If you are like most leaders, you have a good sense of what the term emotional intelligence (EQ) means but you may not be able to pinpoint exactly what it means or, even more importantly, how to strengthen it.
When clients or HR leaders come to me, they often say something like:
“Jenna is a gifted technical contributor, but she has low EQ.”
“Matt is great with clients. He has very high EQ.”
Many executives come to work on improving their EQ, but aren’t able to tell me what they mean by that. They hear it in their performance reviews, but aren’t able to pinpoint what skills or behaviors to focus on.
What is Emotional Intelligence
In the 1990’s, social scientists began to research the impact of emotional awareness and regulation. Daniel Goleman’s seminal work Emotional Intelligence: Why it can Matter More than IQ, cast a spotlight on why it matters.
According to Goleman, 90% of the difference between outstanding and average leaders is linked to emotional intelligence (EQ), and this metric alone is twice as important as IQ and technical experience when it comes to success.
“IQ and technical skills are important. But emotional intelligence is the sine qua non of leadership.”
— DANIEL GOLEMAN
How does Executive Coaching Improve Emotional Intelligence
Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence is not fixed. It is a set of skills that can be learned. At the heart of an executive coaching engagement, our focus is on improving EQ.
Through a variety of modalities, I work with executives to cultivate key EQ factors in areas such as:
- Interpersonal Skills: Empathy, Strengthening Teams and Relationships, Meaningful Contributions
- Stress Management: Resilience, Adaptability, Stress Tolerance
- Decision Making: Problem Solving, Impulse Control
- Intrapersonal Skills: Self-Awareness, Self-Perception, Self-Motivation
- Self-Expression: Communication, Assertiveness, Emotional Control
In my work with clients, the focus on emotional intelligence is nuanced and it can be challenging work. The rewards is that it is a more sustainable approach that focusing on tactics alone. Leaders begin to see how their increased self-awareness and relational awareness results in better emotional well-being, stronger relationships and greater impact.
Starla Sireno is an NYC-based Executive Leadership Coach. She has helped develop leaders in some of the most recognized organizations ranging from Fortune 500 to fast-growth technology companies. Starla has partnered with more than 500 leaders in over 60 organizations around the world. Inquire how you can work with Starla or her team.