What do you do if your emotional intelligence as a late career professional leader needs improvement?

Engaging in emotional intelligence workshops or training programs tailored for late-career professionals can add significant value in enhancing your leadership skills. For example, participating in a workshop focused on emotional intelligence for senior executives provides practical strategies and tools to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, leading to more effective leadership and improved team performance.

Expressing or recognizing emotions does not come naturally to everyone. It is okay to acknowledge this. When assessing yourself, identify what triggers you and what are your reactions. Then decide what is the one area you want to improve on.

Self-Awareness: Start by reflecting on your emotions, triggers, and reactions in various situations. Practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation or journaling to increase self-awareness. Daily task: Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on your emotions and reactions to different events.

- Seek feedback from others. When our EQ is less we may have many blind spots so our self awareness is usually not enough. - Ask for simple instances from others of how you could have been more effective. Gather data and ypu will see a pattern emerge. - Do not start with a long list. Choose just 2 areas to work on and just take that small step for 6 months of a few actions each week so you build those two qualities. - In 6 months do ask these people what change they are seeing in you.

Self-Regulation: Learn to manage your emotions effectively, especially in challenging situations. Practice deep breathing or visualization exercises to stay calm under pressure. Daily task: Identify a stressful situation and practice responding calmly and thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.

Expand your emotional vocabulary, by learning and understanding the wide range of emotions. Then use them to express your own emotions, this can lead to having better self awareness, which will lead to identifying them when you see it displayed by others.

Empathy: Put yourself in others' shoes and strive to understand their perspectives and feelings. Practice active listening and ask open-ended questions to show genuine interest in others' experiences. Daily task: Engage in a conversation with a colleague or team member and focus on listening without judgment or interruption.

Social Skills: Enhance your communication and interpersonal skills to build positive relationships and resolve conflicts constructively. Practice assertiveness and diplomacy in your interactions with others. Daily task: Initiate a conversation with a colleague or team member to offer support or encouragement.

Adaptability: Embrace change and uncertainty with resilience and flexibility. Stay open to new ideas and perspectives, and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. Daily task: Take on a new challenge or task outside your comfort zone to practice adaptability and resourcefulness.

Motivation: Maintain a positive attitude and sense of purpose, even in the face of setbacks or obstacles. Set meaningful goals aligned with your values and strive for continuous improvement. Daily task: Set aside time each day to reflect on your long-term goals and identify specific actions to move closer to achieving them.

Developing emotional intelligence will require you to be vulnerable. It is okay to lean into this, even if you are hesitant. When we can understand our own emotions and be okay with sharing them, it will help others open up and feel safe to share with you. Feelings can be uncomfortable but giving a safe space to others builds trust.

Una obra de arte no se acaba, se abandona. La inteligencia emocional es igual, ir a la esencia de lo que son las emociones es un camino inacabado. Haz las paces con cómo eres, escucha a tu cuerpo, profundiza con amabilidad y verás como poco a poco van emergiendo nuevas respuestas.

As a later a career professional it isn't easy to change. - Get yourself a coach - Get going with some personal development courses that build self awareness of mind and body. See these as an additional scaffolding for making a shift - Emotional support groups that teach psycho social concepts will also help you feel supported and will be a place to try your new EQ skills too