"EQ: The Great White Whale of Leadership Development"

Are Leaders with high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) more effective in a workplace setting ?

EQ is not just a buzzword; it’s the backbone of building trust, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful results. Leaders who understand and manage their emotions, and those of their teams, unlock higher performance and create lasting impact.

In this new ComPass edition, let’s explore three key areas about EQ: personal qualities that enhance leadership, workplace dynamics that build cohesive teams, and self-awareness as the ultimate leadership tool.

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Let’s dive into practical steps to elevate your leadership through Emotional Intelligence:

1. Keep Your Promises ??

Reliability is the foundation of trust. Leaders and team members who consistently keep their promises build an environment of accountability and respect.

?? When promises are broken, it damages trust and leads to disengagement within the team.

?? Consistency in action shows integrity. For example, when a manager promises additional resources for a project but doesn’t deliver, it frustrates employees and lowers morale.

?? Steps to Build Trust:

• Be realistic with your commitments. Avoid overpromising.
• Communicate openly if you can’t meet a deadline or commitment.
• ?? Celebrate small wins - it fosters a culture of trust and consistency.

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2. Show Empathy ??

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s the cornerstone of emotional intelligence and key to building meaningful relationships.

??Many leaders struggle to truly understand their team’s challenges. This can lead to employees feeling undervalued or unheard.

?? By showing empathy, leaders foster loyalty and better collaboration. Imagine your employee misses a deadline due to personal struggles, showing understanding instead of judgment helps him/her feel supported.

?? Steps to Practice Empathy:

• Actively listen without interrupting.
• Ask questions to understand - not to criticize.
• Be mindful of verbal and non-verbal cues, such as tone or body language.

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3. Assume Good Intent ??

Believing the best in others sets the stage for collaboration. Assuming bad intent often leads to unnecessary conflict and a toxic workplace.

?? Misjudging others can create friction and erode relationships. Have you ever made assumptions about someone’s behavior without understanding their perspective?

?? Assume that everyone is doing their best, even when mistakes occur. Trust builds when leaders and colleagues show they’re willing to see the good in others.

?? Steps to Build Trust Through Intent:

• Pause before reacting to challenging situations.
• Clarify motives by asking questions instead of jumping to conclusions.
• Set up brainstorming sessions across departments and celebrate team achievements

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4. Pause Before Reacting ??♂?

Emotional regulation is critical in high-pressure environments. Reacting impulsively often escalates conflict instead of resolving it.

?? How often do you regret something you’ve said or done in the heat of the moment? Impulsive reactions harm relationships and can damage your reputation as a leader.

??Taking a moment to pause allows you to assess emotions logically. Calm responses create solutions instead of more problems.

?? Steps to Practice Self-Regulation:

• Acknowledge your emotions but don’t let them control your actions.
• Practice mindfulness or stress management techniques.

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5. Say Thank You ??

A simple gratitude note can go a long way in making employees feel valued. Gratitude enhances team morale and loyalty.

?? Are you too focused on deadlines and deliverables to acknowledge your team's effort? A lack of appreciation can lead to disengagement and high turnover rates.

??Recognizing contributions motivates employees to continue performing at their best.

?? Steps to Practice Gratitude:

• Acknowledge contributions publicly in meetings, emails, shared working areas.
• Write "thank you note" for exceptional work.

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6. Encourage Collaboration ??

Leaders who encourage collaboration build more resilient and creative teams.

??♂? Do your employees work in silos? A lack of collaboration can limit innovation and breed resentment.

??Collaboration fosters diverse ideas and strengthens bonds within teams.

?? Steps to Encourage Teamwork:

• Create cross-functional projects to unite different departments.
• Establish open channels for brainstorming and idea-sharing.
• Recognize team achievements and celebrate alltogether.

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7. Self-Awareness for Leaders ??

Leadership starts with self-awareness. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and impact on others is very important.

?? Are you aware of how your actions and decisions influence your team? A lack of self-awareness can create blind spots and erode trust.

??Self-aware leaders inspire trust and encourage open dialogue.

?? Steps to Build Self-Awareness:

• Seek regular feedback from your team and peers.
• Reflect on your decisions and their outcomes.
• Take personality or assessments to better understand your leadership style.

Forbes | Emotional Intelligence No.1 Leadership Skill, Says Research.

In a 2019 Lee Hecht Harrison Penna survey of 500 people managers, a solid majority of respondents (57%) said that EQ was likely to be found in the highest-performing members of a team. Not surprisingly, 75% of respondents use EQ to determine promotions and salary increases.

However, the same survey revealed more than two-thirds of organizations (68%) do not have any formal tools in place to identify, develop or leverage EQ. Further, only 42% provide specific training to help employees cultivate emotional intelligence.?

Read more : https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelwells/2024/01/05/emotional-intelligence-no1-leadership-skill-for-2024-says-research/

This insights highlight how EQ enhances leadership qualities like empathy, communication, and decision-making. Leaders with strong EQ create an environment of trust and confidence that fosters strong teamwork and higher levels of performance.

? What are your next steps in building on your emotional intelligence to elevate your leadership and team performance?