Add description for Technical skills can help you climb into a management position. But, it is the soft skills that will help you lead teams successfully and build positive workplace relationships. A key leadership skill that enables you to manage stress, coach teams, deliver feedback, and collaborate with others is emotional intelligence. Here’s a closer look at what emotional intelligence is and its role in effective leadership development programs.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence refers to your ability to understand, accept, and manage emotions. It also relates to your ability to understand the emotions of those interacting with you. The skill helps leaders handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. By developing emotional intelligence, you can build better workplace relationships and influence your team members and peers positively.
The ability to establish an emotional connection with employees and lead with emotional intelligence is vital for leadership effectiveness. It is because the way leaders make their employees feel has an impact on their engagement and productivity. Emotions can erupt in any work situation you experience, such as
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effort and burnout
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conflict and relationships
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achievement and failure
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change and uncertainty
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interaction with colleagues
High emotional intelligence translates to better recognition of feelings, their meaning, and their impact on others. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can utilize their emotions appropriately to influence positive results.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Development Programs
There are many reasons emotional intelligence should be a part of leadership development programs. When leaders possess this skill, they can create workplace environments wherein employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, taking risks, and making mistakes. They can make difficult decisions confidently, resolve conflict efficiently, and comply with changing business goals and situations.
When leaders do not learn how to manage their emotions, they are unable to collaborate and communicate effectively with others. As a result, employees aren’t eager to share ideas and less likely to unleash their full potential.
Summing up
Emotional intelligence is a must-have skill for leaders. It helps them manage teams effectively without causing conflicts or rifts. Emotionally intelligent leaders can extract the most out of their employees. Moreover, they can adapt their leadership style as per circumstances to align with employees having different personalities.
References:
https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/programs/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership/#outcomes
https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership
https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/programs/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership/