Module Two: Emotional Intelligence
It is a mystery to me. It seems that as a person increases his or her responsibility or position in an organization, their ability or willingness to exercise EQ (emotional intelligence) decreases. The same is true in our personal lives. Many times, when we find ourselves in a position of power or leverage, we forget or refuse the importance of EQ in relationships. Toxic work environments are created because of a lack of EQ. Relationships that are struggling can almost always point to a failure by one or both parties to exercise strong EQ. I will admit that developing and demonstrating strong EQ is hard work. However, the data is clear, refusing to infuse EQ in your daily life will result in lower job and life satisfaction.
It’s really not a mystery. Choose to demonstrate EQ with those you lead and love and you will make a difference.
Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership
In today’s fast-changing and competitive business environment, leadership goes beyond just meeting targets or using technical skills. While those abilities are important, it's becoming clear that great leadership is built on something more: Emotional Intelligence. As leaders, you play an important role in shaping the culture and direction of your company. Doing so successfully requires having a solid grasp of Emotional Intelligence, better known as EQ. A high EQ allows you to be more aware of both your emotions and those of others. This awareness helps you manage relationships with empathy, sincerity, and resilience. It also enables you to handle complex interpersonal situations with greater understanding.
Developing Emotional Intelligence isn't just a helpful skill—it’s a critical tool for any leader. As researcher Daniel Goleman highlights, EQ is often the "secret weapon" behind successful leadership. When you take the time to build your Emotional Intelligence, you create a stronger, more positive work environment that can better withstand challenges and support long-term success.
“It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head—it is the unique intersection of both.”
In The MSS Way Emotional Intelligence module, we explore how developing a strong EQ can improve your leadership. Your ability to recognize and manage both your own emotions and those of your team is critical to driving success. With this in mind, this module is designed to help you understand the importance of Emotional Intelligence in leadership, offer practical tips on how to apply it, and give you the tools to strengthen your EQ and lead more effectively.
As we dig into the key parts of EQ, you'll see how it can reshape not just your leadership but also improve your life overall. By building up your EQ, you'll make better decisions, strengthen relationships, and avoid more missteps, both on the job and off. Let’s get to work!