The Essence of Great Leadership
Great leadership is multifaceted, combining different styles and approaches to meet the diverse needs of a team.
At its core, effective leadership is about serving others, as Simon Sinek emphasizes, with a genuine concern for the well-being and growth of each team member. Leaders who excel are those who create environments that foster teamwork, inclusivity, and continuous learning, enabling everyone to contribute to collective goals.
While leadership has many definitions, the most effective leaders are flexible and skilled in multiple styles to suit different situations. - and emotional intelligence is at the core of all effective leadership styles. Indeed, it is the foundation of critical leadership skills because it enables leaders to understand, manage, and harness emotions, both their own and those of others.
However, according to Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Bradberry & Greaves, two-thirds of people are controlled by emotions rather than controlling them.
Reflecting on one's own leadership and emotional intelligence is key to personal and professional growth and the development of a thriving, resilient and learning team.
So, how can we develop our EQ?
Self-Awareness (understanding one’s own emotions): Leaders need to recognize their emotions and regulate them to avoid emotional hijacking, where emotions override rational thinking.
Keep a journal to track emotional triggers and responses.
Reflect on emotional reactions after key interactions or decisions.
Identify physical signs of emotions, such as tension or increased heart rate.
Self-Management (controlling emotions and adapting): Controlling emotions enables leaders to regulate reactions and behaviors. Building on self-awareness, strong self-management ensures calm, strategic decision-making.
Pause and take deep breaths before responding to emotionally charged situations.
Set aside time daily for self-reflection and stress management practices.
Visualize successful emotional responses before difficult conversations.
Social Awareness (Understanding others’ emotions): Understanding the emotions of others enables leaders to foster trust, communicate effectively, and build strong teams.
Observe body language and facial expressions to gauge emotional states.
Practice active listening by summarizing and validating others’ feelings.
Spend time in different school environments to understand team dynamics.
Relationship Management (Building strong interpersonal connections): Strong leaders use EQ to navigate conflicts, motivate team members, and create a positive culture of belonging.
Engage in regular one-on-one feedback sessions to strengthen trust.
Address unhealthy conflicts directly and constructively to maintain positive relationships.
Show appreciation through personalized recognition and encouragement.
Draws on Goleman and Bradbury and Greaves’ work relating to emotional intelligence.
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FURTHER READING:
Harvard Business Review, Article Collection (2007) Must Reads on Managing People (15 minutes per article)