No sooner the apple drops in Times Square, your New Year’s resolutions become a thing of the past, and before you know it, you start falling back into old habits and the promise of a better you extinguish. To keep the flame of constant renewal burning throughout the year, commit to elevating your emotional intelligence. You can start by setting a sincere intention to reset, reframe, and replenish, following up with consistent action to change and regular reflection on your progress.

Welcome to 2023 and to the first edition of Leading with Clarity. In the first season of my newsletter, I shared tips to help you increase your self-awareness and your awareness of others so you can build resilient relationships at home and work. This year, I’ll be sharing more insight to help you elevate your EQ to cope and thrive in these constantly changing and uncertain times of post-pandemic and hybrid work conditions where strong leadership is no longer a nicety, it’s a must.

Your ability to consistently drive for self-improvement, and to become a better version of yourself, is a direct result of your ability to develop your emotional intelligence. Numerous research highlights the importance of emotional intelligence as a sought-after skill by employees and employers alike, and a recent 2022 survey claimed that 71 percent of employers value EQ over IQ, while 75 percent are more likely to promote an employee with higher EQ over someone with higher IQ. While IQ might get you the job, your ability to perceive, evaluate, and respond to your emotions and the emotions of others, respond empathetically to people around you and nurture meaningful interpersonal relationships, your emotional intelligence, will help you keep the job and climb the ladder of professional and personal success. Because emotional intelligence involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions, and interpret and respond to the emotions of others, it's also become a crucial skill for effectively setting and achieving goals, connecting with others, and leading with a greater purpose that’s aligned with deep-seated values that govern behaviour.

So as you launch into a new year and drive towards a new you, remember to develop your emotional intelligence to become a more capable leader. Here are a few ways to do just that:

Be more engaging

One key aspect of emotional intelligence is the ability to engage with others in a way that builds trust and rapport and creates an environment where people feel heard and valued. Emotional intelligence can help you do this by allowing you to understand the emotions of those around you so you can respond in a way that is authentic and relatable. By being more engaged with your team, you can build trust, foster collaboration, and create a more positive work environment. You can also gain a better understanding of the needs and concerns of your team members, which in turn can help them make more informed decisions. In today's hybrid workplaces where we see fewer colleagues face-to-face, feeling a genuine connection is critical to effective collaboration that drives collective results.

Listen well

Another key aspect of emotional intelligence is the ability to listen well and with empathy. By actively listening and showing genuine interest in others’ perspectives and what they have to say, you can build stronger relationships and make better decisions together. When setting new year's intentions, think about improving your listening skills by being more present and attentive, asking open-ended questions, and actively seeking out feedback.

Use your influence to help others

As a leader, you often need to use your influence to get things done and achieve your goals. Emotional intelligence can help you do this by allowing you to better understand the emotions and motivations of others and use that knowledge to persuade and inspire them. When setting new year's intentions, think about how you can use your emotional intelligence to be more influential in your role, avoid manipulating others and instead build authentic and stronger relationships with those around you. Apply the platinum rule, "do unto others as they'd wish done unto them," and use your influence to help people learn and soar to new heights of learning and self-actualization.

Have clarity around goals and strategies

Emotional intelligence can also help you achieve greater clarity around your goals and strategies. By understanding your own emotions and motivations, you can set more meaningful and achievable goals. You can also use EQ to understand the needs and perspectives of others and collaborate on developing strategies that will be more effective in achieving shared goals.

Inspire others to be better versions of themselves

One of the most important aspects of emotional intelligence is the ability to inspire others to be their best selves. By understanding and managing your own emotions, you can create a positive and motivating work environment that encourages others to grow and develop. As a leader who nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose among your team members, you will more likely foster a culture of excellence, where everyone is motivated to give their best and work together towards a common goal. This can be achieved by clearly communicating your vision and goals, and by creating opportunities for people to grow and develop in their roles.

And by further shifting your leadership style to the developmental needs of your team members, you will discover their strengths and weaknesses to better provide them with the support and guidance they need to reach their full potential.

Bringing it all together

In conclusion, developing your emotional intelligence is key to becoming a better leader. You can do this by forming healthy habits that allow you to purposefully engage with others, use your influence effectively to guide and lead by example, gain greater clarity around goals and strategies, and inspire others to be their best selves. When you create a positive, productive, and inclusive work environment, everyone feels heard and valued and is motivated to give their best.

So as you set new year's intentions and look towards the future, remember to reap what you sow and commit to elevating your emotional intelligence in your personal and professional development regularly. Become the leader who involves and engages others, listens well, uses influence to guide and support, develops greater clarity around goals and strategies, and inspires others to become better versions of themselves.

In the end, a more emotionally intelligent leader is a more capable leader, one who makes a positive impact on the organization and the community. And by focusing on these key areas, you can set yourself up for success in the year ahead, and beyond.

If you want to learn how you can lead in 2023 with more clarity, and confidence to thrive by elevating your emotional intelligence and maximizing your influence to boost performance, drive results and build resilient team relationships, book your complimentary leadership breakthrough session by clicking the link below: