What is meant by emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of others. It helps people handle relationships, communicate effectively, and respond to challenges in a thoughtful way. As such, it is an important part of effective leadership.

Emotional intelligence is made up of several key parts:

• Self awareness: Understanding your own emotions and how they influence your thoughts and actions.
• Self regulation: Managing your emotions in a way that helps you stay calm, adaptable, and in control.
• Motivation: Using emotions to stay focused and committed to goals.
• Empathy: Recognising and considering the feelings of others.
• Social skills: Communicating well, resolving conflicts, and working effectively with different people.

For example, a person with strong emotional intelligence might stay calm during a stressful situation, offer support to someone who is struggling, or adjust their tone and approach depending on how others feel.

Why emotional intelligence is important 

An advanced leader does more than just manage tasks - they also support and guide people. Emotional intelligence helps leaders to:

• Make better decisions: Leaders who understand their own emotions can think clearly and avoid making choices based on frustration or stress.
• Build strong relationships: Leaders with high emotional intelligence find it easier to communicate well, listen to others, and create positive connections.
• Motivate and inspire: Understanding what people need emotionally helps leaders encourage and support their team effectively.
• Handle conflict calmly: Leaders with emotional intelligence can resolve disagreements in a fair and thoughtful way.
• Adapt to challenges: By managing their own emotions, leaders can stay focused and flexible when faced with difficulties.

For example, if a leader notices that someone in their team is feeling discouraged, they might offer encouragement or adjust their approach to provide support. If a conflict arises, an emotionally intelligent leader listens carefully and works towards a solution rather than reacting with frustration.

How to build emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a skill step that can be developed over time with practice and self-awareness. Here are some ways to improve it:

• Pay attention to your emotions: Take time to notice how you feel in different situations and how those emotions affect your actions.
• Learn to pause before reacting: When faced with a strong emotion, take a moment to think before responding.
• Practice empathy: Try to understand other people’s feelings by listening carefully and considering their perspective. Try to see things from their perspective.
• Improve communication: Think about how to express your thoughts and emotions clearly but respectfully in ways that show empathy.
• Manage stress: Find healthy ways to handle pressure, such as taking deep breaths, staying organised, or talking to someone for support to avoid emotional overload.
• Reflect on interactions: After conversations or difficult situations, think about what went well and what could be improved.

For example, if you are getting frustrated in a conversation, pausing to take a breath and think before responding can help prevent a negative reaction. If a colleague seems upset, asking, “Is there anything I can do to help?” shows empathy and strengthens relationships.

By building emotional intelligence, you can improve your ability to handle challenges, connect with others, and lead effectively.