Years ago, almost anyone you asked would say that it’s inappropriate to express emotions in the workplace. Even today, a catabolic leader would probably agree. Catabolic leaders are unaware of their own and other people’s emotions, as well as the effect they have on others.
Anabolic leaders have a different perspective – they understand the importance of emotions in the workplace. They are aware of and express their emotions appropriately, and help others do the same. Anabolic leaders are often described as easy to work with, trustworthy, realistic, confident, optimistic and motivated.
In the final post of The Makings of a Great Leader blog series, let’s explore the role emotional intelligence has in successful leadership.
Emotional Intelligence Defined
We’ve all heard of someone who has a high IQ, all the requisite skills needed for the position, and an impressive degree to boot failing as an effective leader. Or, at some point in time, most everyone has had a boss from hell who bellowed out demands and didn’t think twice about shaming employees in front of others.
Beyond the obvious, what makes these types of leaders ineffective? They lack emotional intelligence (EI), the ability to distinguish, understand, and have an awareness of how thoughts and feelings are related to outward displays and behaviors. EI also involves the ability to manage and express emotions appropriately – and help others do the same.
Emotional intelligence has a direct relation to interpersonal effectiveness – the higher your emotional intelligence, the more effective you will be as a leader.
Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author of the best-selling book Emotional Intelligence, defined five main components that make up EI, shown in the diagram.
Why EI is Key in Leadership
Anabolic leaders understand that emotions are integral to the human experience – but they know how to express emotions appropriately, in the right time and place. Emotions come from interpretations and are not automatic responses over which we have no control.
As a leader, it is integral to consistently monitor your emotional state. Pay attention to the effect your moods and behaviors have on yourself and those around you. This aspect of the self-awareness component of emotional intelligence leads directly into another element – self-regulation.
Since they’re not generally aware of their emotions, catabolic leaders tend to respond inappropriately when expressing emotions – by yelling, rolling their eyes, finger-pointing, etc. Being aware of your emotions and the effects they have can help you effectively regulate your behavior. Instead of flying off the handle, an anabolic leader stays in control, remains closely aligned with her values, and makes well-informed decisions.
Motivation, obviously, is a hallmark characteristic of a successful leader. An effective leader takes initiative, is committed to self-growth, and is persistent as he nurtures his vision.
Empathy is sometimes confused with sympathy, but each is totally different. Awareness is key in developing empathy, since you can’t expect to understand someone else unless you’re in touch with your own emotions first. Empathy is not about “feeling sorry” for someone, but rather involves the ability to sense the emotions of others or to imagine what another person might be thinking or feeling.
The final component of emotional intelligence, social skills, is critical in the development and growth of any leader. Leaders who build their social skills to effectively communicate with others are able to resolve conflicts, persuade others, and give appropriate feedback.
Tips to Develop EI
Remember, the greater your emotional intelligence, the more effective – and respected – you’ll be as a leader. Follow these simple tips to continue developing your emotional intelligence:
- Practice accountability.
- Know your values and be authentic.
- Practice awareness by journaling to analyze the effects of your emotions.
- Put yourself in the other person’s shoes to see a situation from a different perspective.
- Work with a coach or mentor to develop your skills or work on achieving goals.
Each component of emotional intelligence – self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills – is equally important. Your ability to master EI will have a direct and powerful impact on your effectiveness as a leader. Perhaps as important, developing emotional intelligence has benefits that reach far beyond the boardroom.