Emotional Intelligence for Leaders

05/04/2018

Emotional Intelligence for Leaders

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Lao Tzu

Tracy Crossley, in a Huffington Post blog, lists 10 important qualities leaders need for emotional intelligence and why they are important:

1. Compassion
Leaders possessing emotional intelligence are not afraid of the emotions of others…Their style is about growing an organization that cares about their employees and anyone who conducts business with them…

2. Effective Communication
Leaders who share their vision or strategy often with those around them, so everyone is on the same page, lead a more efficient workplace. Motivation comes from effective communication…

3. Self-Awareness
With self-awareness a leader can focus on the strengths he or she possesses, while hiring individuals who perform well in areas where the leader lacks astuteness…

4. Authenticity
Knowing oneself and acting from that truth draws people to a leader. Being real, making decisions that are in alignment with how a leader truly operates rarely requires second-guessing…

5. Respect
Respect is not just about others; the emotionally intelligent leader practices self-respect. How a leader treats themselves matters, because it is reflected back in the people he or she manages…

6. Leading With Heart
Leaders who have passion show their emotions and vulnerability, and they connect with many employees on an emotional level, too...

7. Sense of Humor
…People tend to work harder and smarter when there is a sense of fun. Morale is linked to productivity, and as a leader, this means to instill a positive energy to the workspace.

8. Confidence
As a leader, there will be crisis and calm times when things are not moving forward. Whatever size the business, it’s important to not fall into overwhelm or overreact. People look to the leader for cues on how to respond to the circumstances and if a leader is confident while taking care of issues, it will help keep the team feeling the same…

9. Intuition
Intuitive leaders make quick decisions based on a lifetime of accumulated wisdom and understanding…

10. Creativity
...Collaborative brainstorming with no holds barred can bring an entirely new and creative solution to a challenge…

Source: "10 Reasons Why Emotional Intelligence is Critical for Leaders," by Tracy Crossley, Huffington Post, March 2, 2018

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