"You Made First Class!" How Leaders Make You Feel

After years of flying around the country and speaking to leaders and teams, I still get a good feeling when I learn I've been upgraded to first class. Most recently, upon hearing I've been moved from premium seating to first class, I comfortably settled into my seat next to the airline pilot, heading home after a long week of travels and work. We struck up a conversation and he immediately took an interest in what I did professionally, even my family passions, and new golf techniques.?

Nearing the end of the flight,?it?occurred to me, that not only was I seated in first class–?he made me feel first class!?I've noted that the best leaders and best people make you feel special, important, unique, valued, gifted, and FIRST CLASS.

We call them "soft skills" but they're anything but soft: empathy, vulnerability, kindness, listening, compassion, emotional regulation, self-control. These are hard-edge leadership skills that play an essential role in your personal and professional triumphs.

The Harvard Business Review reported that companies that prioritize emotional intelligence and "soft skills" training witness a substantial return on investment, with a 256% increase in overall performance, team morale, and cooperation.

Developing First class skills is an art of intentionality where every interaction, conversation, word, and gesture constitutes a brush stroke on the canvas of your professional influence, impact, and reputation.

Here's a visual reminder of shifting from hard skill focus to soft skill, first class focus:

Workplaces can unlock a limitless world of possibilities as we focus on what actually matters most today, making others feel first-class and building first-class teams!

Here's to upgrading your leadership!

–Steve

Unlock a world of possibilities: Emotional Intelligence for First Class Leaders and Teams