Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is a measure of a person’s awareness of and ability to manage his or her own emotions. People with high emotional intelligence recognize their own emotional states and the effect those emotions have on others, they are able to regulate their emotional responses in order to control or reduce disruptive impulses and moods, and they have a high degree of empathy.

The key elements of Emotional Intelligence are:

* Self –Awareness: If you're self-aware, you always know how you feel. And you know how your emotions, and your actions, can affect the people around you. Being self-aware when you're in a leadership position also means having a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses. And it means having humility.

* Self-Regulation: Leaders who regulate themselves effectively rarely verbally attack others, make rushed or emotional decisions, stereotype people, or compromise their values. Self-regulation is all about staying in control.

This element of emotional intelligence, according to Goleman, also covers a leader's flexibility and commitment to personal accountability.

* Motivation: Self-motivated leaders consistently work toward their goals. And they have extremely high standards for the quality of their work.

* Empathy: For leaders, having empathy is critical to managing a successful team or organization. Leaders with empathy have the ability to put themselves in someone else's situation. They help develop the people on their team, challenge others who are acting unfairly, give constructive feedback, and listen to those who need it.

If you want to earn the respect and loyalty of your team, then show them you care by being empathic.

Why is Emotional Intelligence so important to successful strategic leadership?

Goleman (1998) contends that the higher ranking a leader is the more important high emotional intelligence becomes. The most senior leaders in an organization are responsible for strategic leadership. They...