Forbes Council: Emotional Intelligence For Leadership And Organizational Success
Leen Kawas | Entrepreneur, Inventor, Innovator and Leader | Managing General Partner at Propel Bio Partners.
In today’s dynamic business, cultural, generational, social and geopolitical landscape, technical skills and industry knowledge are no longer sufficient for leaders to excel. In my years of not only leading a business but also working with other organizations, I have found that emotional intelligence (EI) is often a critical factor in leadership effectiveness, team performance and overall organizational success.
Let’s take a closer look at EI and what actionable strategies you can use to enhance this skill set for not only your benefit as a leader but also for your organization at large.
The Impact Of Emotional Intelligence On Leadership
In my experience, leaders with high EI tend to create positive work environments, foster stronger relationships and drive better business outcomes. Here’s how:
1. Improved Communication: Having high EI can help leaders communicate more effectively by tailoring their message and approach to their audience. Emotional intelligence often translates as being adept at reading nonverbal cues and adjusting one’s communication style accordingly, resulting in clearer, more impactful interactions.
2. Productive Conflict Resolution: Emotionally intelligent leaders are often less afraid of conflict because they know how to approach it with empathy and objectivity. They’re able to deescalate tense situations, find common ground and guide teams toward constructive solutions. I’ve also come to recognize the benefits of leveraging conflict to drive growth.
3. Increased Employee Engagement: Through genuine interactions and understanding for your team members, you can foster a sense of belonging and motivation, potentially leading to higher employee engagement, retention and productivity.
4. Better Decision-Making: Leaders with strong emotional intelligence are often more self-aware and less prone to impulsive decisions. They can consider the emotional impact of their choices on others, which can then lead to more balanced and effective long-term decision-making.
How Leader EI Shapes Company Culture
A leader’s emotional intelligence shouldn’t just impact their immediate interactions; it should also permeate the entire organizational culture.
1. Setting The Tone: Leaders model behavior for the entire organization. When executives demonstrate high EI, it helps set a standard for emotional awareness and regulation throughout the company.
2. Fostering Psychological Safety: Emotionally intelligent leaders can effectively create environments where employees feel safe to express ideas, take risks and admit mistakes. This is important for innovation and continuous improvement.
* In Yourself
3. Building Resilience: Organizations led by emotionally intelligent executives are often better equipped to navigate change and adversity. According to an NIH study, leaders with high EI are more likely to know how to inspire confidence and provide emotional support to team members during challenging times.
* In Your Team
Strategies For Improving Emotional Intelligence
Having high EI doesn’t necessarily mean that you will never lose your cool. However, being able to recognize the impact of losing your temperand develop strategies to manage conflict effectively is a great step toward maintaining a healthy workplace balance. Consider implementing stress-management techniques such as deep breathing, positive visualization and, if possible, taking a brief walk.
There are many things you can do to enhance the overall EI in your workplace. First, directly seek feedback from your colleagues, mentors and direct reports in order to gather invaluable insights regarding how to continuously improve the overall EI for your organization. In my experience, I’ve found it helpful to seek honest feedback during one-to-one conversations, where individuals may feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.
This can be an effective way to then launch some team building to cultivate trust and collective empathy in your team and to show recognition of the team’s commitment to the mission of your organization. I’ve found it impactful to show gratitude by directly thanking employees, remembering the things that are important to them, and reminding them of the positive impact of their presence.
Measuring The Impact Of Emotional Intelligence
To help ensure your efforts in developing EI are paying off, consider these methods:
1. 360-Degree Feedback: Implement regular 360-degree feedback assessments to gauge how others perceive the emotional intelligence of their leaders, other team members and overall for the organization. Track changes in employee engagement and satisfaction scores as you develop your EI skills.
2. Performance Metrics: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) that may be influenced by improved leadership, such as team productivity, employee retention and customer satisfaction.
3. Self-Assessment: Regularly assess your own progress using emotional intelligence assessment tools or questionnaires. I greatly enjoy using tools like BlueEQ to provide me with insights on my progress and areas that need more improvement.
Emotional intelligence is not a soft skill; it’s an important competency for leaders in today’s complex business environment. I have witnessed how, by developing and leveraging EI, executives can create more engaged teams, foster innovative cultures and drive sustainable organizational success. The journey to improve emotional intelligence is ongoing, but the rewards-both personal and professional-are often substantial.
Remember: As a leader, your emotional intelligence sets the tone for your entire organization. By committing to enhancing your EI, you’re not just improving your own leadership capabilities; you’re paving the way for a more emotionally intelligent, resilient and successful company.
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Originally published at https://www.forbes.com.
