What are the keys to emotionally intelligent and empathetic leadership resilience?

1. Uncover the layers of your personality through Reflection and through evidence based tests like Clifton Strengths, Via Character Strengths, MBTI, DISC personality test and OCEAN test. 2. Understand your WHY--your North Star. Make decisions through the lens of your purpose. 3. Co create a team that resonates with the WHY of the organisation 4. Put yourself into the shoes of the team and by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each individual..

Another great way to uncover your own strengths and areas for improvement is to ask others who work closely with you and who you trust. I often give leaders these questions to ask them to help kickstart the process: (1) What do you most admire in me? (2) What is the difference or impact I make? (3) What would you like to see me do more of, less of, or stop doing?

There is no way to lead others without knowing who you are authentically. It is the foundation of everything you will do in your leadership journey - and it changes. Every obstacle, derailment, and difficult situation will shape you in some small or big way. Your authenticity is shaped as a result of that. Connect with who you are first before connecting with others.

Often we may have ideas about who we are and what our strengths are. Sometimes we have blind spots too. Therefore it’s helpful to engage in using psychometric tools to help you uncover strengths and weaknesses. In addition working with a coach can help you reflect on things you know and don’t know about yourself.

Some open ended questions I give leaders to ask their team members to help get to know them better are: (1) What motivates you and how can we bring more of that to your work? (2) What's one gift, talent or skill of yours that I've either overlooked, undervalued or underutilized? (3) What is one thing I need to know about you that will improve our relationship?

Emotional intelligence, is one on the biggest areas where we can leverage for organizational success. Just like any form of knowledge, it is a practice and takes time. We are relational beings and companies need us to thrive in relational contexts. You can start your emotional intelligence journey by: 1. Giving yourself and your team to reflect. A space where you all share, thoughts and ideas. 2. Writing down what you know, what you don’t know and what you are curious about. 3. Keep practicing curiosity. Being bravely vulnerable, role models for others what they can become.

For many of us. The body reacts first, and the thoughts they come later. So my biggest takeaway for self regulation is the breath. Once you can master calming your body, the mind follows. It all begins with giving yourself permission to go onwards, breath out slowly and notice what happens to your body.

Self-Management is a critical skill if you want to be a great leader. Here are some self-reflection questions I give leaders to help with self-management, especially when they are triggered by someone else's behavior or are stressed by the workload or priorities. First step is to stop and reflect on these before responding. (1) What am I experiencing right now? (write out or express to your self. Scan your own body if that helps) (2) What do I most need right now? What do I need to give myself permission for right now? (3) Who can best support me right now?

Inspiring and influencing others is what Leadership is all about. Here are a few questions I give leaders to ask their team members to help inspire and influence: (1) What's one thing, if it were present, would make a huge difference on our team? (2) What's one thing you need from me that will enable you to be more successful? (3) What is one goal or vision you have for yourself that you haven't expressed yet?

Adopting a growth mindset is critical to being a great leader and continuously learning. Here are a few self-reflection questions to help enable growth: (1) In what ways have I grown in the last week? (2) What was my greatest learning last week and how can I put that into action in the future? (3) What is one area I want to improve in and focus on next week?