“Emotional intelligence starts with ‘me’: self-observation and practice, and many iterations of practice in self-observation until we are aware of ourselves in the moment.” – Dorian Aiken 

Welcome, thoughtful people! Have you ever pondered the profound influence of emotional intelligence on your team’s performance? 

Emotional intelligence, often referred to as EQ, is the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions, as well as understand and influence the emotions of others.

Beyond being a buzzword, it wields substantial power over your team’s performance, as studies and expert research confirm.

Empathy Empowers. One of the cornerstones of emotional intelligence is empathy—the ability to understand and empathize with your team members’ emotions. According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, the leaders who displayed empathy towards their team members were more likely to have engaged and satisfied employees. This emotional connection fostered trust and collaboration, leading to improved performance. Empathy is also the first step in building equity and with equity comes the rest. 

Conflict Resolution. Conflict is an inevitable part of any workplace, but leaders with high EQ excel at handling it. A study published in the Sage Publication found that leaders with higher emotional intelligence were more effective at resolving workplace conflicts. Their ability to understand and address the emotional aspects of disagreements led to quicker and more satisfactory resolutions.

Motivation Mastery. Understanding and connecting with your team’s emotional needs and motivations allows for tailored leadership. According to a study published in the Yale News, leaders who demonstrated emotional intelligence were better at understanding their employees’ individual motivations. This understanding allowed them to customize their leadership approach, resulting in higher levels of employee motivation and engagement.

So, here’s the bottom line: Emotional intelligence isn’t just a trait; it’s your path to becoming an exceptional leader and ensuring team contentment. Now, as we wrap up this chapter, let me leave you with a question to ponder: How does emotional intelligence show up in your leadership journey?