So you want to be an influential leader… What do you need to do to get from where you are now to where you want to be? You might be thinking you need to push yourself and your team harder. Get them smashing their KPIs day in and day out. Create a cutthroat environment where only the best is accepted.
I’m going to stop you right there. That’s not going to work. Being at the butt end of that kind of environment and fixing companies that decided to operate that way from the leader down, it doesn’t get results. Not long-term impactful results.
To lead your business into real influence, you need to act from emotional intelligence.
What do I mean by emotional intelligence?
This is the Google definition:
“the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.”
That’s right. It starts from how we handle our own emotions and therefore actions and then how we handle other people’s emotions and actions. We can’t treat ourselves or our team like we’re robots. Artificial intelligence hasn’t taken over yet! Understanding that emotional regulation is the key to productivity and success is your foundation.
Why does it matter?
We are all the main characters in our own lives. What might be an off-handed comment from your perspective can ruin someone’s whole day or chip away at their self-esteem. An achievement you might see as small so don’t acknowledge could make you seem uncaring or ungrateful to someone else.
An ability to see each day, situation and process in business from multiple perspectives allows you to bring everyone up with you, ensuring they’re working at their best. It comes down to self-awareness. How is what you are saying and doing impacting others? How are your emotions impacting your responses and is that appropriate? What emotional experiences are others having? What can you do to help them?
This is more important now than ever. As a leader, nurturing your team is key. We’ve all been through a lot in the last couple of years. As a result, companies are moving towards a human-centric approach that not only allows the freedom and flexibility of work styles like remote and hybrid working but a management style that leads with empathy. This is a shift that benefits everyone.
So how do you develop your emotional intelligence as a leader?
Upskilling
It starts with you. Do you have the skills required to act with self-awareness and empathy? When you invest in your self-development as a leader, your whole organisation benefits. Become more effective for your team by upskilling, committing to lifelong learning and also taking time off when you need it!
Reflection
It’s easy to get so caught up in what we’re working towards that we don’t take moments to pause and reflect. Decisions and thoughts in the moment aren’t always representative of the situation. It takes time and stepping back to see the real picture. Whether it’s discussing your day with a coach or letting your thoughts flow in a journal, don’t be in a rush to move on and make big decisions.
Perspectives
Step out of your own perspective so you can see what could be affecting your response and understand the situation from other perspectives. Our personal interpretations are always subjective. If you really want to understand what makes your team tick, you need to understand where they’re coming from. We aren’t all the same. That’s what makes us great while also presenting a challenge for leaders.
Communication
When was the last time you told one of your team members what a great job they did? How many times have you skipped over celebrating success within the team to focus on the next goal? Taking time to celebrate, compliment and spread positivity changes the whole dynamic of a workplace.
Simply put, feeling appreciated and supported makes a real difference to people. Instead of your relationship being based on asking for more all the time, your relationship is based on a balanced exchange of giving and asking. Never underestimate the power of encouragement.
Increasingly leaders are waking up to the fact that businesses can’t run without acknowledging the effect emotions and relationships have on the everyday running and success of organisations. Why push when you can nurture? It creates a happier and healthier environment. Through self-regulation and self-awareness, we can interact with others in a way that brings out the best in them and therefore the best in the business.
To find out more about developing your emotional intelligence to improve yourself as a business leader, book a free consultation. We can chat about ways to upskill and improve how you show up in your business.