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One hundred percent of senior leaders at a Fortune 500 consumer products company experienced notable gains in their performance, including significant bottom-line improvements for their areas of responsibility. (1) What was behind this beneficial turn of events?

These leaders all completed an emotional intelligence training program.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) refers to the level at which someone can recognize, manage, and express their own emotions. It also includes the ability to influence the emotions of other people. Those who have a high EQ tend to display the following characteristics:

  • Self-regulation
  • Self-awareness
  • Motivation
  • Social skills
  • Empathy

Communication is Key

Reading signals expressed in other people’s emotions is critical for achieving career success. It may be a cliché, but it is true: People want to work with people they like. A strong EQ empowers leaders to communicate their vision, influence colleagues and build a rapport with stakeholders.

All great leaders are great communicators; it is a defining characteristic of the role. EQ dictates how well a person can communicate with others. This communication includes how they share their vision and strategies and how easily others are motivated to buy into them.

Communication is, quite simply, the cornerstone of leadership. Every part of the job encompasses communication. Leaders spend most of their time communicating – with employees, customers, partners, and other stakeholders. It is the primary way leaders inspire stakeholders and advance the value propositions they want to implement.

Smart Decisions Hinge on EQ

 Decisions that are well-informed stand a much better chance of yielding desired outcomes. Leaders bear the responsibility of making significant decisions that heavily impact the business in many ways.

The presence of an advanced EQ drives smart decision-making. Leaders who possess EQ have the mental tools they need to analyze behavior, thinking, and results and influence all of them in the company’s favor.

EQ Strong Leaders Thrive During Crises

When a crisis strikes, leaders must act swiftly and confidently with a cool head. The pressure is on them to perform well under exceptionally difficult circumstances. There is no room for hesitation or self-doubt, nor is there a place for inflated egos.

Leaders that are strong in EQ thrive during times of crisis. Self-awareness is the quality that serves them best when they are under duress. They understand how their emotions could influence their behavior and thinking. These characteristics empower EQ strong leaders to recognize and leverage their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses or self-destructive thoughts.

Completion of emotional intelligence training helped senior leaders at a leading United States research university make a 35 percent improvement in their ability to prevent emotional outbursts from hindering their performance. (1)

The bottom line? Leaders with high EQ steer their ship through turbulent waters and guide the crew safely to shore – every time.

Developing emotional intelligence as a leader is about so much more than merely expressing feelings. Building a high EQ helps leaders nurture professional relationships, influence stakeholders, and make decisions that will help their business become more profitable in the long haul.

Uncertain times call for creative thinking. Contact Gavel International to be inspired with solutions that connect and engage your people.
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SOURCES:

  1. https://www.talentsmarteq.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TalentSmart-ROI-in-EQ.pdf

 

This article was last updated on September 21, 2022

Jim Bozzelli
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