Why is high Emotional Intelligence important for leaders?
There are some key reasons why high EI is important for leaders. These may seem obvious. However, I’ve seen too many times individuals promoted quickly up the ladder who have excellent professional acumen, but poor emotional agility and little self-awareness.
A highly capable leader who feels they are doing their job to the highest level of excellence can still fail themselves, their company and their team if they lack the essential skills of high emotional intelligence.
HBR’s excellent book ‘On Emotional Intelligence’ cites a great example of this in action:
Charles, 33, a division president at an international consumer products company is promoted quickly. He’s held in high regard by senior leaders. However, his job is on the line.
He’s uncovered a major problem, as such thousands of customer orders are delayed and the companies stock price has plummeted. This could have been prevented. He could have found out about this issue much sooner if he had a better, more collaborative working relationship with his peers and direct reports, delaying a costly advertising campaign and setting investor expectations ahead of time.
Instead his team did not communicate any risks with him. They work in an environment where ‘fear of failure’ is pervasive. Where a ‘command and control’ style of management is how their team leader — Charles — operates.
His team see Charles as self-promoting, intolerant and aggressive. This doesn’t bother him though, building these relationships aren’t a priority for him. He’s the boss.
Sadly, Charles hasn’t developed the emotional competencies to build support, open communication and manage during a crisis.
His bosses see Charles as -
A natural leader
Creative
Energetic
Strategic
Intelligent
His team and his peers see Charles as -
Self-promoting
Intolerant
Distant
Arrogant
Inconsiderate
Aggressive
This is something you may have encountered in your professional life, he hasn’t put time into his own emotional agility and building self-awareness. And, his company haven’t put any importance on building EI in their senior leaders. Clearly now the company as a whole is suffering the consequences of this.
Here are some key benefits of high EI in leaders:
Promotes effective leadership — Leaders can understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others, leading to more productive and cohesive work environments.
Employee engagement — Leaders with high EI are better at recognising and addressing the emotional needs of their team. Leading to higher levels of employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention, as people feel valued and supported.
Relationship building — When leaders are empathetic and attentive to the emotions of others, it fosters trust and rapport, which are crucial for successful business relationships.
Adaptability — Today’s leaders must be adaptable and responsive. EI enables leaders to handle change, uncertainty, and stress more effectively, helping their teams navigate challenges with resilience.
Conflict resolution — Leaders with high EI can navigate conflict situations more effectively by remaining composed, actively listening, and finding common ground to resolve issues successfully.
Effective communication — EI aids leaders in conveying their messages with clarity, empathy, and understanding, making it easier for team members to comprehend and align with the leader’s vision.
Decision making — EI enhances decision-making by considering not only the facts, but the emotional impact of choices. This can lead to more thoughtful and well-rounded decision making.
Team cohesion — Leaders who understand the emotional dynamics within their teams can foster collaboration, motivation, and a sense of belonging among team members.