Leaders possess a wide array of skills required to help a company excel. Emotional intelligence is one of the key factors that separates OK leaders from great ones. Learn how emotional intelligence affects your ability to lead a team with our helpful tips below!
What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is sometimes referred to as emotional quotient. A person possesses emotional intelligence when they are able to effectively recognize and manage their own emotions, especially in response to the emotions of others. It takes many years of commitment and practice to develop emotional intelligence as a leader.
What are the signs of emotional intelligence?
Not sure whether you or your leadership team possesses emotional intelligence? Here are the key leadership qualities to look for:
- Self-awareness: understanding how your own emotions impact your thoughts, behavior, and decision-making ability
- Self-regulation: the ability to adapt to changes without letting your emotions impact your behavior
- Motivation: the drive to achieve your goals, including the work it takes to achieve them, like self-improvement and setting high standards
- Empathy: understanding other people’s feelings with the capacity to respond to different situations with compassion
- Social skills: the ability to build positive relationships and work well with others
How does emotional intelligence play into leadership?
A key characteristic of a great leader is their grasp on the importance of emotional intelligence. Armed with confidence and compassion, an emotionally intelligent leader has the ability to empathize with the challenges their team faces. An emotionally intelligent leader fosters an environment of growth, especially through their own actions. Leadership is all about leading by example. So when your team members see you demonstrating motivation, empathy, and self-regulation, they will be more motivated to behave in a similar manner. Emotional intelligence also helps leaders utilize their social skills to bring out the best in their team.
How can leadership help develop their own emotional intelligence?
If strengthening your emotional intelligence is of high interest, then here are our recommendations for working on improving your EI:
- Request feedback: Ask your current team of managers to evaluate your emotional intelligence and leadership style. This can provide valuable insights into what areas of EI you need to work on to improve.
- Practice managing your emotions: Every accomplishment starts with practice. If you want to be more in tune with your emotions and strengthen your ability to self-regulate, then you need to start practicing, especially when it comes to managing stress. A few tips for managing your emotions include practicing mindfulness, prioritizing self-care, and using breathwork to stay calm in stressful situations.
Work with Prescott HR
Does your leadership team need help developing emotional intelligence? We are here to help! Prescott HR offers a wide range of services to help your organization evaluate your current team’s strengths and offer recommendations for growth, as needed. Our unintimated HR practices allow us to be focused and effective, providing your business with precisely what you need. Give us a call today at 443-351-8818 or contact us online.