Harnessing the power of emotional intelligence in leadership

You've heard of Steve Jobs, right? He mounted a multi-billion-dollar company, revolutionising industry after industry, ultimately shaping how the entire world interacts with technology. Not bad if you ask me.

So… What exactly did Jobs have to do to get unceremoniously fired from his billion-dollar baby?

Spoiler alert: The guy didn't have the best interpersonal skills. Jobs showed us that the makings of a true leader lie beyond the intellect. This means that unless your leaders develop emotional intelligence (EI), they may never express their full potential in business.

Today, let's discuss how EI can improve not only your people but your entire company.

What are the core components of EI?

Emotional intelligence measures an individual's capacity to perceive and respond to emotions. The term encompasses skills such as:

• Self-awareness: Recognising your own emotions, strengths and weaknesses.
• Self-regulation: Effectively managing your feelings, impulses and behaviours.
• Motivation: Understanding what drives you and the ability to inspire others towards common goals.
• Empathy: Sharing the feelings or perspectives of others.
• Social Skills: Practising open communication, collaboration and respect in social environments.

Factoring EI into decision-making

By weighing emotions into your decision-making process, you can build trust and chart a more collaborative and productive course. As you make decisions, ask yourself the following questions:

• How will this decision impact the people involved?
• What can I do to improve positive outcomes/mitigate negative outcomes?

How does EI improve interpersonal relationships?

Emotional intelligence improves working relationships by empowering leaders with the skills to achieve goals together. A rising tide lifts all boats, so when company managers exhibit strong emotional awareness, their teams will likely pick up on it too.

Here are a few strategies to leverage EI and enhance employee relationships:

Conflict resolution

Emotional intelligence supports conflicting parties to focus on the issue rather than taking things personally. The result? Faster conflict handling and mutually beneficial solutions.

Start by assessing the efficacy of your conflict management process and determine where you could improve outcomes through greater emotional perception.

Effective communication

Create a culture of open communication where everyone can express their ideas without fear of judgement. This builds trust and leads to greater understanding between company members.

Cultivating a supportive team environment

Want to learn how to implement some of these skills? Below are some actionable tips to foster a company culture geared towards openness and mutual respect:

• Self-reflection and regulation: Encourage individuals to reflect regularly using "I feel…," statements. If someone feels overwhelmed, allow them the space to practise calming techniques like deep breathing.
• Active listening: Ask open questions then demonstrate a willingness to listen. Try paraphrasing what you've heard to show your understanding.
• Lead by example: Model emotional intelligence in your interactions to inspire others to follow suit.

Develop EI skills with ICML

Emotional intelligence is the mainstay of effective leadership. Responsiveness to others' feelings encourages a collaborative team culture and can increase productivity.

Especially in today's environment, EI competencies are no longer a 'nice-to-have.' If you want to dive deeper and discover how powerful your leaders can become, check out our targeted Emotional Intelligence – Enhancing Relationships training.