Undoubtedly, leadership and emotional intelligence are two elements that should not be separated for a business manager or company leader to achieve success in their leadership journey. These two elements complement each other, making leadership more effective and admirable. The leader's use of emotional intelligence positively influences their ability to connect with their subordinates (employees or team members), establishing trust and credibility in their leadership. Therefore, a successful leader must balance these crucial elements and base their leadership journey on a harmonious blend of wisdom and emotion.
Those unfamiliar with the concepts of leadership and emotional intelligence may wonder about their definitions. Let’s explore these terms in this section:
Leadership: Leadership encompasses the activities and practices that a leader undertakes to motivate subordinates to achieve the goals of the organization. It also includes organizing and controlling various processes to ensure the realization of these objectives.
Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize our feelings and the feelings of others in order to motivate ourselves and others, while managing our emotions effectively within interpersonal relationships.
To understand the synergy between leadership and emotional intelligence, we must first explore the components of emotional intelligence. According to Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence consists of two main components:
Awareness: Emotional awareness is divided into two aspects:
Self-Awareness: This refers to a person’s ability to recognize and understand their own feelings, as well as what actions or factors motivate them.
Social Awareness: This is the ability to understand how others feel and to identify the best ways to engage with and respond to their emotions.
Actions: Emotional actions can be divided into two categories:
Self-Management: This is a leader's ability to make sound judgments and think critically before taking any action. It also encompasses the leader's capacity to control their behavior and emotions and to motivate themselves towards achieving desired goals.
Social Skills: This refers to the leader’s ability to establish and manage effective social relationships and to lead their team correctly, possessing the skill to persuade and influence others.
A leader's capacity to possess emotional intelligence equips them to navigate their work smoothly and overcome various challenges. The previous analysis confirms the theory held by business management experts, which posits that the interaction between leadership and emotional intelligence will undoubtedly result in distinguished leadership. The leader's ability to optimally harness both leadership and emotional intelligence will pave the way for their success and excellence in their field.
In summary, leaders who embrace emotional intelligence not only foster a positive work environment but also inspire their teams to reach new heights. By understanding and managing their own emotions and those of others, leaders can make more informed decisions, enhance team dynamics, and drive the organization toward its goals effectively.