Understanding me, understanding you

Become powerful you have, the dark side in you I sense. Yrsssss.

Yoda says he "feels" the dark side of his young student's strength...and what about us: when was the last time we "really and truly" felt the other?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It is a key skill for sales leaders who want to achieve success and excellence in their field, especially in the post-pandemic world of 2023 and beyond.

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EQ can help us in various aspects of our daily life, such as:

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- Developing effective strategies and tactics. Leaders with high EQ can leverage their understanding of the market, the industry, and the customer needs to craft compelling value propositions and solutions. They can also deploy their resources optimally and segment their teams according to their strengths and specialties;

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- Establishing authority and credibility. Leaders with high EQ can demonstrate their expertise and confidence in their product or service, as well as their industry and market knowledge. They can also communicate clearly and persuasively, highlighting the proper product features, benefits, and outcomes. They can also handle any question, objection, or challenge that a prospect or customer may pose, by using facts and empathy.

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- Understanding and influencing customer behavior. Leaders with high EQ can empathize with their customers needs, preferences, pain points, motivations, and decision-making processes. They can tailor their communication style, messaging, and offers to match their customers expectations and desires. They can also identify potential opportunities, upsell or cross-sell products or services, and overcome objections or barriers.

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- Leading and coaching their team. Leaders with high EQ can recognize their team's strengths, weaknesses, goals, and challenges. They can assign roles and responsibilities, set clear expectations and objectives, provide feedback and guidance, and motivate and inspire their team members. They can also share their knowledge with their team, by providing training, mentoring, and coaching opportunities. They can also create a positive work environment that embraces diversity and prioritizes the needs of their employees.

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EQ is not a fixed trait that one is born with or without. It is a set of skills that can be acquired and improved over time. Sales Leaders who want to lead with EQ in 2023 should practice self-awareness, keep their emotions in check, seek feedback from others, learn from their mistakes, and seek opportunities to enhance their EQ skills.

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EQ is one of the main new indicators for evaluating success in 2023.

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Leaders who lead with EQ will have a competitive edge over those who rely solely on IQ (intelligent quotient) or technical skills. They will be able to create more value for their customers, more engagement for their team, and more growth for their business.