{"id":12711,"date":"2018-01-19T22:08:37","date_gmt":"2018-01-20T06:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/?p=12711"},"modified":"2024-07-16T14:28:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T14:28:52","slug":"effective-leader-emotional-intelligence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/effective-leader-emotional-intelligence\/","title":{"rendered":"Become an Effective Leader by Mastering this One Skill..."},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0What makes an effective leader?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Typical answers include: a high IQ, a \"hustle\" attitude, and a big personality.<\/span><\/p>\n

But today, many experts are embracing another answer: <\/span>high emotional intelligence.<\/b><\/p>\n

The concept of emotional intelligence or the emotional quotient (EQ) is relatively new. But, it's the skill separating an average manager from an effective leader that teams trust.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is EQ?<\/b><\/h3>\n

There are many attempts to treat EQ like IQ; by defining it as a fixed measurement that you're born with.<\/span><\/p>\n

But recently,<\/span> it's been defined as<\/span><\/a> the ability to recognize and manage emotions within oneself and others.<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Harvard Business Review<\/span><\/a> suggests that emotional intelligence consists of four key domains. Each including a set of learned, and learnable, capabilities:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"emotional<\/p>\n

Meanwhile,\u00a0psychologist Daniel Goleman believes<\/a><\/span> that EQ is especially crucial for business leaders:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The most effective leaders are all alike in one crucial way:<\/strong> they all have a high degree of\u00a0<\/span>what has come to be known as emotional intelligence...Without it, a person can have the\u00a0<\/span>best training in the world, an incisive, analytical mind, and an endless supply of smart ideas, but he still won't make a great leader.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How Top Leaders Express Emotional Intelligence<\/b><\/h2>\n

Researchers Vipin Mittal and Ekta Sindhu agree with Goleman's statements.\u00a0<\/span>Their report, <\/span>Emotional Intelligence and Leadership<\/span><\/i><\/a>, concludes that a high EQ differentiates a elite and effective leader from a mediocre one.<\/span><\/p>\n

For four years, they observed and interviewed \"highly effective senior managers and executives in prominent Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, nonprofits and the military.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

They asked questions on how these managers overcame leadership challenges while motivating their teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mittal and Sindhu noticed that great managers were self-aware, empathetic, open-minded, and optimistic.\u00a0<\/span>They could handle complicated social interactions like, managing a lousy boss and disciplining an employee, while maintaining high team morale.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the researchers didn't just explain how leaders express their high EQs. They also revealed the pitfalls of high emotional intelligence, and how it can hinder leadership capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of our favorite takeaways and follow up thoughts from this report:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"emotional<\/p>\n

1. An effective leader is self-aware and empathetic<\/b><\/h2>\n

Effective leaders can identify their strengths and weaknesses to build better relationships with other people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if a manager lacks knowledge about a topic, she will collaborate with someone who does.\u00a0<\/span>She will analyze her teammate's working style and adapt herself to it. If her teammate is a creative loner, she will provide enough space for him to flourish.<\/span><\/p>\n

An effective leader can also regulate her emotions to expresses them when needed.\u00a0<\/span>After the project is finished, the manager will congratulate her teammate for his efforts. This will\u00a0improve his self-esteem and his perception of her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Empathetic leaders are also great listeners. <\/span><\/p>\n

They listen to their employees' thoughts and emotions, especially in tense situations.\u00a0<\/span>They use this new information to handle team disagreements better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their emotional intelligence allows effective leaders to connect with others in a meaningful way, creating a much more efficient and happier workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there's a dark side to emotional intelligence. It can be used as a tool for psychological manipulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"emotional<\/p>\n

Narcissists are very empathetic<\/b><\/h3>\n

Empathy is a skill. It can be used for good and evil.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most destructive dictators in history were charming and empathetic leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hitler was very aware of how his voice and body emotionally influenced his followers. He spent years perfecting his speech and body language to deliver his political messages better.<\/span><\/p>\n

That's why he's\u00a0known as one of the most effective (and malicious) public speakers<\/a> of all time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Empathy without accountability can be dangerous.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In an article titled,<\/span> \"The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence,\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/a> The Atlantic warns that the more aware a person is of their emotional skills, the more likely they'll use them to manipulate others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Controlling emotions can be used to\u00a0hide actual feelings to hide\u00a0evil intent.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, an Austrian study by the University of Innsbruck called,<\/span> \"Is There a \u2018Dark Intelligence'?<\/span><\/i><\/a>,\"<\/span><\/i> reported a correlation between narcissism and a high EQ. Unfortunately, people with dark personalities will use their EQ to hurt others.<\/span><\/p>\n

That's why good leaders should pay particular attention to their self-accountability. It ensures your intentions focus on positive aspects of EQ.<\/span><\/p>\n

As managers, you're seen as\u00a0leaders setting key examples within your organization. CEOs and employees alike trust you with improving their relationships and the work environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"effective<\/p>\n

2. An effective leader is aware of multi-dimensional diversity<\/b><\/h2>\n

Diversity is a hot-button topic today. However, not everybody's happy about it.<\/p>\n

Many startups and corporations are getting blasted for the homogenous appearance of their board members, employees, and management positions.<\/span><\/p>\n

This has ignited unintended backlash from people afraid that identity politics are overshadowing the desire to create objectively good work.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, they shouldn't be afraid.\u00a0<\/span>High EQ leaders understand that diversity offers new perspectives. Perspectives that can spark innovation and integrate their business or organization into new markets.<\/span><\/p>\n

you guys know "blue hair" isn't a diversity qualifier, right?<\/p>— party mom \ud83e\udd65\ud83c\udf34 (@fifimcfae) January 18, 2018<\/a><\/blockquote>