Emotional Intelligence

Leaders are usually considered to be intelligent, that is capable of solving problems.  As we train and develop our leaders we tend to focus on technical problem solving skills, especially at the lower levels of leadership.  How do we cut costs, improve our product or service.  Leadership is seen as a function deviod of emotion. 

The problem with focusing on leadership solely as a function is that we forget is that leaders should be motivating thier people.  People have emotions that often impact how they perform.  From this concept comes the idea of emotional intelligence, or the leader that understands how thier actions affect thier subordinates.  If we think of leadership in terms of self control and as a process then we see the importance of emotional intelligence.

 Emotional intelligence isn't about trying to make everyone happy.  It is about creating a full open communication process between the leader and the led.  It is about understanding how our actions impact our followers.  It is about knowing our people and ourselves.  It is a tool which we can use to better communicate, understand and lead our people. 

Being emotionally intelligent requires leaders to learn themselves and thier people.  Great leaders inspire others through thier actions and vision.  They communicate with thier followers and to truly inspire the leader must be able to read the emotions of thier followers.  Am I exciting them or boring them, is my delivery having the desired impact. The ability to read is crucial or you risk being that manager who just doesn't get us.  Is out of touch with reality. 

Next the leader must understand the impact of emotion; why do people react the way they do.  Why are your followers suddenly disgruntled?  Why are they angry?  Is there apathy?  How then do we as leaders engage our followers, create concensus and resolve issues?  Not every decision can be popular, but we can engage our followers in a way that acknowledges thier needs and feelings. 

Finally as leaders we need to exercise self control, manage our own emotions and understand how emotions impacts us.  Think of the leader who explodes when confronted with bad news.  The leader who is so in love with a project that they can't imagine abandoning it.  The leader who is unhappy with thier current situation.  These leaders create barriers between themselves and thier employees.  Who wants to deliver the boss bad news when you know its going to "set him off".  Are your employees more likely to tell you what they think you want to hear than the truth. 

Being an emotionally intelligent leader means you understand your employees needs and feelings.  By communicating in an emotionally intelligent way we can communicate more effectively and create positive dialoge.  Last we can use emotional intelligence to effect to control ourselves and ensure as leaders we are doing the right thing.