Leading With Heart and Mind

Welcome back to Build a Better You! Each week, I share practical insights from my coaching journey to help leaders and professionals grow with resilience, purpose, and genuine connection. This week’s edition dives into emotional intelligence, exploring how self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability elevate leadership.

We’ll look at the Triple A Model, techniques for inclusive leadership, and how EQ drives conflict resolution.

This Week’s Focus:

• Building Self-Awareness Through the Triple A Model
• Inclusive Leadership with Emotional Intelligence
• Conflict Resolution: Responding Instead of Reacting
• Strengthening Relationships with Empathy

1. Building Self-Awareness Through the Triple A Model

As part of my recent capstone project in Penang, I introduced the Triple A model—a tool designed to help leaders enhance their emotional intelligence. The model revolves around three steps:

• Awareness: Observing your own emotional patterns and how they influence your decisions. Awareness is the foundation for understanding yourself and adapting to different contexts.
• Acceptance: Embracing your emotions without judgment. Acceptance fosters compassion for yourself and others, especially when facing challenges or conflict.
• Action: Translating awareness and acceptance into thoughtful responses, rather than knee-jerk reactions. This intentional action creates more authentic and constructive outcomes.

Takeaway for Leaders: The Triple A model helps us reflect before reacting. When we understand our emotions, we’re better equipped to lead with authenticity and resilience.

Reflection Question: “How often do I pause to understand my emotions before responding in high-stakes situations?”

Quote for Inspiration: “To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in someone else.” — Dalai Lama

2. Inclusive Leadership with Emotional Intelligence

Inclusive leadership is about creating environments where every voice is valued. Leaders who are emotionally intelligent actively listen, show empathy, and adapt to their team members' needs. In recent workshops on inclusive leadership, I saw the power of emotional intelligence in fostering open, collaborative spaces.

Practical Tips for Inclusive Leadership:

• Listen to Understand: When people feel heard, they’re more likely to engage fully and share openly.
• Encourage Diverse Perspectives: Show curiosity and respect for different viewpoints, especially when they challenge your own assumptions.
• Practice Empathy: Empathy strengthens connections and fosters trust.

Takeaway for Leaders: Inclusive leaders who demonstrate EQ create a culture where everyone feels valued, making teams more innovative and resilient.

Reflection Question: “How am I showing respect for diverse perspectives in my leadership approach?”

Quote for Inspiration: “Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.” — Mohsin Hamid

3. Conflict Resolution: Responding Instead of Reacting

Conflict is often a chance to deepen understanding and strengthen relationships, yet it requires emotional intelligence to manage well. In my recent conflict resolution sessions, I highlighted strategies to approach conflict with empathy and focus on the issue, not the person.

Techniques for Productive Conflict Resolution:

• Acknowledge Emotions: Emotions, when managed well, can provide insight into underlying needs and motivations.
• Focus on the Issue, Not the Person: By separating behavior from identity, we can reduce defensiveness and open pathways for resolution.
• Establish Common Goals: Aligning on shared outcomes encourages collaborative problem-solving.

Takeaway for Leaders: Conflict can become a source of growth when we approach it with curiosity and empathy. By prioritizing resolution over reaction, we maintain strong relationships and build trust.

Reflection Question: “How do I manage my emotions during conflict to ensure productive conversations?”

Quote for Inspiration: “In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.” — Albert Einstein

4. Strengthening Relationships with Empathy

Empathy is essential for effective leadership, but it goes beyond simply “putting yourself in others' shoes.” Empathy in action means taking time to understand the needs, values, and motivations of those around us.

Ways to Practice Empathy:

• Ask Open Questions: Show a genuine interest in people’s perspectives and experiences.
• Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer feedback that is empathetic and supportive, guiding others to improve without diminishing their efforts.
• Be Present: Give others your full attention in conversations, showing that their thoughts and feelings matter.

Takeaway for Leaders: Empathy is at the heart of emotional intelligence, helping leaders build trust and loyalty with their teams.

Reflection Question: “How can I be more present in my interactions to foster trust and understanding?”

Quote for Inspiration: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

Thank you for joining this week’s Build a Better You! Emotional intelligence is an invaluable skill for leadership and personal growth. I hope this week’s insights inspire you to build deeper connections and lead with compassion. Here’s to cultivating a mindful approach that strengthens both personal and professional relationships.

Wishing you a week filled with self-awareness, empathy, and connection,

Terence.