Powerful and positive leadership behaviors obtain greater results and create an environment with higher satisfaction scores, increased productivity, and more collaboration across teams and organizations.

Awareness is key. As leaders we need to be aware of our behaviors and actions, understand how they impact others, and manage expectations in order to obtain the results we desire. We don’t just need to be intelligent and knowledgeable, we also need to be emotionally smart.

Psychologist Steven Stein and psychiatrist Howard Book state that strong leaders have both a high IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and a developed EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient). Intelligence will only go so far; leaders must also be aware of how they present themselves, how they respond to others, and how others respond to them.

“Research shows convincingly that EQ is more important than IQ in almost every role and many times more important in leadership roles.”
–Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Our IQ is considered to be non-dynamic and is an indicator of how we perform intellectual tasks.

Our EQ on the other hand can increase through self development and consists of 4 areas: self awareness, self management, social awareness, and relationship management.

  1. Self awareness is critical when engaging in communication.
  2. Self management is key for managing emotions in difficult situations.
  3. Social awareness leverages awareness of others to perform at your peak.
  4. Relationship management manages relationships to increase job performance and integrates EQ professionally and personally.

Emotional intelligence is the genuine ability to feel emotions, understand what you’re feeling and why, understand how others are feeling, and respond appropriately. Having a high EQ builds relationships and fosters communication even in the most difficult of times.

Some consider EQ to be the single biggest predictor of performance in the workplace and the strongest driver of leadership and personal excellence. By developing our EQ, we position ourselves to more successfully cope with organizational demands and pressures, and obtain the results we desire.

What are you doing to develop your EQ?

QwikTip and QwikCoach

PeopleTek’s Strategic partner, E-Coach, specializes in online coaching tools.

QwikTip for Getting Along With Peers

And for those with a QwikCoach license, refresh your existing skills and acquire new skills by visiting the QwikTips library for leadership ideas and techniques.

If you don’t have QwikCoach, it’s an excellent resource for growing your leadership skills remotely that you should consider.

Learn More About QwikCoach

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