Your Emotions are Affecting Your Leadership Potential

Leadership theorists used to argue that great leaders were genetically gifted, basically ‘born’ as leaders.

Not only do we at Leaders Only categorically disagree, but plenty of studies have now disproved that view anyway.

We now know that 70 percent of the qualities associated with great leaders are learned behaviors.

Since 1996 there has been a massive boom in leadership development - but somehow there is still a lack of true leadership in our society.

We are out to change that.

In our last issue, we spoke briefly about Emotional Intelligence.

In the constantly changing landscape of business, leadership is not solely about making decisions, setting goals, or managing tasks.

It's equally about understanding and harnessing the human element within yourself and your team or organization.

Emotional Intelligence drives success. Our content is designed to do just that, and best of all, it’s free.

So why does Emotional Intelligence actually matter?

1. Enhanced Decision-Making: Leaders with high EI make better decisions because they can navigate complex situations by considering both facts and emotions.

2. Effective Communication: EI enables leaders to communicate more empathetically, leading to clearer and more meaningful interactions with team members.

3. Conflict Resolution: Leaders with strong EI can defuse conflicts by understanding the underlying emotions and finding constructive solutions.

Emotional Intelligence doesn’t just improve your leadership abilities.

There is a natural progression from start to finish.

Choose to be the person who is decisive.

Start by making a habit of never saying “I don’t know”.

(Or worse, “I dunno”.)

Instead - lead with decisive action;

Them:
“What do you want to eat"?”

You: 
“I’m not sure but let’s come up with some options. Is there anything that you definitely do not want?”

This scenario above happens almost daily amongst friends, family, and coworkers. This is your very first opportunity to start building a new habit and becoming decisive.

Decisive action then leads to better communication, as this clearly demonstrates.

The better the communication, the faster and more efficient the problem is solved.

Can you see how simply making bold decisions and being more sure of yourself can almost instantly solve most of your problems?

It immediately begins to position yourself as a stronger leader to the people around you.

Here are some things you can work on this week in order to improve your Emotional Intelligence and Communication skills:

1. Self-Reflection: Regularly assess your own emotions, triggers, and reactions to situations. Journaling can be a helpful tool.

2. Active Listening: Practice deep listening and strive to understand the emotions behind what others are saying.

3. Empathy Building: Make a conscious effort to put yourself in others' shoes, considering their feelings and perspectives.

4. Emotion Regulation: Learn techniques to manage your own emotions effectively, such as mindfulness or meditation.

Closing Thoughts: 

Emotional Intelligence is not just a soft skill; it's a critical leadership competency that can significantly impact your business's success.

As entrepreneurs and freelancers, you have the opportunity to lead with empathy and authenticity, setting a positive example for your teams and clients.

Side Quest: Take a personality test (there are plenty of options to choose from) and get more familiar with your own strengths and weaknesses. This will be very helpful along your leadership journey.

Knowing your personality type will help you understand yourself and those around you. It will help make you more attractive, make you make more money, grow your confidence, and guide you throughout life.

Thank you for being a part of Leaders Only.

Your commitment to growth and learning is what drives our shared success.

To your success,
Myke