The Emotionally Intelligent Advantage: Unleashing Leadership Excellence

Importance of Emotional Intelligence in a Leader

One attribute that is often overlooked when describing great leaders is emotional intelligence.?It can help a leader understand the power emotions have over what we are, how we relate to things and how we behave.

In turn, having emotional intelligence increases a leader’s ability to make sound business decisions, have effective relationships and be able to cope with the constant changing workplace.?

More importantly, emotionally intelligent leaders can impact an organization’s bottom line.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

There has been some debate about when emotional intelligence was first theorized.?Peter Wayne, in 1985, wrote a study about emotional intelligence, although some suggest it has been around for decades.

Two psychologists, Joy Mayer and Peter Salovey, in 1990, said emotional intelligence had four branches:

• Identifying emotions on a non-verbal level
• Using these emotions to guide cognitive thinking
• Understanding the information emotions convey and actions they generate
• Regulating our own emotions for personal benefits and for the common good

Daniel Goleman, whilst not the first person to produce the theory, brought emotional intelligence to the wider audience in 1995 with his best-selling book, ‘Emotional Intelligence’.?He said that someone needed to process emotional information and use it effectively.?In order to do so, he said there were five distinct areas:

• Emotional self-awareness — knowing how you are feeling at any given time and understanding the impact those moods could have on others
• Self-regulation — controlling our emotions; anticipating consequences before acting on impulse
• Motivation — using emotional factors to achieve goals, enjoy learning processes and continuing, even when faced with obstacles
• Empathy — sensing other’s emotions
• Social skills — managing relationships, inspiring others and gaining desired responses from them

In 2000, a theory was introduced that there was a clear distinction between emotional intelligence as a trait and emotional intelligence as an ability.?Regardless, emotional intelligence is a powerful skill to have, especially as a leader.??

If emotional intelligence is our ability to control our emotions, understand emotions in others and use this information to guide thinking and action, how does a leader with high emotional intelligence behave?

Self-awareness and awareness of others

Probably the most important behaviour is for leaders to understand you are accountable for not only your own actions, but for those of your team members too.?By having that innate self-awareness, as well as the awareness of others, a truly emotionally intelligent leader can create an environment of open communication and enhanced understanding, which in turn can lead to more creative ideas and discussions that result in action.

Realistic goals

Frustrations are likely to come about through impatient leaders demanding unrealistic deadlines for work to be completed, and continually asking ineffective questions, which can result in team members becoming stressed or even start to disengage.?An emotionally intelligent leader will set realistic goals and identify when things may need to change and take appropriate action quickly.

Listening skills

It is no secret that those leaders with effective listening skills are better at communication.?Through emotional intelligence, a great leader can identify issues earlier and respond quicker to build a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Empathy

As with listening skills, those leaders who are emotionally intelligent also use empathy and understanding when things go wrong or when a team member has a particular issue.?This can create a more trusting environment for all team members, resulting in a more collaborative teamworking approach and better performance.

Regardless, emotionally intelligent leaders will use their skills to form better relationships with those around them that can impact the organization’s culture, in turn delivering much more effective business results, consistently.

How will it impact the individual as a leader?

By having that self-awareness, an emotionally intelligent leader can understand their weaknesses or limits and will be able to choose the most effective team members to deliver required results.?

Understanding the impact that the leader could have on others is an exceptional skill to have.?By regulating their words or actions, the leader will remain in control and will not submit to irrational behavior with others.?It means they may have thought through the impact on their decisions, rather than just trying an idea out and then gauging what will happen.

It has been argued that emotionally intelligent leaders do not let stress consume them and can manage it better than others.

Benefits to the organization of emotionally intelligent leaders

In conclusion, the significance of emotional intelligence in leaders cannot be overstated when it comes to organizational success. Leaders who possess a high level of emotional intelligence have a profound impact on the overall well-being and performance of their teams, as well as the organization as a whole. They demonstrate exceptional abilities in areas such as employee engagement, effective communication, conflict resolution, adaptability, decision-making, and promoting employee well-being.

By effectively understanding and managing their own emotions, emotionally intelligent leaders foster a supportive work environment that cultivates trust, engagement, and loyalty among employees. Their exceptional communication skills enable them to establish meaningful connections with others, promoting open dialogue and fostering healthy relationships. These leaders excel at managing conflicts and fostering collaboration, finding mutually beneficial solutions that contribute to the success of the entire team. Furthermore, their adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges inspire others to embrace change with a positive mindset.

Recognizing the significance of emotional intelligence in leaders, organizations should prioritize its development through comprehensive training programs, thoughtful recruitment processes, and ongoing support. By nurturing and cultivating emotional intelligence in leaders, organizations can create a positive and empowering work culture that drives success and fosters the growth and development of both individuals and the organization as a whole.

How do you assess a leader’s emotional intelligence when recruiting for your organization? ?

Unlock the full potential of your organization by harnessing the power of emotionally intelligent leaders. Attracting and retaining top-notch talent with exceptional emotional intelligence is crucial for driving your company's success in today's competitive landscape. These leaders possess the unique ability to connect with employees on a deeper level, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and engagement.

At Quintus Search, we emphasize the importance of identifying and placing leaders who possess high level of emotional intelligence. Our extensive network and rigorous selection process ensure that we present you with top-tier candidates who not only have the requisite skills and experience but also exhibit exceptional emotional intelligence.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your organization to new heights. Contact us today to discuss your leadership needs.