Why emotional intelligence is a critical skill

After coaching numerous executives and leaders, it is clear to me that emotional intelligence (EQ) is a distinguishing factor of impactful and inspiring leadership. Leaders with high EQ are a joy to work for and collaborate with. Consequently, their teams will readily move mountains to support them.

Effective leaders not only demonstrate high intellectual intelligence but also excel in recognizing and regulating emotions, both within themselves and others. They connect authentically with their team, fostering loyalty and collaboration.

This genuine connection serves as a catalyst, motivating their team to achieve exceptional results and fostering a culture of high performance and deep engagement.

Within this environment, individuals experience heightened levels of satisfaction, joy and fulfillment. They feel not only recognized but also valued, knowing that their contributions truly make a difference. This transcends beyond mere belonging, it embodies a sense of significance and purpose.

Calmness and compassion

Possessing high levels of EQ is not solely beneficial in the corporate world, either; it’s also a valuable life skill that can make a significant difference to various aspects of your life, whether as a business owner, parent, sibling, friend or student.

My client, Josephine, a devoted working mother who cherishes her children and is passionate about her role as a general practitioner at her local surgery, provides an excellent example here. Through her journey, she has learned the benefits of emotional awareness and emotional regulation, enabling her to recognize her own feelings and better understand her reactions to her children’s behaviors.

Now equipped with these skills, Josephine responds to her children’s needs with calmness and compassion rooted in empathy and understanding. She proactively manages her stress before interacting with her children, ensuring that her interactions are positive and constructive, even during overwhelming moments.

By incorporating the ‘5Qs Formula’ into her daily routine, Josephine has noticed a tangible shift in her household dynamics – including less shouting and nagging and more positive interactions with her children. She observes her children becoming more open and expressive about their emotions and feelings as they learn to navigate them effectively.

Remember – children learn by watching and observing what you do. By learning to implement the 5Qs Formula, as Josephine did, you too, if you have dependents, can teach them through role-modelling the valuable skills of EQ that will serve them throughout their lives.

When children see their parents and caregivers acknowledging and healthily expressing their feelings, they learn to do the same.

It’s important to note that leadership is not about titles and status; it’s about positively influencing others, whether at work, at home with your family or in other parts of your personal life. By understanding and managing your emotions and connecting authentically with others, you can inspire trust, collaboration and productivity, and make yourself and others feel great at the same time.

In every aspect of your life, EQ empowers you to lead effectively and show up to make a positive and meaningful impact on yourself or those around you.

Edited extract from Productivity Joy: Feel Energised and Be Effective in 5 Minutes a Day by psychologist Simi Rayat.