Think Emotional Intelligence Doesn’t Matter in Business? Think Again.

What is Emotional Intelligence, anyway? And, since it sounds like touchy, feely stuff, why does it matter in business? Daniel Goleman first published his foundational book on EI in 1996, titled, Emotional Intelligence, and defines emotional intelligence as “the ability to recognize, understand and manage our own emotions, and to recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others.”

 Leaders with high Emotional Intelligence have high self-awareness and are able to see where their short-comings with respect to understanding their own emotions and the emotions of others impact the performance of their executive teams, and therefore whole departments and organizations. High EI also means the ability to adapt well to change and to understand ones’ own and others’ negative emotions related to change. One of the hallmarks of leaders with high EI is the ability to empathize well. Strong empathy skills are at the heart of EI. 

 Toxic Leadership Saps Productivity

When executive leadership teams include executives who are toxic in their relationships with others, can’t be flexible when needed, and miss clues about the feelings of others, time and resources are wasted. 

 My fellow consultants and coaches and I on the Townsend Leadership Team are specifically trained in helping increase EI, and, most importantly, empathy skills. Our work with leaders transforms their lives as well as their organizations, making individuals and companies healthier. The return on investment for this type of work is extremely high.

 Do You Want to Cultivate Emotional Intelligence? 

Read more on Emotional Intelligence and check out this article in Harvard Business Review by Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis, Emotional Intelligence has 12 Elements.  Which do You Need to Work On?  Contact us to learn how to use the Townsend Leadership EI skill building to increase self-awareness and improve the communications on your team and throughout the company.