Most of us have met leaders over time for whom achieving goals was more important than the team. At the limit, you were inclined to say that even the people on the team were just resources or figures that this type of leader was working with. This leader could report very good results at the beginning of the activity but, unfortunately, he could not maintain them. Why? Because at some point it became clear to the people that the leader did not care about them. Whats is the outcome? People were leaving the team, and the initial results were not being achieved.
What can we do with this type of leader? If we are entrepreneurs, do we fire him? If we are members of a company's board of directors, do we withdraw its support? If we are in the HR department, do we warn him about employee retention? This type of leader makes a typical mistake: he is so focused on numbers that he forgets the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Any of the roles we are talking about, the way this type of leader proceeds incriminates him. And yet what can we do?
The first step in transformation is awareness
Fortunately, there is a chance for this type of leader to become aware of his role and actions from a broader perspective. He is not only responsible for the results, but also for the people. He not only reports figures, but also projects the cohesion of a team to which he proposes to fulfill the vision he describes. The solution? Executive coaching is a possible remedy. Most leaders who have experience with a structured executive coaching program gain more clarity in making decisions that will involve not only processes and numbers, but also people.
These leaders end up changing their approach. They spend more time focusing on their team. He asks his colleagues not only what they think, or what they do, but also how they feel. I ask them for ideas and also ask them how I can help them accomplish their tasks; all while sharing their thoughts and aspirations. The outcome? Very soon, employee retention is increasing, and many other performance indicators continue to improve.
Characteristics of the emotionally intelligent leader
But what does emotional intelligence look like in leadership? It takes many different forms: from self-irony that gives comfort to colleagues in interacting with the leader, to messages of thanks to customers for the confidence to purchase the company's products and to letters of thanks to employees for their contribution to the company's success.
Leaders show emotional intelligence when they are open to opportunities to show empathy and support. They not only execute the "empathy protocol" to save appearances, but they have the right answer to understanding an emotion of colleagues, customers, business partners. Leaders with emotional intelligence consider other ideas and perspectives and are not critical of the responses and emotional reactions of others. An emotionally intelligent leader is fully present and is able to understand them quickly, better and involve their colleagues more.
The importance of emotional intelligence in business
What is the importance of emotional intelligence in business? First of all, emotional intelligence is important when the leader is facing a difficult situation and responds to adversity in a calm and well-calibrated way. The emotionally intelligent leader is better at managing emotions during times of stress or pressure.
Second, the development of emotional intelligence is easier when leaders want to improve and put into practice their own self-knowledge. With no time to improve, leaders are more likely to stop developing or reverting to old habits.
Third, Emotional Intelligence is widely recognized as a valuable skill and is also one that researchers believe can be improved through training and exercise. While emotional skills may be natural for some people, there are things anyone can do to improve their ability to understand and reason with emotions. This can be especially useful in the workplace, where relationships and business decisions are often based on interpersonal communication and teamwork.
Some of the reasons why emotional intelligence can be the key to business success are:
• Emotional intelligence helps leaders make better business decisions
• Leaders with higher EQs are better at resolving conflicts
• They tend to listen more, reflect and respond constructively to criticism
• I can understand customers' needs faster and clearer, noticing new opportunities
• I know how to shape the work climate to inspire team members to evolve continuously
About PKF Finconta
For more than 26 years, PKF Finconta is one of the 10 leading professional services companies in Romania. Since 2006, we are a member of PKF International Limited. PKF International is a leading international business advisory organization. The company grew consistently over the years, forming a Group of four companies: PKF Finconta, PKF Finconta Consultanta, PKF Finconta HR, and Finconta Consulting SPRL, members of national professional organizations CECCAR, CAFR, CCFR, and UNPIR. We provide a wide range of business advisory and related specialist services. We have seven core areas of expertise and within these areas, we tailor our services to your business and your needs: audit, corporate finance, tax, bookkeeping, and accounting advisory services, transfer pricing, payroll and personnel administration, and insolvency.
