Emotional Intelligence for leaders and managers
Emotional Intelligence is an ability to manage ourselves and our
relationships with other people effectively, by understanding our own and other people's feelings,
recognising that we human beings have an emotional as well as a rational side to our make-up.
Emotional Intelligence is made up of four competencies which relate to ourselves and our
relationships with other people, not least our relationships at work. The four fundamental
elements are:
1. Self-awareness. An awareness of one's own feelings (as well as thoughts and actions), an
understanding of the drivers of these emotions, and the effect that these emotions can have
on decisions, actions and other people. Also a knowledge of one's own strengths
and weaknesses.
2. Self-management (or self-regulation). The ability to control emotional impulses which may
not be appropriate and to think before acting, taking into account the potential impact on
the situation and other people. Also, the ability to 'direct' oneself to take on different
roles and leadership styles as the occasion demands.
3. Social awareness. On an interpersonal level, this means 'empathy', or the ability to
perceive and understand other people's emotions in a particular situation and their
emotional 'style' generally. The ability to take account of other people's emotional
reactions and to adapt one's own actions accordingly. Also, on a wider level, an awareness
of organisational politics and corporate culture as well as customers'
and stakeholders' perspectives.
4. Social skills. A range of interpersonal skills, used consciously and appropriately,
to lead, inspire, guide, negotiate, establish rapport, build teams and maintain good
relationships. Crucially, these skills include listening to, and helping
to develop, other people.
Since leadership is about leading people, not machines or processes, effective leadership
requires a great deal of emotional intelligence. There are six different leadership styles,
each suited to different circumstances, which draw on the four elements of emotional
intelligence, each in a different measure, according to Daniel Goleman.
Read more about the Six Leadership Styles
associated with emotional intelligence.
Read more about Inspirational Leadership.
Note: This web page is not intended to provide comprehensive coverage of the subject, merely a brief introduction to provoke thought and to lead to a more in depth understanding and application of the topic, either through further reading - or from me as your management consultant, executive trainer or personal coach in a consultancy project, training course, workshop or seminar.
References and Further Reading
1. Goleman, Daniel. Emotional Intelligence : Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam. 1997.
2. Goleman, Daniel. Working with Emotional Intelligence. Bloomsbury. 1998.
3. Goleman, Daniel. What makes a leader? Harvard Business Review. November - December 1998.
4. Goleman, Daniel. Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review. March - April 2000.