The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence In Leadership

Daniel Goleman, in his book ‘Emotional Intelligence,’ pens that people’s emotional intelligence was more important than their IQ.  People who were well-adjusted emotionally were more likely to have better leadership skills, mental health, and job performance. According to the author, superior EI (Emotional Intelligence) was twice as necessary as the skills and IQ required for completing a job.

Emotional intelligence is a hot topic that has gained traction in recent years. Furthermore, it accounts for nearly 90 percent of what sets great performers apart from competitors. As a result, many leaders turn to emotional intelligence to analyse the performance of their employees.

How is that?

Emotional intelligence in leadership is extremely important as it works toward self-awareness, increases accountability, improves communication, and builds relationships. This blog examines how emotional intelligence can have a substantial impact on leadership. We will also discuss tips on how to improve your emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence & Leadership: The Importance of Their Synergy

Emotional intelligence is the ability to comprehend, control, and develop your own feelings while understanding others’ feelings. Due to the growing complexity of society, the need for leaders to create happier and more productive workers has increased.

Since it does not come naturally to everyone, emotional intelligence can be learned and developed. The good news is that high EI makes you an effective leader and enables you to help others improve their EI. Let us walk you through the results of emotional intelligence in leadership.

#1. Builds Trustful Relationships

No one but a leader with high emotional intelligence can understand the importance of building confiding relationships. Unarguably, trust forms the basis for developing any connection. Therefore, it becomes imperative for leaders to create an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

A leader with high emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills strives to set the tone right and ensures its flow down the hierarchy.

#2. Enables Leaders to Manage their Own Emotions Better

Self-awareness is the first step in the direction of controlling emotions. Emotionally intelligent leaders efficiently manage their emotions and get through difficult conversations.

People who make impulsive decisions or lose control over emotions lose their team’s respect and trust. But on the other hand, effective leader sails through turbulent waters while handling people around them.

#3. Enables Leaders to Understand Others

People with high emotional intelligence gauge the emotions of others more accurately. The reason is they have a good understanding of their own mental state. The increased empathy leads to more thoughtful decisions while motivating team members.

This very characteristic allows the leaders to relate to the organisation and build a rapport with its people. And it results in developing a better understanding among human resources.

#4. Leads to Collaborative Communication

Emotional intelligence in leadership develops leaders who understand their coworkers. On that account, emotionally intelligent leaders instantly match the tone and mitigate communications that create tension.

The world has seen enough leaders who speak with honesty & sincerity, and the credit goes to their emotional quotient.

#5. Enhances Leadership Decision-making Skills

Decision-making skills aren’t something you can develop overnight. However, an emotionally intelligent leader determines and analyses all his options before deciding. Simply put, they don’t jump to unplanned conclusions but make informed decisions with both the head and the heart.

Effective leadership involves leaders incorporating logical reasoning and weighing the impact of their choices on the organisation.

ALSO READ: How to Promote Leadership Development in Your Organisation?

Tips to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

Let’s examine the aspects you must include to improve your emotional intelligence as a leader.

• Self-awareness – Become self-aware of your emotions before you begin understanding the emotions of people around you. A better understanding of your emotions will enable you to manage them more efficiently.

• Manage your reactions – How you react to things is your choice. Pause to think before you take action. This will give you an opportunity to respond in a constructive way that is helpful for others, too.

• Effective communication – Communicating effectively is the key to becoming an emotionally intelligent leader. Also, try to listen to what others say and respect their opinions. When you understand others’ perspectives, you get to know the other side of the topic in discussion.

• Practice stress management – Stress is a factor that can impact your decision-making power. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a check on your stress levels. If you feel your stress is worsening, look for ways to rejuvenate yourself or try relaxation techniques to boost your physical and mental power.

In Summary

Whatever workplace model your organisation follows, emotional intelligence never fails to nurture efficient leaders. Therefore, relationships thrive when leaders step up to understand their employees and work toward emotional management. The world is living in times of a pragmatic approach toward emotional intelligence to understand what it includes and doesn’t.

The scientific viewpoint states that emotional intelligence is perceiving emotions— yours and others, and managing them. After all, you would want your employees to feel valued and respected as you create an environment they won’t want to leave.

Our profession demands professionalism, trust, and reliable service regarding clients and candidates. If you are looking for talented professionals to help your organisation achieve its goals, contact the experts at Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP) Singapore and access cutting-edge talent.

Be a one-of-a-kind leader for your company and build a forward-thinking team with us.

RELATED READ:

• Why Employee Upskilling is Essential During Economic Uncertainty?
• The Employee Productivity-Happiness Loop: How One Influences the Other
• The Connection Between Employee Recognition and Retention

FAQs

1. What is emotional intelligence in leadership?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions and recognise others’ emotions. It comprises empathy, social skills, self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation. Developing emotional intelligence makes one a better leader and ensures one gets the most out of their team.

2. What is the importance of emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise and manage your emotions and understand other people’s emotions and perspectives. Emotional intelligence is essential because it allows a person to manage his emotions better and make informed decisions in his personal and professional life.

3. How can emotional intelligence make leaders more effective?

An emotionally intelligent person can make informed decisions as he thinks before taking any step. Moreover, developing emotional intelligence lets a person control his emotions without making decisions in haste. As a result, the person becomes a better and an effective leader who can guide the organisation in the right direction. In other words, an emotionally intelligent person is:

• Self-aware

• Better decision maker

• Empathetic

• Good listener

• Careful of his reactions