Leading with emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is regarded as the glue that holds relationships.
Emotional intelligence can be defined as the ability to manage and control one’s emotions and possess the ability to control others’ emotions as well.
It can result in long-term relationships with colleagues.
In this article, we are going to explore emotional intelligence and its impact on effective leadership.
It is believed that emotional intelligence provides a new dimension for leaders to measure and monitor employee performance – a model that encourages growth, innovation, and creativity in leadership.
Emotional Intelligence is premised on the following areas that make up an effective leader:
- Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is a critical component of emotional intelligence. When one is self-aware, he/she has the ability to identify and name your emotions.
It means having the ability to honestly recognise one’s emotions and the effect of those emotions.
It also includes the ability to know one’s strengths and limitations and having self-confidence in your capabilities.
- Self-Regulation
Regulation is the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating your own emotions, and when necessary and assisting others do the same on their side.
Other areas to consider have to do with issues involving trustworthiness, adaptability to change and having high level of integrity.
- Social Awareness
Another component of Emotional Intelligence is social awareness.
Social awareness is mainly about showing empathy which is the ability to feel what the other person is feeling, that is putting self in the other’s shoes.
Social awareness also includes organisational awareness.
This is the ability to anticipate and recognise customer needs, an ability to read the politics and understand the power dynamics in your organisation.
- Self-Management
Self-management describes the ability to demonstrate emotional self-control.
At times you may experience impulses or be in a bad mood, you need to control your emotions.
As a person, you are interested in moving forward towards a goal or strategy.
Be self-motivated and not allowing setbacks to control the outcome and be able to stay calm under pressure and not panic in the face of a crisis.
- Social Skills
The core to social skills is relationship management which covers abilities such as influence, conflict management, teamwork and leadership.
Emotional intelligence is used to create and nurture relationships.
The ability to influence comes from a strong ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
Emotional Intelligence Techniques
Having the ability to demonstrate emotional intelligence results in a leader’s ability to better connect and collaborate with others. We discuss below three ways of leading with emotional intelligence:
Practice Recognition
λ Analyse your interaction with your team in your daily interaction with them.
λ Document or note emotions as they arise.
λ Watch response in others, notice body language and instances when people are not engaged.
Use Empathy
λ Identify the emotion you are feeling, or the emotions others are exhibiting.
λ Note differences in how others respond and when you notice some difference this will help you in reading the situation.
λ Your responses will definitely help you to be aware of yourself and others resulting in adjusting appropriately to the situation and responding intentionally.
Respond Intentionally
λ As a leader you need to stop reacting immediately as it is not every thought that needs to be shared.
λ Determine the right time to respond and if you need more time to think through your response give time for that.
Understanding self in terms of emotional intelligence is the best ability every leader requires to master in order to be effective.
Paul Nyausaru is an OD Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your OD interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on WhatsApp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com
Chiedza Kadare is an OD Practitioner. You can get in touch with her on WhatsApp/call +263 77 283 0986 or Email chiedza.kadare@gmail.com
