High EQ allows positive outcomes
ASHOK was a star performer, the youngest manager in the company. His department recorded phenomenal growth and productivity. No wonder he was shocked when he was asked to resign. His fault? He was biased and got rid of those he did not like. To top it all his distribution of work was unfair. The same thing happened in his next job too. What was Ashok's problem? He lacked the corporate imperative, `emotional intelligence' or emotional quotient (EQ) that is so critical for a successful leader.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage one's self, understand one's own and others' feelings, deal with others successfully, motivate them and appropriately respond to the day-to-day challenges. In essence, it refers to skills required to nurture interpersonal relations. Research reveals that individuals with high EQ are better at creating positive outcomes. A successful leader has a high level of emotional intelligence and the compassion and energy to lead a winning team.
Most careers derail due to poor emotional behaviour rather than the lack of skills. With business and work becoming a mind sport involving success in interpersonal relationships emotional intelligence is an imperative. Factors like amicability and compatibility serve as the driving forces in a business/work environment. Partnerships- personal or professional call for like minded people or those who can adapt to different circumstances. This is an established fact, but emotional intelligence as such has gained prominence only recently.
Today's aspiring leaders and competent managers give in to pressures emotionally and mentally while meeting deadlines, achieving targets or facing competition. This is because they lack emotional intelligence. The best of business schools fail to teach this aspect of leadership. Even top-notch managers who are intelligent and aware of core business processes and business strategies, fail miserably when it comes to managing the emotions of people who actually drive the business.
The one discerning quality that all high EQ leaders possess is empathy -the ability to sense and respond to the feelings of others. It's easy to decipher business issues but it takes a lot more to discover the personal issues that drive or resist change. Empathy sets leaders apart from their peers. They use it to form strong relationships, pick up early warning signs, and grab opportunities to influence.
High EQ leaders are always "emotionally reading" others' perspectives, assessing body language, energy levels, and voice fluctuations to get valuable insights about them. On the contrary, less emotionally intelligent leaders focus primarily on the task at hand, unintentionally missing this valuable feedback. Low EQ leaders typically show complete unawareness of others' emotions sometimes hurting them as well and are often ignorant of their actions. The significance of emotional intelligence in the making of a leader is thus indisputable.
However, in the bid to reach the top and achieve profit margins the concept of being in touch with one's emotions has been relegated. Most managers are seldom aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, leave alone that of their subordinates. How then can one improve emotional intelligence?
A few starters:
Pay attention to body language - A leader has to observe both his own and others' body language This includes gestures, subtle shifts in facial expressions, eye contact, posture, and energy levels during meetings and one-to-ones.
Listen more; speak less- Leaders should be conscious of the tone of voice, intensity, and pace during conversations. This helps develop empathy.
Get curious, not furious- Watch what you say especially when frustrated or annoyed. Reframe negative emotions into curiosity - " ... this makes absolutely no sense to me" can be replaced with, "Do you see something in this that I must be missing?"
Elicit pride in others - Leaders should instill pride in their subordinates and constantly remind them about the importance of pride in one's work.
Use silence - Silence is a small but powerful tool. People are uncomfortable with silences while in conversation and try to fill it with empty words. This is of no avail.
Observe people in public places - When in restaurants, public transport or meetings try to recognise people's feelings. Watch a television programme with the volume turned off and try to decipher the the actors' emotions.
Remember that emotions are contagious - A dominant person's emotions (negative or positive) always influences others. Leaders should be careful to show only those emotions, which they want to see in others.
The impact of emotions on one's success is well established. Being emotionally intelligent not only helps in moving up the corporate ladder but also shapes the quality of that journey.
To make this journey successful, leaders have to display a high level of EQ. According to a recent study, only seven per cent of leadership success can be attributed to factors like IQ while 93 per cent depends on emotional intelligence.
This does not imply that only leaders need to possess a high level of EQ, even a novice needs to learn this skill from day one of work. IQ may get one the coveted job, but it is EQ that lets one grow and retain that job. And for one with high levels of EQ, success is guaranteed.
Hema Swaminathan
faqs@cnkonline.com
HEMA SWAMINATHAN
faqs@cnkonline.com
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