Leading with Emotions – strategies to become a top performer, by Amy Collette
Amy Collette is a book coach and author of The Gratitude Connection. I had an opportunity to share with Amy my suggestions for how leaders can improve their EQ. I'm grateful to Amy and happy to share her article here!
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Do you want to communicate more effectively, engage and motivate employees, and build a healthier, happier workplace? Then, it's time to commit to developing your emotional intelligence.
Studies show that 80% of top performers in all jobs have High EQ. And that High EQ is increasingly more important to your overall success in life than IQ.
Emotional intelligence is at the core of everything great leaders do — just ask Susan Clarine, The Ei Coach. Clarine is a master certified emotional intelligence coach who’s built a successful business founded on emotionally intelligent leadership. Recently, I had an opportunity to gather her suggestions for how leaders can develop self-awareness, tap into employee motivation and build stronger, more resilient organizations.
Emotional intelligence doesn't come naturally to everyone. But like other skills, EI can be learned. If you're ready to take your leadership to new heights, here’s Clarine’s suggestions for where to start:
Informal EI Learning Opportunities
Self-directed learning opportunities like these supplement formal coaching and training and keep business leaders' skills sharp.
Not sure what to focus on? Active listening, conflict resolution, non-verbal communication, and positive thinking are key skills for any emotionally intelligent leader.
Self-awareness and emotional regulation are also a big part of emotional intelligence. If you struggle with self-awareness in stressful situations, use these exercises to improve.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to reframe your thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs about yourself and the world around you. In his book Think Again: The Power of Knowing What Don’t Know psychologist Adam Grant helps leaders learn to exercise their curiosity muscle and examine people and problems through a new lens.
With over 14.5 million views, management theorist Simon Sinek’s TED Talk demonstrates how leaders can create organizational safety and trust.
Formal EI Learning Opportunities
As the world recovers from the pandemic, emotional agility will be required of leaders and the organizations they work for. To address the volatility and uncertainty in today’s workplace, Clarine is launching The EQ Leadership Mastermind. This exclusive executive group coaching series is specially designed to help leaders find calm in the storm. For 7 weeks, executives meet with leaders from other organizations as they learn to navigate stress, express empathy and understanding toward colleagues, and make wiser decisions. To get learn more and get on the waitlist, contact The Ei Coach at susan@theeicoach.com
Leaders can also work with a coach one-on-one to develop emotional intelligence using self-assessments and 360-degree feedback. An EI coach tailors sessions to your specific goals with programs ranging from one or two sessions to ongoing monthly coaching sessions.
Developing Emotionally Intelligent Teams
Emotional intelligence isn't just an important trait for leaders. Emotionally intelligent teams are more collaborative, communicative, and effective than teams plagued by poor EI.
How do you know if your team is emotionally intelligent? Teams with high EI show empathy, value the viewpoints of others, and can give and receive feedback without drama.
Improving emotional intelligence in teams starts with communication. Curb passive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive communication by training employees in assertive communication techniques.
Are your employees empathetic and respectful of everyone, or only people like them? Diversity and inclusion activities bust biases and cross-perceived barriers building a more inclusive company culture.
Remote teams pose a challenge to leaders. However, you can still promote emotional intelligence among remote employees through shared online workspaces, team-building activities, and a mixture of one-on-one and all-hands meetings.
Advanced Education for Business Leaders
An MBA is the first place most leaders and aspiring leaders turn for career advancement. An increasing number of universities are adding emotional intelligence assessment to the student application process.
Research from the American Psychological Association and universities has shown that qualities such as applicant self-awareness, resilience, and leadership potential can predict student success.
According to the Financial Times, universities are responding to the global pandemic with MBA programs that include emotional intelligence. If you’re considering an advanced degree, look for programs that include emotional intelligence in the curriculum.
It’s not enough to be a strategic thinker. Today’s leaders also need the people skills to motivate their teams to greatness. When you’re ready to invest in emotionally intelligent leadership, contact The Ei Coach to start building a more positive, productive workplace.
Ready to write your own success story? I work with entrepreneurs, consultants, and aspiring authors to help them get their book done. Learn more at Unleash Your Inner Author, amy@unleashyourinnerauthor.com.