equipped to support their teams during times of stress or uncertainty. They can offer empathy and support which can, in turn, help build resilience throughout the organisation.

Developing your EQ
There are many online emotional intelligence tests and personality assessments available to evaluate and develop your EQ. If you discover you’re not naturally high in EQ, don’t worry – it’s a skill that can be developed with practice.

Here are some tips for growing your EQ as a leader:
•    Practice self-awareness. Take time to reflect on your emotions and reactions and how they impact your thinking and behaviour.
•    Practice active listening. Commit to listening and understanding the perspectives of the speaker.
•    Practice empathy. Put yourself in other people’s shoes and be non-judgmental.
•    Practice emotional regulation. Being mindful of your emotions can help you understand and manage them.
•    Practice relationship-building. Connect on a personal level to build strong professional relationships with employees, clients, and partners.
•    Practice adaptability. Remove your ego to see other perspectives more clearly and be open to innovations, calculated risks, and change.
•    Build your social skills. Gain a better understanding of group dynamics.
•    Practice good communication styles. Navigate conversations assertively without being aggressive or passive-aggressive.
•    Use the right leadership style. Effective leadership emphasises collaboration and communication.
•    Welcome feedback. Solicit and incorporate feedback into your work life.

By developing your emotional intelligence, you can build stronger relationships, manage conflict more effectively, boost creativity and innovation, enhance decision-making, and foster resilience and adaptability. Prioritising your EQ development is a vital step to becoming a successful leader in today’s business world.