Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: 7 Reasons Why Great Leaders Have High Emotional Intelligence

Whether it is Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or MS Dhoni, we are sure you all have a leader you look up to. Great leaders are known for being unique, approaching problems in a way others haven’t. That’s what makes them stand out from the rest. There are also a lot of common traits they share, like high emotional intelligence. Leadership and Emotional Intelligence go hand in hand. 

Emotional intelligence is a vital trait for leaders, because it allows you to better work with the people around you. Psychology Today defines emotional intelligence or EQ as “the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.” It’s a valuable trait that everyone should have, as it can turn managers and team leads into leaders. 

Not everyone is born with a high EQ, but that doesn’t mean leadership and emotional intelligence cant be developed. If you want to become a great leader, learn to listen and observe. People who develop a high emotional intelligence can understand what people are feeling just by seeing their facial expressions and body movements, as well as from the tone of their voice. 

Why Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Matters 

People with a high EQ are better at dealing with other people. That’s because you will have greater empathy and understanding for your team. Emotional intelligence allows leaders to see their teams and employees as people first. Having a people-first approach, leaders can create goals and a company culture that works for people.  

Being people centric allows leaders to understand that their greatest asset is their team. Such teams tend to do better because everyone knows that they are valued. Having EQ allows leaders to achieve the following: 

Better Team Management: People with a high EQ are able to sympathize and empathize with others. That allows them to form meaningful bonds with their employees and co-workers. That way, they are better equipped to manage and lead teams, balancing the requirements of the organization with the human resources in hand.  

Better Conflict Resolution: There’s no denying conflict is a common issue in the workplace. Having a leader with high emotional intelligence helps here, since the individual is capable of listening to both sides rationally. Their ability to analyze the problem with a cool head allows them to provide workable solutions, while convincing those involved in the conflict. 

Improves Employee Loyalty: Leaders who are calm, rational and caring tend to inspire loyalty. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can attract employees to stay with them, which is great for the company. Such leaders see employees as people first, contributing to a culture of caring and concern, which is a great way to earn employee loyalty. 

Helps Create a Company Culture: Since leaders with high EQ create a culture of sharing and caring, they help form a positive company culture. Their presence makes employees feel like they are cared for, and that they are valued. That positivity translates into action, as employees will be more willing to work harder and care for each other.  

Enhanced Self-Awareness: Leadership and Emotional intelligence leads to greater self-awareness. That is vital for good leaders, since it allows them to understand their strengths and weaknesses. That way, they can develop confidence in their abilities, and seek guidance without ego. By putting their ego aside, such people are better suited to learning and leading.  

Efficient Communication: Communication is a two-way street. That basic fact is often forgotten, especially in a corporate culture where a top-down approach is preferred. Having a quality leadership and emotional intelligence will allow leaders to value their team and their contributions, which is why they tend to value two-way communication. They know when and where to communicate, and how to do so without harming the team’s morale.  

Helps Recognize Health Risks: Emotional intelligence can help leaders identify unhealthy or unwell employees. Such leaders can also identify health risks in a company, and work with employees to resolve those issues. That matters, as poor health can lead to a massive drop in productivity and affect company culture.  

Leaders with high emotional intelligence will understand the value of health benefits for startups, MSMEs and even large companies. They know that providing employee healthcare benefits is not a cost, but an asset to the organization. In a post-pandemic world, healthcare benefits have a crucial role to play in any company.  

If you want to create a healthy, happy and productive workforce you need to offer employee healthcare plans with comprehensive benefits. That’s where Onsurity comes in. Our business health plans provide benefits like doctor teleconsultations, discounted health check-ups and medicine delivery, fitness tracking and much more. Click on the button below.