Question of the Day – Are your Business Relationships Working for You?

Question – The leadership theory of emotional intelligence draws on the research from psychology and neurology. This breakthrough research shows why leader’s moods and actions have tremendous influence on the performance of those they lead.

Company leaders are always under the watchful eye of their employees. What they say and do carries a special weight. In essence, leaders create and manage meaning for the group they lead. They are the example of how a situation is interpreted and acted upon. Yes, leaders create meaning for the people they lead.

Psychologist Daniel Goleman and his colleagues have developed eighteen competencies across the four domains of emotional intelligence (EI). The good news: these competencies can be learned and sharpened. They bring heightened levels of self-awareness, self-mastery, empathy, and attunement to relationships. The payoff of growing the capacity for emotional intelligence goes beyond the workplace. These skills apply to personal and family lives, as well. High impact leaders are engaged in helping their people expand their EI competencies. Some of these are:

Accurate self-assessment. Leaders with a high self-awareness typically know their limitations and strengths and exhibit a sense of humor about themselves. They are graceful in learning where they need to improve, and welcome constructive criticism and feedback. This competency lets leaders know when to ask for help and where to focus on cultivating new leadership strengths. 

Transparency. Leaders who are transparent live their values. Transparence - an authentic openness to others about one’s feelings, beliefs, and actions-allows integrity. Such leaders openly admit mistakes and are willing to confront unethical behavior in others instead of letting it go until it has created dissonance.

Empathy. Leaders with empathy can attune to a wide range of emotional Signals. They have a keen sense of the feelings, typically unspoken, emotions in a person or group. They grasp another’s perspective, seeing diversity as a plus. 

Inspiration. Leaders who inspire, either by words or deeds, create resonance and move people with a compelling vision and shared mission. They offer a sense of common purpose because they embody what they ask of others.

Creating resonance in the workplace is the outcome of exceptional leadership with high emotional intelligence. What does resonant leadership look like? Resonant leaders are attuned to their own feelings and those around them thus moving everyone in a positive direction. They speak authentically, from their values and resonate with the values of those around them. They leave people inspired and uplifted, with positive energy to tackle even the toughest challenges. They are the leaders we would run through walls for. Sound interesting?

The Academy of Family Business has the knowledge, curriculum and coaches to help you develop your emotionally intelligent culture. To learn more about developing best practices and their application, please visit us at: info@myAFB.org