Self-awareness is so important to leaders and their ability to understand how they land with their people and their own effectiveness. Lacking self-awareness for professionals can be the #1 blocker for their advancement, and for leaders it's essential. The more you can get in tune with what you are thinking, how you are thinking, and how you want to react, you can start to control your reaction more effectively. Understanding why you do what you do, and where you are coming from allows you to consider future action. In order to do that, you must listen to your own thought process. Positive control of your reaction or decisions stems from knowing yourself and what allows for your own clear thinking.

Improve Communication: Active Listening: Pay close attention to verbal and nonverbal cues when others communicate. Ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding. Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge and praise accomplishments to build morale and motivation. Team Building: Psychological Safety: Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment. This allows for open communication and better collaboration. Conflict Resolution: Develop skills to mediate disagreements constructively. Focus on finding solutions rather than assigning blame.

To address any shortcomings in emotional intelligence, begin by improving self-awareness. This entails identifying your emotional triggers and understanding how your feelings influence your actions and decision-making processes. Reflect on situations that evoke strong emotions and observe your reactions. By recognizing patterns in your emotional responses, you can develop strategies to manage them more effectively. In this journey, the role of trusted colleagues is crucial. I'd appreciate it if you could give me some insight into your emotional tendencies and help you become more attuned to your internal state. Keeping a journal or seeking input from trusted colleagues can provide valuable insights into your emotional tendencies.

I have a habit of reflecting outloud every time I make a decision, have an important conversation or feel like my emotions got the best of me in a situation. Revisiting the situation, how I moved to action and what motivated it or stopped it, I identify what are my triggers and can help regulate myself in future situations. This way I can increase my self-awareness as to in turn become more emotional intelligent.

Being an Empathetic Leader is crucial to building sustainable team under your charge. Your subordinates must not only respect you, they have to know that you understand them and that it is safe for them to share with you the difficulties that they are facing without feeling like you would use it against them. Managers and leaders who understand build teams who are loyal to them. Because in a world where more money or other material benefits can always be..... a trusting mentor that is invested in them is hard to come by. & They know that. This makes a world of difference in a long term career. People dont quit jobs. - People quit bosses. Be smart, Be there for your team always.

I completely agree about active listening, and I’d go one step further with “Listen with our eyes, not just our ears.” What I mean is to observe, what is being said and not said through the body - for the body does not lie. Listen to the tone, for emotions give so much context. Lastly, also be mindful of our own body and emotions as we hold space in the process of active listening.

Empathy is the practice of trying to understand why a person does what they do. For many, the idiom “take a walk in their shoes”, but it can go beyond that… you may want to try and understand what context and histories they have that differ from your own that may drive them to make decisions you might not make yourself.

Let's explore the practice of empathy in a friendly and professional manner. Empathy, the capacity to understand and share the emotions of others, is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence. Enhancing this skill can lead to more profound connections with your team, fostering a more collaborative and supportive work environment. To cultivate empathy, actively listen without judgment, and strive to see situations from their viewpoints. Even if you don't always agree with their perspectives, acknowledging their feelings is key to building trust and promoting open communication. Demonstrating genuine concern for your team members' well-being not only strengthens relationships but also encourages loyalty and collaboration.

Let's discuss the practicality and effectiveness of managing reactions in a friendly and professional manner. Leaders, in particular, can greatly benefit from honing their ability to regulate reactions, especially in stressful situations. Instead of reacting impulsively, it's beneficial to take a moment to pause, breathe, and consider potential outcomes. Techniques such as deep breathing or counting to ten before responding can significantly aid in maintaining composure. This pause empowers you to approach the situation with clarity and respond to your leadership objectives. Over time, incorporating these practices can revolutionize how you navigate emotional challenges and mitigate the adverse effects of inadequate emotional regulation.

Let's talk about the importance of clear communication in a friendly and professional manner. Effective leadership hinges on clear communication, with emotional intelligence shaping how your message resonates. Enhancing communication involves prioritizing transparency and directness while remaining mindful of others' emotions. In challenging situations, the importance of empathy cannot be overstated. It's crucial to demonstrate empathy and offer context to aid understanding. Fostering open dialogue and cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to share their thoughts fosters more productive and meaningful interactions.

As we become more self-aware, we are able to communicate more clearly. Higher conscience will help us connect better with other people and their experiences, emphatizing with them. This will help us be able to communicate in a way that they can understand. That is why practicing and improving our self-awareness can in turn improve our communication significantly.

To overcome the negative outcomes of lacking emotional intelligence in a leadership role, engage in continuous learning through workshops, courses, and coaching to develop self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills; actively seek feedback from peers and team members to understand the impact of your actions and make necessary adjustments, practice active listening to build stronger relationships, and implement regular self-reflection to identify areas for improvement, fostering a more supportive, understanding, and productive work environment.

What's missing that will be the difference maker for the leader overcoming negative impacts caused by a lack of emotional intelligence is humility. Abandoning one's ego to acknowledge personal and/or professional blind spots requires humility. Without humility, one's leadership impact will be limited and ineffective long-term.

Interesting research suggests that EQ levels are highest at the mid-manager level in companies and lowest in Executives and C-Suite. But, if you are an exec or C-Suite and are aware that that is not a strength, there is something you can do about it. Jim Rohn once said "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with". The principle is to surround yourself with people who will make you better. Or in this case, can fill in the gaps in your strengths. Hire leaders who can do this for you and can help you make decisions based on their insights. You don't have to be everything to all. Know your strengths and weaknesses, then build a team around that.