Today’s business world demands that leaders are equipped with the mindset, skill set and tool sets to make well-informed decisions to drive their organizations forward. Becoming a mentor and lifetime learner is essential to staying ahead of the competition and making the right kind of impact. Emotional intelligence (EI) has become part of the definition of what it means to be a great leader in today's society. The power of emotional intelligence in leadership gives individuals the ability to use their understanding of the emotions of others and their own to run an organization. It allows leaders to think with empathy and react with confidence. Leveraging EI can help with customer service, decision-making, problem-solving and even recruitment. In this article we will explore the benefit of EI, developing EI and giving examples of people who demonstrate EI in their leadership roles.
Benefits of emotional intelligence in leadership
The practice of emotional intelligence helps to bring the focus back to the importance of the people who run the organization. The more understanding that a leader has around the emotions of their teams, the better informed their decisions and the more likely they will make the right call. EI can also help leaders develop deeper bonds with their teams, making them more likely to follow an individual’s lead and stay engaged and motivated throughout the workday. Leaders with a high EI can work with their teams to make sure everyone’s voice is represented in the organization’s overall decision-making process and to effectively manage conflicts.
How to develop emotional intelligence in leadership
Developing emotional intelligence can be a difficult process, but it can be done. The key is to start small and grow confidently. Leaders can practice self-awareness and reflection to gain a better understanding of the emotions of their team. They should also practice active listening to understand communication and feedback from both their team and stakeholders. Leaders should be open to feedback and actively seek out opportunities to enhance their emotional intelligence. Staying educated on the principles of emotional intelligence and engaging in open dialogue will also help build understanding and develop confidence in EI.
Examples of leaders who demonstrate emotional intelligence
The power of emotional intelligence in leadership is demonstrated all over, from executive positions in Fortune 500 companies to customer service lines and beyond. For example, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos uses EI to create an engaged, autonomous and diverse workplace. He encourages different perspectives and feedback within the organization, demonstrating his understanding of how emotions can impact decision-making. Another example is customer service leader, Zappos, which focuses on providing equal levels of respect, support and understanding to customers, regardless of their feelings or thoughts. The company has built a culture based on emotional intelligence, from their hiring processes to the way they interact with customers.
Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in modern business, and leaders must take the time to understand and develop it. From customer service to decision making, leaders must be able to recognize and accommodate the feelings, attitudes and emotions of those around them. This requires not only self-awareness, but also a certain level of self-management and empathy. By building emotional intelligence, leaders can build stronger teams, foster collaboration, manage conflicts, make better decisions and lead their organizations to success.