Emotional Intelligence: A fundamental key to leadership

True leaders are people who care about those they lead and who can express their concern for others through empathy and understanding. Since only about seven percent of what we communicate is verbal, it is not necessary to state our feelings in so many words, because our attitude and body language can send the message for us. But as we?ve said before, a kind word or a well-deserved pat on the back can bolster commitment and greatly enhance productivity.

According to Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, ?Just as the mode of the rational mind is words, the mode of the emotions is nonverbal.? Therefore, if we?re angry with another person, we don?t have to say so, our responses and actions convey it all. This is all the more reason why leaders need to take care not to let negative feelings govern their actions. We can learn not to react to negative stimuli, but rather to respond from a positive perspective.

For example, when confronted with frustrating circumstances, we may tend to pass our frustrations on to our team or staff, since sharing our anguish may serve as a form of release. Misery loves company. However, our people will greatly benefit from our placing the challenge in a positive context prior to communicating the substance of the situation.

The willingness to take responsibility to maintain emotional equilibrium is a fundamental reason why true leaders are made, not born. Like most of life, maintaining mental stability to improve the quality of our mission as leaders is a choice and when we see the desirable outcomes that result, one that we are happy to make.