The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
Explore what emotional intelligence in leadership is, its benefits, and its importance. Plus, 8 examples of how leaders can improve emotional intelligence.
Most of us hope to be the kind of leader who engages, understands, and motivates their team in a meaningful way. But it isn’t always easy to know where to start. Leaders who demonstrate emotional intelligence in the workplace are better able to create a culture that thrives on mutual respect, empathy, and collaboration, leading to enhanced team performance and satisfaction. Luckily, there are simple, practical steps you can take to develop your emotional intelligence and enhance your approach to leadership in a work environment.
What is emotional intelligence in leadership?
Emotional intelligence is about understanding your own feelings, why you feel a certain way, and how your emotions can affect people around you. It's also about recognizing how others feel and why, which helps in creating stronger relationships.
In leadership, emotional intelligence is made up of balancing one's own emotions with the needs and feelings of others. Leaders who develop their emotional intelligence can lead more effectively, create a positive work environment, and encourage their teams to reach their full potential.
Self-awareness
Self-awareness is all about understanding your own emotions. It involves recognizing what you're feeling and why, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and knowing how your emotions can affect your decisions and actions. For a leader, self-awareness means being conscious of the impact their mood has on the team's morale.
Self-management
Once you are aware of your emotions, the next step is managing them. This means staying in control of your feelings, even in stressful situations, and behaving in a consistent and reliable manner. Leaders who excel in self-management can stay calm under pressure and keep the team focused.
Motivation
Displaying motivation involves being driven to achieve goals for reasons that go beyond money or status. It's about being passionate about your work, persistently striving for improvement, and being optimistic even in the face of failure. Motivated leaders inspire their teams to work hard and persist through challenges.
Empathy
Being empathetic means understanding and sharing the feelings of others. In leadership, empathy is crucial for managing a successful team or organization. It involves listening to team members, understanding their challenges, and responding appropriately. Leaders who show empathy are better at handling conflicts and creating a positive work environment.
Social skills
Social skills help in interacting and communicating effectively with others. They include the ability to manage relationships, inspire and influence others, communicate clearly, and work well in a team. Leaders with good social skills are great at building and maintaining strong, productive teams.
7 benefits of emotional intelligence for leadership
When it comes to leadership, emotional intelligence is about understanding and connecting with your team on a deeper level. Leaders with emotional intelligence can sense the mood of their team, understand their feelings, and communicate effectively. This isn't just nice to have, it's essential for creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and understood.
1. Be a leader who creates a positive work environment
Leaders with emotional intelligence are adept at creating a workplace atmosphere that is both positive and inclusive. You understand your team's emotions and needs, which helps in creating a work culture where everyone feels valued and supported. This positive environment leads to happier employees and a more productive workplace.
2. Be a leader who encourages team growth and development
Emotionally intelligent leaders are great at nurturing their team's growth. You provide constructive feedback, encourage skill development, and support your team members' professional journeys. This not only helps people in their career growth but also benefits the organization by creating a more skilled and competent workforce.
3. Be a leader who supports innovation and creativity
When you understand and manage emotions effectively, you create a safe space for your team members to think creatively and share new ideas. In such an environment, people feel more comfortable taking risks and thinking outside the box, which can lead to innovative solutions and improvements.
4. Be a leader who inspires maximum effort and commitment
Leaders who demonstrate emotional intelligence are more likely to inspire their team members to give their best effort. You motivate your team by recognizing their hard work and celebrating their successes, which boosts morale and encourages everyone to stay committed and engaged.
5. Be a leader with strong decision-making abilities
Emotionally intelligent leaders are better equipped to make informed and thoughtful decisions. You’re able to understand and weigh the emotional aspects of different situations, which leads to decisions that are beneficial for both the team and the organization.
6. Be a leader who builds foundations of respect with their team
Emotional intelligence helps you build strong, trusting relationships with your team members. You communicate effectively, listen to your team's concerns, and are empathetic to their needs, which supports a strong bond and mutual respect between you and your team.
7. Be a leader with exceptional conflict-resolution skills
Leaders with high emotional intelligence are skilled at resolving conflicts. You approach disagreements with empathy and understanding, identify the root causes, and find solutions that address everyone's concerns. This ability to resolve conflicts in a friendly way is essential in maintaining a harmonious work environment.
How to improve your emotional intelligence as a leader: 8 tips
Improving emotional intelligence as a leader involves a mix of self-awareness, mindfulness, seeking feedback, developing empathy, learning conflict resolution, enhancing communication, taking responsibility, and staying motivated. Each of these steps starts with a simple action that contributes to significant growth in emotional intelligence. By committing to these practices, you can not only better understand and manage your emotions but also positively influence and lead your teams more effectively.
1. Build your self-awareness by keeping a journal
A daily journal gives you space to reflect on your thoughts and feelings each day. This helps build self-awareness, allowing you to understand your emotions and how they impact your decisions and actions. A practical first step is to spend a few minutes each evening writing about the emotions you experienced that day and why you think you felt them.
2. Stay present by practicing mindfulness
Incorporate mindfulness into your routine—this can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing and observe your thoughts without judgment. Mindfulness aids in self-regulation, especially in challenging situations. When dealing with stress or strong emotions, it helps to take your time in choosing how you want to respond to the situation, rather than just reacting.
💙 Kickstart your day with mindfulness with the Starting Off on the Right Foot meditation with Chibs Okereke.
3. Gain insights by seeking feedback
Actively seek feedback from your team and peers. This can provide valuable insights into how others perceive your emotional responses and interactions. Start by asking a trusted colleague for honest feedback on a recent interaction or decision and be open to what they share.
💙 Cultivate a Service Mindset to help you make your team’s job easier (and more effective) and provide more meaning to your role as a leader.
4. Develop empathy through active listening
Make an effort to understand others' perspectives by actively listening to your team members, showing genuine interest in their views, and acknowledging their feelings. You could start by asking a team member about their experience on a recent project and really listen to their response.
💙 Quality listening takes time and practice. Join Tamara Levitt as she guides you through an exercise on Listening and how to stay in the moment when in conversation.
5. Enhance your conflict resolution skills by starting small
This involves understanding different viewpoints and finding common ground. Begin by approaching a small disagreement with the goal of understanding both sides and finding a mutually agreeable solution.
💙 Learn how to mindfully navigate work conflicts with this meditation about Conflict Resolution.
6. Concentrate on what you’re hearing to improve your communication skills
Work on clear and effective communication. Being an effective communicator means not just talking but also listening actively. You could start by ensuring you understand what someone is saying by summarizing what they said before responding with your opinion or advice.
💙 Improve your communication skills by practicing mindful listening during the short Listen Up meditation.
7. Take responsibility for your actions by learning from your mistakes
Acknowledging your mistakes and learning from them shows self-awareness and the ability to self-manage. When you realize you've made a mistake, admit it to those affected and discuss ways to avoid similar issues in the future.
💙 Explore how your setbacks can serve you during The Failure Resume session of the Daily Jay.
8. Set goals to stay motivated
Keep your motivation high by setting and working toward personal and professional goals. Setting a small, achievable goal related to your work can be a good starting point. Remind yourself of why you chose your role and what you love about it.
💙 Get clear on The ‘Why’ Behind Your Goals with Jay Shetty to stay motivated as you work to achieve them.
Emotional intelligence in leadership FAQs
What are the 4 pillars of emotional intelligence?
The four pillars of emotional intelligence are:
Self-awareness: Knowing your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior.
Self-management: Managing your emotions in healthy ways, taking initiative, following through on commitments, and adapting to changing circumstances.
Social awareness: Understanding the emotions, needs, and concerns of other people, picking up on emotional cues, and recognizing the power dynamics in a group or organization.
Relationship management: Developing and maintaining good relationships, communicating clearly, working well in a team, and managing conflict.
What are the 7 signs of emotional intelligence?
Seven signs of emotional intelligence include:
Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding your own emotions
Empathy: The ability to feel and understand the emotions of others
Self-regulation: Being able to control and manage your emotions
Motivation: A drive to set and achieve goals for personal reasons, not just for rewards
Social skills: Being good at building relationships, communicating, and managing conflicts
Humility: Recognizing that you don't know everything and being open to new ideas and feedback
A sense of humor: The ability to laugh at oneself and not take things too seriously, which can ease tense situations
Can emotional intelligence be learned and improved over time?
Yes, emotional intelligence can be learned and improved over time. It involves self-awareness, practicing empathy, learning to manage your emotions, and improving your social skills. Like any skill, it requires practice and dedication. You can start by becoming more aware of your own emotions, how you react to them, and how you interact with others. Over time—and with consistent practice—you can improve your emotional intelligence.
What is EQ vs IQ?
Emotional quotient (EQ) and intelligence quotient (IQ) measure different things. IQ is a number that represents a person's reasoning and problem-solving abilities compared to others of the same age. EQ, on the other hand, measures a person's level of emotional intelligence, which includes how well they understand their own emotions and the emotions of others, and how well they handle relationships. While IQ is mostly static—meaning it stays the same—EQ can be developed and improved over time.
What is EQ hijacking?
EQ hijacking refers to a situation where a person's emotions take over their behavior in a way that is not rational. This usually happens in high-stress situations where the emotional response can override logical thinking and be the main factor that drives your actions. Learning to recognize when this is happening and how to manage it is an important part of developing emotional intelligence.
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