The World Economic Forum has named emotional intelligence as one of the top skills needed for success in 2020. But what is it? 

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the “something” in each of us that is a bit intangible. It affects how we manage behavior, navigate social complexities, and make personal decisions that achieve positive results. Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships.

Too often, people reduce emotional intelligence to what we call “emotional awareness,” or the knowledge that cues you into your feelings. “I am happy; I am sad; I am frustrated.”Yet emotional self-awareness is but one very small part of the whole.

Influential psychologist Daniel Goleman developed a framework of five elements that define emotional intelligence:

1. Self-awareness.
2. Self-regulation.
3. Motivation.
4. Empathy.
5. Social skills.

Even if you already have many of the elements of emotional intelligence, it’s important to look for opportunities to build it further. This will increase your leadership potential, and improve the quality of your relationships.

 Therefore, emotional intelligence as a whole could be defined as the ability to know yourself and perceive your emotions, express yourself assertively and independently, have mutually satisfying relationships with others, make decisions from a grounded, secure place, and manage stress well while facing the future with optimism.

As a leader within your organization, you should make it your goal to evolve the company’s EI. Emotionally intelligent teams are healthier and more productive. They communicate better, work toward goals with enthusiasm and focus, and have stronger relationships among teammates. Thus, your company succeeds and employee retention soars.

How healthy is your company’s EI? Here are some signs that it may be time to uplevel emotional intelligence:

• High turnover rate
• Stress-induced sickness prevalent in the workplace
• Culture of backbiting and gossip
• Communication gaps between managers and direct reports
• Mistakes are severely punished
• Select few employees are preferred, while the rest are largely forgotten
• Personal and professional development is not taken seriously
• Workplace is not inclusive of employees from diverse backgrounds

Emotional intelligence starts at the top. That means if either of these “warning signs” are prevalent in your workplace, it’s incumbent on leadership to create a healthier, more kind environment in which team members can do their best work.

It’s not enough to succeed by hitting sales goals, or discovering an elusive algorithm, or landing the biggest client. Your success as an organizational leader is directly tied to the health and success of those who report to you. There’s the old saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

Certificate Track: Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Coach 
Location: Live Online via Zoom
Tuition: $499
Program Days  5 Full Days or 12 Weeks Online 

ICF Accredited Certification

This Program is Quick Online program that will equip you to  Coach people to Higher Emotional Intelligence. 

The Program includes and In-depth Study into the 5 domains of Emotional Intelligence and the 12 Capabilities of Emotional Intelligence plus insights on how Emotional Intelligence impacts Motivation and Behaviour. Each Module Includes a Coaching Guide that you could use with your team Improve their Emotional Intelligence.

Are you A leader or a Coach. Enhance your toolbox with this Coaching skill.  This program can be used to develop your own Emotional Intelligence Capabilities or the ones around you.

Should you wish to do the program as a team request a group discount by emailing hello@leadershipacademysa.co.za