In today’s work life, emotional intelligence is a crucial skill of a leader. Emotional intelligence has also been described as a key skill for the future of work. Why does a good leader need emotional intelligence, and how does such a leader differ from others?
Emotional intelligence fosters empathy, builds trust and enables better communication with the team and employees. It helps the leader to make decisions that are based on people’s feelings and needs and not only on facts and rationality. An emotionally intelligent leader is also able to manage stressful situations, resolve conflicts, and encourage the team to stay motivated and committed to their role and workplace.
An emotionally intelligent leader can create a work environment where people feel heard and understood. Emotionally intelligent leader doesn’t just direct and supervise but also supports and inspires the team. It is important to adapt the leadership style to different situations and the needs of different individuals.
What can a leader do to develop emotional intelligence?
A leader can develop emotional intelligence in several ways. These are some of the key features and aspects to pay attention to.
- Self-awareness: It is important for a leader to understand their own emotions, reactions, and behaviors. This can be done through regular self-assessment and reflection.
- Empathy: A leader needs to develop the ability to put themselves in others’ shoes and recognise others’ emotions. This helps to build trust and understanding with employees. Empathy can be developed by actively listening and showing interest in the well-being of the employees.
- Emotional regulation: A leader must be able to manage his/her emotions, especially in challenging or stressful situations. This means managing challenging feelings like anger or frustration and staying calm and remain professional.
- Communication skills: A leader with emotional intelligence communicates empathetically and clearly. An emotionally intelligent leader chooses their words according to the situation.
- Conflict resolution skills: An emotionally intelligent leader can handle and resolve conflicts constructively, by listening to all parties involved and striving to find a solution that considers everyone’s feelings and needs.
The last and most important aspect to highlight is:
6. Continuous learning: Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed. A leader can attend emotional intelligence trainings, read related books and process the feedback that is given to him/her and learn from it.
By developing emotional intelligence, a leader can create a better and more effective work environment and improve the overall well-being of the team. The wellbeing of employees is an important responsibility of a leader, as the well-being of the employees reflects on everything.
Text: Riikka Kramer, Communications Specialist, Communications and Societal Impact
Picture: Adobe Stock
