This week’s Pearl of Leadership Wisdom is on….

Emotional Intelligence

“Those who enter the gates of heaven are not beings who have no passions or who have curbed the passions, but those who have cultivated an understanding of them.” —William Blake

A bit longer than usual…but the same excellent quality…

IQ only gets you so far. Most of us have enough IQ points to do what we need to do. So what makes the difference?

There’s nothing new under the sun…

Although the concept of “social intelligence” has been around since the 1920s, it wasn’t until 1990 that the first scientific paper appeared on what was referred to as emotional intelligence. Then, Daniel Goleman wrote, ”Emotional Intelligence” in 1995, and things took-off. I’ve read it. It’s not an easy read by any means. But it is a page turner, if you like that sort of thing, and I do.

Too much hype…

As is often the case, the usefulness of ideas like emotional intelligences has been obscured by all the shreaking headline-grabbing rubbish such as “only 20% of your success due to IQ, the rest is due to EQ” (as emotional intelligence is often called, bizarrely). It’s infinitely more nuanced than that.

We all know smart people who are difficult and should do better than they do, if only they could fake being human. And we all know people who perhaps might struggle with an IQ test, but do very well thank you very much.

This is what the books say…

Firstly…you just get them…

…people with high emotional intelligence are better at getting their ideas and goals across. They are more articulate, assertive and sensitive.

Secondly…great teams…

…emotional intelligence is closely associated with the skills required to operate effectively in a team.

Thirdly…bringing up baby…

…business leaders with high emotional intelligence build nurturing climates which increase organisational commitment, which in turn leads to success. (It has been reported that Fred Goodwin, the ex CEO of RBS, was authoritarian and cultivated a climate of fear in the corridors of his Edinburgh HQ. Authoritarianism is the antithesis of emotional Intelligence. I’ve never met him…he might be a real laugh…).

Fourthly…self-knowledge…

…leaders with high emotional intelligence are perceptive and know their own as well as their team’s strengths and weaknesses, which enables them to leverage the former and compensate for the latter.

Fifth…I can cope…

…emotional intelligence is related to the coping skills which enable people to deal better with demands, pressures and stress.

Sixth…I know what you need…

…high emotional intelligence leaders can accurately identify what followers feel and need, as well as being more inspiring and supportive. They generate more excitement, enthusiasm and optimism.

Seventh…behave yourself!…

…managers with high emotional intelligence, unlike their low emotional intelligence companions, are less prone to negative, defensive and destructive coping mechanisms and decision-making styles.

I can see success coming more easily to those with more of the above rather than less. I guess the key question is “can I improve my emotional intelligence and if so, how?”

Here’s a start…

Well if emotional intelligence is all about understanding, managing and using emotions, which it is, because I looked it up for you after shouting at the kids to get off the computer, then you, like me, will agree that reflecting on the emotions you feel today, and what you allow them to do both to and for you, good and bad, is a step towards greater self-management and ultimately…leadership.

Mark