How to Level Up Your Leadership Skills Through Emotional Intelligence

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We all know thatleadershipisn’t just about meeting goals or hitting targets. When we picture a good leader, we think of someone who is able to inspire, motivate, guide, support, and empathize with their employees. They’re able to connect with people on a deeper level. This requires emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligenceis essentially the ability to understand our own emotions, which in turn enables us to recognize and empathize with the emotions of others, saysJerry Colona, a leadership coach and author of “Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up.”

We can’t overstate the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. In fact, a 2014 research study notes that the difference between a brilliant person and a brilliant leader is their emotional intelligence.

In this article, we explore the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership as well as some strategies to develop your emotional intelligence and apply it in leadership scenarios.

At a GlanceEmotional intelligence is the secret sauce that helps us become effective, compassionate, and successfulleaders. Research shows us that leadership in the 21st century is as much about EQ as it is about IQ.Self-awareness is key to leveling up our leadership skills. By paying attention to our own emotional reactions, we can better understand where others are coming from.Actively listeningto others and asking teammates for feedback can help us be more tuned in to others’ emotions.

At a Glance

Emotional intelligence is the secret sauce that helps us become effective, compassionate, and successfulleaders. Research shows us that leadership in the 21st century is as much about EQ as it is about IQ.Self-awareness is key to leveling up our leadership skills. By paying attention to our own emotional reactions, we can better understand where others are coming from.Actively listeningto others and asking teammates for feedback can help us be more tuned in to others’ emotions.

Emotional intelligence is the secret sauce that helps us become effective, compassionate, and successfulleaders. Research shows us that leadership in the 21st century is as much about EQ as it is about IQ.

Self-awareness is key to leveling up our leadership skills. By paying attention to our own emotional reactions, we can better understand where others are coming from.Actively listeningto others and asking teammates for feedback can help us be more tuned in to others’ emotions.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

These are some of the reasons why emotional intelligence is important in leadership:

Emotional intelligence is an important quality in leaders because we are all human and emotions are a large part of being human. Leading without tolerance for human emotion makes for horrible leadership.—JERRY COLONA, LEADERSHIP COACH

Emotional intelligence is an important quality in leaders because we are all human and emotions are a large part of being human. Leading without tolerance for human emotion makes for horrible leadership.

—JERRY COLONA, LEADERSHIP COACH

IQ (intelligence quotient) was once considered the gold standard in determining success.However, research now shows that IQ contributes only 20% to success, while EQ (emotional quotient) contributes 80%.EQ is considered a vital quality in 21st century leaders.

Developing Emotional Intelligence Skills

These are some strategies that can help you develop youremotional intelligence skills:

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Applying Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Scenarios

These are some scenarios you might encounter as a leader, as well as some suggestions on how to handle them with emotional intelligence.

Building a New Team

Picture yourself leading a new team with members of different personal and professional backgrounds. No one really knows anyone and everyone isn’t quite on the same page yet.

Take the time to get to know each person and understand their strengths. Schedule regular team huddles where people discuss strategies, ideas, and issues. Encourage collaboration andteamwork. Through team-building activities, create space for people to bond with each other.

Dealing With Change

Imagine your company is going through a major restructuring, causing uncertainty among your team. Everyone is super stressed and anxious, wondering what it means for them.

Openly address the changes, sharing as much information as you’re allowed to. Answer questions honestly, acknowledge the emotions involved, and offer your support. Actively involve the team in the transition process.

Giving Feedback

Perhaps one of the hardest parts of a job is giving someone negativefeedback. You don’t want to hurt their feelings, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

Handling Team Conflict

If there is conflict on your team, it can lead to tension and strain. Conflict puts everyone on edge and emotions tend to run high.

Understand the issue from every angle. Acknowledge everyone’s frustrations and address their concerns. Bring people together to work out a fair and equitable solution. Create an environment where everyone feels heard.

Managing a Crisis

Your team is suddenly facing an unexpected crisis. People aren’t sure what to do or how to handle it.

It’s important that you stay calm and composed. Take charge and work out a plan. Give everyone clear instructions so they know what to do. Acknowledge thestresseveryone is feeling but show them you’re confident in their ability to overcome the challenge.

Celebrating Achievements

Your team has successfully completed a challenging project or achieved a major goal.

Take the time to celebrate the success with the team. Call out every member of the team and recognize their contributions. Make it a point to reward their accomplishments.

Keep in Mind

7 Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kumar S.Establishing linkages between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership.Ind Psychiatry J. 2014;23(1):1-3. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.144934Di Lorenzo R, Venturelli G, Spiga G, Ferri P.Emotional intelligence, empathy and alexithymia: a cross-sectional survey on emotional competence in a group of nursing students.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4-S):32-43. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4-S.8273Lee CC, Li YS, Yeh WC, Yu Z.The Effects of leader emotional intelligence, leadership styles, organizational commitment, and trust on job performance in the real estate brokerage industry.Front Psychol. 2022;13:881725. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.881725Prezerakos PE.Nurse managers' emotional intelligence and effective leadership: a review of the current evidence.Open Nurs J. 2018;12:86-92. doi:10.2174/1874434601812010086Marvos C, Hale FB.Emotional intelligence and clinical performance/retention of nursing students.Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2015;2(2):63-71. doi:10.4103/2347-5625.157569Başoğul C, Özgür G.Role of emotional intelligence in conflict management strategies of nurses.Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci). 2016;10(3):228-233. doi:10.1016/j.anr.2016.07.002Bal Y, Kökalan Ö.The moderating effect of cultural intelligence on the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction.Front Psychol. 2022;13:900546. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.900546Cavaness K, Picchioni A, Fleshman JW.Linking emotional intelligence to successful healthcare leadership: the big five model of personality.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2020;33(4):195-203. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1709435Coronado-Maldonado I, Benítez-Márquez MD.Emotional intelligence, leadership, and work teams: a hybrid literature review.Heliyon. 2023;9(10):e20356. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20356Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):97-99. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912Valosek L, Link J, Mills P, Konrad A, Rainforth M, Nidich S.Effect of meditation on emotional intelligence and perceived stress in the workplace: a randomized controlled study.Perm J. 2018;22:17-172. doi:10.7812/TPP/17-172

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kumar S.Establishing linkages between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership.Ind Psychiatry J. 2014;23(1):1-3. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.144934Di Lorenzo R, Venturelli G, Spiga G, Ferri P.Emotional intelligence, empathy and alexithymia: a cross-sectional survey on emotional competence in a group of nursing students.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4-S):32-43. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4-S.8273Lee CC, Li YS, Yeh WC, Yu Z.The Effects of leader emotional intelligence, leadership styles, organizational commitment, and trust on job performance in the real estate brokerage industry.Front Psychol. 2022;13:881725. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.881725Prezerakos PE.Nurse managers' emotional intelligence and effective leadership: a review of the current evidence.Open Nurs J. 2018;12:86-92. doi:10.2174/1874434601812010086Marvos C, Hale FB.Emotional intelligence and clinical performance/retention of nursing students.Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2015;2(2):63-71. doi:10.4103/2347-5625.157569Başoğul C, Özgür G.Role of emotional intelligence in conflict management strategies of nurses.Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci). 2016;10(3):228-233. doi:10.1016/j.anr.2016.07.002Bal Y, Kökalan Ö.The moderating effect of cultural intelligence on the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction.Front Psychol. 2022;13:900546. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.900546Cavaness K, Picchioni A, Fleshman JW.Linking emotional intelligence to successful healthcare leadership: the big five model of personality.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2020;33(4):195-203. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1709435Coronado-Maldonado I, Benítez-Márquez MD.Emotional intelligence, leadership, and work teams: a hybrid literature review.Heliyon. 2023;9(10):e20356. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20356Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):97-99. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912Valosek L, Link J, Mills P, Konrad A, Rainforth M, Nidich S.Effect of meditation on emotional intelligence and perceived stress in the workplace: a randomized controlled study.Perm J. 2018;22:17-172. doi:10.7812/TPP/17-172

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kumar S.Establishing linkages between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership.Ind Psychiatry J. 2014;23(1):1-3. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.144934Di Lorenzo R, Venturelli G, Spiga G, Ferri P.Emotional intelligence, empathy and alexithymia: a cross-sectional survey on emotional competence in a group of nursing students.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4-S):32-43. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4-S.8273Lee CC, Li YS, Yeh WC, Yu Z.The Effects of leader emotional intelligence, leadership styles, organizational commitment, and trust on job performance in the real estate brokerage industry.Front Psychol. 2022;13:881725. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.881725Prezerakos PE.Nurse managers' emotional intelligence and effective leadership: a review of the current evidence.Open Nurs J. 2018;12:86-92. doi:10.2174/1874434601812010086Marvos C, Hale FB.Emotional intelligence and clinical performance/retention of nursing students.Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2015;2(2):63-71. doi:10.4103/2347-5625.157569Başoğul C, Özgür G.Role of emotional intelligence in conflict management strategies of nurses.Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci). 2016;10(3):228-233. doi:10.1016/j.anr.2016.07.002Bal Y, Kökalan Ö.The moderating effect of cultural intelligence on the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction.Front Psychol. 2022;13:900546. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.900546Cavaness K, Picchioni A, Fleshman JW.Linking emotional intelligence to successful healthcare leadership: the big five model of personality.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2020;33(4):195-203. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1709435Coronado-Maldonado I, Benítez-Márquez MD.Emotional intelligence, leadership, and work teams: a hybrid literature review.Heliyon. 2023;9(10):e20356. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20356Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):97-99. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912Valosek L, Link J, Mills P, Konrad A, Rainforth M, Nidich S.Effect of meditation on emotional intelligence and perceived stress in the workplace: a randomized controlled study.Perm J. 2018;22:17-172. doi:10.7812/TPP/17-172

Kumar S.Establishing linkages between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership.Ind Psychiatry J. 2014;23(1):1-3. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.144934

Di Lorenzo R, Venturelli G, Spiga G, Ferri P.Emotional intelligence, empathy and alexithymia: a cross-sectional survey on emotional competence in a group of nursing students.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4-S):32-43. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4-S.8273

Lee CC, Li YS, Yeh WC, Yu Z.The Effects of leader emotional intelligence, leadership styles, organizational commitment, and trust on job performance in the real estate brokerage industry.Front Psychol. 2022;13:881725. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.881725

Prezerakos PE.Nurse managers' emotional intelligence and effective leadership: a review of the current evidence.Open Nurs J. 2018;12:86-92. doi:10.2174/1874434601812010086

Marvos C, Hale FB.Emotional intelligence and clinical performance/retention of nursing students.Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2015;2(2):63-71. doi:10.4103/2347-5625.157569

Başoğul C, Özgür G.Role of emotional intelligence in conflict management strategies of nurses.Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci). 2016;10(3):228-233. doi:10.1016/j.anr.2016.07.002

Bal Y, Kökalan Ö.The moderating effect of cultural intelligence on the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction.Front Psychol. 2022;13:900546. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.900546

Cavaness K, Picchioni A, Fleshman JW.Linking emotional intelligence to successful healthcare leadership: the big five model of personality.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2020;33(4):195-203. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1709435

Coronado-Maldonado I, Benítez-Márquez MD.Emotional intelligence, leadership, and work teams: a hybrid literature review.Heliyon. 2023;9(10):e20356. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20356

Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):97-99. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912

Valosek L, Link J, Mills P, Konrad A, Rainforth M, Nidich S.Effect of meditation on emotional intelligence and perceived stress in the workplace: a randomized controlled study.Perm J. 2018;22:17-172. doi:10.7812/TPP/17-172

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