Great leaders don’t just manage tasks. They connect with people. Emotional intelligence (EI) is the key to that connection. It’s about understanding and managing your own emotions while tuning into the feelings of others. This week, in Session 3 of our interactive leadership series, we’re diving into Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness. This foundational skill can transform how you lead, communicate, and build trust with your team.
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters
Imagine a looming deadline with high tensions. A team member misses a key deliverable. Do you react with frustration, or do you pause, assess, and respond with empathy? Leaders with strong EI turn challenges into growth opportunities. For example, instead of snapping at the team member, an EI-savvy leader might say, “I see this didn’t go as planned. What happened?” This opens a door to understanding and problem-solving rather than blame. Research shows emotional intelligence drives nearly 90% of what distinguishes top leaders (Daniel Goleman, Harvard Business Review). It’s not about being soft. It’s about being smart with emotions.
In our session this week, we’ll explore:
Self-regulation: Staying calm and clear-headed under pressure.
Empathy: Strengthening collaboration by understanding others’ perspectives.
Communication: Turning routine talks into meaningful exchanges.
Start with Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the foundation of EI. You can’t lead others well without knowing yourself. It’s about recognizing your emotional triggers, strengths, and blind spots. Think about how a bad mood can shape your decisions or how confidence can inspire your team. That’s self-awareness at work.
Try this quick exercise before Wednesday:
Recall a recent leadership moment, positive or tough.
Ask: What was I feeling? How did it affect my actions?
Note one thing you’d keep or change next time.
We’ll use this as a starting point in our session to sharpen your self-awareness and manage emotions on the spot.
EI in Action: A Tip for Everyone
Next time you feel a strong emotion (anger, excitement, stress), pause for 10 seconds. Take a slow breath and name the feeling silently (e.g., “I’m frustrated”). Then ask, “What’s driving this?” This simple habit builds self-awareness and stops knee-jerk reactions. Leaders who practice this find they respond with clarity instead of regret. It’s a small step toward mastering EI, whether you join us or not!
What to Expect This Wednesday
Our bi-weekly sessions are now 100% interactive. No lectures, just action. We’ll jump right into discussions, Q&A, and hands-on exercises to bring EI and self-awareness to life. Whether you’re navigating team dynamics or boosting your leadership presence, you’ll leave with practical tools to use immediately.
When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 6PM CST
Where: Virtual Zoom Session
Bring: Your experiences, questions, and an open mind!
Let’s Get the Conversation Started
What’s one situation where emotional intelligence helped your leadership, or where you wish you’d had more of it? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We’ll dig into them together on Wednesday.
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