Emotional Intelligence in Leadership:
A Key Skill for the Modern Workplace
The role of leaders is rapidly evolving in the hybrid workplace. A survey by HR and recruitment service LHH among more than 500 managers found that emotional intelligence is the most critical skill when leading teams through times of change. Leading with emotional intelligence has become essential for leaders to effectively manage their teams in an environment where they must constantly reconnect with their people.
An emotionally intelligent leader is able to communicate effectively, empathize with their team members, and foster collaboration. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of emotional empathy in leadership and how it can benefit both the leader and their team members.
What is emotional intelligence in leadership?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. Emotional empathy in leadership involves using this skill to effectively manage teams and create a positive work environment. An emotionally intelligent leader is able to empathize with their team members, communicate effectively, and make decisions that factor in the emotional impact on their team.
The concept of an emotional quotient was initially introduced by John Mayer and Peter Salovey in 1990 and later popularized by psychologist Daniel Goleman.
(…)“The most effective leaders are all alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence. It’s not that IQ and technical skills are irrelevant. They do matter, but…they are the entry-level requirements for executive positions.”
EQ, or emotional intelligence, has become an essential competency in recent times, with TalentSmart’s studies revealing it to be the most significant performance predictor, and hiring managers acknowledging its importance; 71 percent of employers surveyed by CareerBuilder expressed a preference for emotional emapathy over IQ, citing its benefits in enabling individuals to remain composed under stress, resolve conflicts proficiently, and exhibit empathy towards their colleagues.