If Your Actions Inspire Others To Dream More, Learn More, Do More and Become More, You Are a Leader. – John Quincy Adams –
Study indicated that EI – more then IQ, expertise, or any single factor – as the best predictor of who will emerge as a leader.
IQ and technical skill are “threshold capabilities.” They ‘re necessary but not sufficient requirements for leadership. It’s the possession of five components of Emotional Intelligence – self awareness, self management, self motivation, empathy and social skill – that allows individual to be comea star performer.
Without EI, a person can have outstanding training, a highly analytical mind, a long term vision, and an endless supply of terrific ideas, but still not ma a great leader. This is expecially true as individuals move up in an organization. The evidence indicates that the higher rank of a person considered to be a star performer, the more EI capabilities surface as the reason for his or her effectiveness. Specifically, when star performer compared with average ones in senior management position, nearly 90 percent of the difference in their effectiveness was attributable to EI Factors that basic Intelligence.
Example of leaders with strong Emotional intelligence would include US Secretary of state Colin Powel, Oprah Winfrey, and Rudy Giuliani. Powel’s intuitive ability to connect with others make him a superior diplomat. In Indonesia I can say the President Joko Widodo has a strong EI when He can navigate his response in condition of critics or judgment.
EI has Shown to be positively related to job performance at all levels. But it appears to be especially relevant in jobs that demand ahigh degree of social interaction. And ofcourse, that’s what leadership is all about. Great Leader demonstrate their EI by exhibiting all five key components/
Following are the 5 Core Components of Emotional Intelligence (emotional competency)
- Self-awarenessis exhibited by knowing one’s feelings – in real time, i.e. as we are feeling them. Only when we are aware of our feelings, can we effectively use them to make good decisions.
In addition, people with high emotional intelligence make decisions based upon a realistic assessment of their capability and knowledge. They do not indulge in delusion thinking – thinking they are smarter than in fact they are.
- Self- regulation refers to the ability to appropriately manage one’s emotions so they facilitate, rather than interfere with the decision or task at hand.
As per Aristotle’s challenge referenced above, being aware of our anger or any other feeling(s) we have, allow us to channel our anger in a productive -not destructive manner – thereby successfully mastering Aristotle’s challenge.
Also, those with a high EI have the ability to delay immediate gratification in pursuit of the goal and objective.
They have control over their emotions, rather than their emotions having control over them.
Think about how many times have you wished you didn’t immediately lash out in anger? These were moments when your emotional competency was not optimally operating for you.
Unfortunately, there are no do-overs!
Additionally, it is one’s emotional intelligence that allows you to more easily recover from emotional setbacks – so you can get back on your feet again.
- Motivation as exhibited in people with a high level of emotional competency is the ability to persevere in the face of setbacks and challenges.
They are undaunted by failure and frustrations, they take the initiative, and they strive to improve and move forward in pursuit of the goal.
Even in the face of adversity, one’s commitment and motivation never wavers.
- Empathy is rooted in the ability to know – or sense – what other people are feeling. Empathic people are capable of showing kindness and compassion towards others when they are in distress or hurting – even if you don’t feel these same feelings.
Empathy is on display when one is able to see the other person’s perspective, (even – or especially – when they differ from your own) especially during challenging times. This allows for the ability to bring together a diverse group of people and opinions to unite for a common cause.
Clearly you can see the high correlation between leadership and high emotional intelligence.
- Social skills are seen as the ability to handle both your own emotions, and the emotions of others in a productive, as opposed to destructive manner.
Source :
- Robbin, Stephen P Organization Behavior
- https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-patty-ann-tublin/master-these-5-core-compo_b_11763566.html