By Emre Emirbayer, Year 12
Based on a Harvard Business School article by Lauren Landry.
In today’s working environments, technical skills are no longer enough to climb the ranks of leadership. While expertise and mastery may get someone a promotion or two, emotional intelligence (EQ) is what truly sets leaders apart from the rest. The ability to manage emotions, understand others and navigate interpersonal relationships is an important skill that influences school or workplace culture, any type of team dynamics and overall success.
Emotional intelligence is considered the ability to recognize, understand and manage your emotions as well as those of others. Psychologists John Mayer and Peter Salovey first introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence in 1990 but it gained public recognition only through the work of Daniel Goleman. According to Goleman, emotional intelligence is a trait common in all successful leaders and that it is equally as important, if not more than IQ.
71% of employers, when evaluating job candidates, value emotional intelligence more than technical abilities. This might come as a surprise to some but it is a widely accepted fact that employees with high EQ are better at managing stress, resolving conflicts and collaborating. These make them invaluable assets in any working context.
To develop strong emotional intelligence, leaders must master four key competencies:
1. Self Awareness
Self awareness is the base of emotional intelligence. It involves recognizing one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses whilst understanding how they impact their performance and interactions. It is interesting to note that research by organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich suggests that 95% of people believe they are self aware whereas in reality, 10-15% actually are. A lack of self awareness can negatively affect the morale of a team, as well as decision making and productivity.
2. Self management
Self management is the ability to control emotional reactions particularly in situations of pressure or high stress. Leaders who struggle with this may respond impulsively or act based on their emotions. In contrast, emotionally intelligent leaders take a more systematic approach of pausing, reflecting and choosing how to respond. They respond, they do not react. Strategies such as deep breathing, taking a walk or stepping away from a tense situation can help maintain composure and make rational decisions.
3. Social awareness
Being socially aware means understanding the emotions of those around you. Leaders with strong social awareness can read a room, pick up on non-verbal cues and show genuine empathy toward their team members. Empathy is a particularly important leadership skill. Studies show that leaders who show empathy perform 40% higher in activities such as coaching, engaging employees and decision making. Being an empathetic leader can bring trust, strengthen team cohesion and create a supportive environment.
4. Relationship management
Strong leaders do not just manage tasks, they manage people. Hence, relationship management is the last element that determines emotional intelligence. It involves effective communication, conflict resolution and the ability to influence others. Conflict is inevitable in social and working environments but how leaders handle it makes all the difference. Research shows that unresolved workplace conflicts waste approximately eight hours per week on unproductive activities. Leaders can create a culture of respect and open communication if only they address issues directly with emotional intelligence.
A leader’s ability to manage emotions does not only affect their own success. It shapes the entire organization. Low emotional intelligence can lead to low engagement and poor communication. These are both elements which hinder growth. In contrast, emotionally intelligent leaders inspire trust and collaboration. They create working environments where employees or students feel valued and motivated.
To strive in the modern world, emotional intelligence is no longer optional. It is essential. By strengthening the four aspects that create an emotionally intelligent person, leaders can navigate challenges with confidence, build stronger teams and promote lasting success.
