Here's how you can distinguish yourself as a successful executive from your peers.

That goes to the principle of being flexible, adaptable and creative as the pillar of a great leader especially in this ever evolving world

Lately, I have faced an increasing number of situations in which emotional intelligence plays a more significant role than intellectual abilities. One of the hardest things to do as a leader is to navigate the EQ landscape while executing a strategy and adapting to a changing environment.

Few points I disagree upon: Assumption of Universality: The advice assumes that all leaders can and should be visionaries, but some leadership roles might benefit more from operational or managerial strengths rather than visionary qualities. Overemphasis on Technology: The focus on new technologies might overshadow other critical aspects such as human resources, organizational culture, or market dynamics. Preparation Versus Flexibility: The recommendation to prepare proactively based on foresight could lead to rigidity, where an organization might struggle to adapt quickly to unexpected changes.

A visionary executive not only predicts future market trends but also creates a compelling narrative that aligns the entire organization towards achieving a shared goal. This foresight helps in identifying new markets, potential partnerships, and technological advancements, ensuring the organization is always ahead of the curve.

EQ is very top in my opinion when it comes to Leadership. If you don’t have the heart of majority of your team you can’t get the best from their heads. Team members work harder to make the goals succeed when they feel it’s a joint and collective responsibility. They take pride in knowing their contributions with be acknowledged and celebrated. As Head of School , I saw the change in staff morale and the effect on the ethos and culture of the whole school which also reflected in teaching and learning .

Executives with high emotional intelligence create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and understood. This leads to higher employee engagement, better teamwork, and improved overall performance. By understanding and addressing the emotional needs of their team, emotionally intelligent executives can foster loyalty and inspire their employees to achieve their best.

A few points I would like to add: Develop a Decision-Making Framework: Establish a consistent process to ensure comprehensive evaluations and streamline decisions. Leverage Data and Analytics: Use data and analytics to inform decisions, reduce reliance on intuition and increasing effectiveness. Empower Your Team: Encourage team members to make decisions within their responsibilities, fostering trust and speeding up processes Learn from Past Decisions: Regularly review past decisions to identify patterns and improve future decision-making. Adapt and Iterate: Be willing to adapt decisions based on new information and changing circumstances, ensuring resilience and responsiveness.

Efficiency in execution is very important when trying to yield growth and results. Try not let the fear of failure and what all could go wrong stand in your way of change.

Being a life long learner is not only important professionally but is helpful personally in this ever evolving world. Podcasts and coursera are two tools that I have found helpful to get introduced to new information and ideas.

Staying current with research trends is incredibly beneficial, not only to keep up-to-date but also to identify gaps in knowledge. Committing to continual learning is essential because there's always more to know, especially with technology rapidly evolving. Embracing continuous learning also allows exploration of "encore" experiences, transforming a career as one approaches retirement, pursues further education, or both. This opens doors to deeper inquiries into the world around us. Seek mentorship from those who have successfully transitioned to where you see yourself in the ultimate manifest. Happiness and peace are worth more than money in the bank (and better for your physical and mental health, too).

Successful executives leverage their network to gain diverse perspectives and insights, which helps in making informed decisions. By cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, industry leaders, and influencers, executives can navigate complex business environments more effectively and drive their organizations towards success.

My few cents : Engage on Social Media: Actively participate on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and industry-specific forums. Share insights, comment on relevant topics, and connect with peers to build a robust online presence. Content Creation: Produce content that showcases your expertise. Write articles, blog posts, or create videos on subjects relevant to your industry. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also provides value to your audience. Public Speaking: Seek opportunities to speak at conferences, webinars, and industry events. Public speaking helps establish you as a thought leader and increases your exposure.

Above all, a successful executive who considers others’ experience of him or herself is one that will be impactful- and relatable- for time to come. - In an opportunity, the executive can jointly point to and expand possibilities. - In a setback, the executive can reframe and rechannel setbacks into success/pivots. Through heart, backbone and the awareness of others’ lenses, executives can chart an ideal path with his/her team every moment.