Emotional Intelligence in LEADERSHIP | By Dr Emmanuel Eni Amadi PhD, MBA, MSc, PGDip, B.Pharm.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN LEADERSHIP
“Leadership is not just about skills, abilities or natural intelligence or IQ, it is also about emotional intelligence or EQ” - Dr Emmanuel Eni Amadi PhD, MBA, MSc, PGDip, B.Pharm.
Emotional intelligence (EI), therefore, is the ability to recognize and manage one's own emotions as well as the emotions of others. Leaders with high levels of emotional intelligence are better able to navigate the diverse emotions and personalities within their team, leading to better communication, collaboration, and employee satisfaction. Below are the 4 Key Powers hidden in Emotional Intelligence in Leadership.
“Know thyself” - Aristotle:
One of the key components of emotional intelligence is Self-Awareness. But Socrates quoted this skill as “the unexamined life was not worth living”. When probed by scholars to sum simplify his philosophical statements or to explain himself in a layman’s way, he simply said, “Know Thyself”.
Leaders who are “self-aware,” know themselves and understand their own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses (personal SWOT analysis), which allows them to make more informed decisions and respond more effectively to challenges.
By recognizing and managing their own emotions, they can also set an example for their team members, who are more likely to respect and follow leaders who are emotionally grounded and balanced.
Empathy, not Sympathy:
Another important aspect of emotional intelligence is empathy - the ability to understand and relate to the emotions of others. Leaders with high levels of empathy can better understand what motivates their team members, as well as their concerns and challenges. By listening and demonstrating empathy, leaders can build trust and rapport with their team members, leading to greater engagement and productivity.
Effective Communications:
Effective communication is also a crucial component of emotional intelligence in leadership. Leaders who are skilled at communicating clearly and effectively can convey their vision and goals to their team members, as well as motivate and inspire them to perform at their best. By sharing their own emotions and experiences, leaders can also foster more open and honest communication within their team, leading to greater collaboration and innovation.
Conflict Resolution:
Finally, emotional intelligence plays an important role in conflict resolution. Leaders who are skilled at managing emotions and resolving conflicts can help to foster a healthy and productive work environment. By encouraging open communication and empathy, they can help team members to understand each other's perspectives and work together to find mutually agreeable solutions.
In summary, emotional intelligence is a crucial component of effective leadership. By developing self-awareness, empathy, communication skills, and conflict-resolution skills, leaders can create a positive and productive work environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and employee satisfaction.
Dr Emmanuel Amadi holds a doctorate degree in Medical Sciences and specialises in Lung Cancer Genomics, Cancer pathology, Molecular mechanisms, Nanotoxicology of nanoparticles in drug delivery, COPD, asthma, and lung cancer. He’s the Founder of Amadi Global Leadership Academy | Executive Education, where he provides oversight for the development of future leaders.
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