Emotional intelligence and leadership
Work is not just about plans and procedures, strategies and standards. We bring feelings into work
and work generates feelings in us. Much recent thinking about leadership focuses on the way leaders
work with their own feelings and those of others: their emotional intelligence (EI). Tto become a leader
then you must first become yourself.
Component of EI What this means
Recognising your feelings and
moods, how they effect your
Self-awareness
behaviour and how they impact
on others
Being able to manage impulses
Self-management and moods and to think before
acting
Having a passion for your work
Motivation and the energy and
determination to pursue goals
Understanding the feelings of
Social awareness others and how to work with
their emotional responses
Building a rapport and
establishing networks. Being
Social skills
able to manage conflict and
change
finds common bonds and builds
team spirit.
How you can spot it
 expresses feelings;
 has a sense of humour
about self;
 understands own
strengths and
weaknesses; and
 is self-assured.
 keeps calm and
composed;
 shows integrity and
trustworthiness;
 is open to change; and
 makes good use of
opportunities.
 a strong drive to
achieve;
 initiative and
creativity; and
 resilience - the ability
to bounce back from
setbacks.
 listens attentively;
 sees other points of
view;
 understands
organisational
networks and culture;
and
 cares about customers.
 builds relationships;
 persuades and
convinces;
 develops others;
 inspires and supports
change; and