Why is Emotional Intelligence (EQ) important?

Dear Readers as you can see, I have changed what I focus on – like any enterprise I also have to zoom into what is relevant in the current economic climate. Hence you can see most of my writings on Islamic Social Entrepreneurship is focused on being a good leader who is resilient and excellent at making bold decisions but within constrains of taking calculated risks. Just don’t be scarred to take risks but has to be calculated risks.

So lets talk about Emotional Intelligence which I strongly believe is another key characteristics of an Islamic Social Entrepreneur. This is more relevant than ever because there are so many challenges, running an organization and leading a team has never been easy. Yet many leaders do not showcase the characteristics of an emotional intelligent leader.

Those who have high emotional intelligence are “able to easily build relationships, possess personal integrity, can be inspiring, and have excellent communication skills, among other positive traits.” It’s easy to imagine how these attributes would resonate, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic’s uncertainty.

The emotionally intelligent leader is more likely to successfully manage many relationships in a crisis. Inspiring others and managing conflict, for instance, is easier for those leaders who can connect on a deeper level via EQ.

Leaders with high EQ know themselves. They can effectively self-regulate and self-motivate through a difficult, uncertain time. Coming from a solid self-foundation, these leaders are able to engage effectively with others. They see staff as people, not just producers of outcomes. They also put in the extra effort needed to check in with themselves to manage how they come across in their interactions with employees.

By practicing empathy, the EQ leader can imagine how direct reports are experiencing remote work and their fears for family members’ health. Emotional intelligence helps create “psychological safety.” Connecting with staff through empathy can foster increased engagement. This, in turn, improves focus and productivity.

Apart from the above, with their excellent communications skills, these leaders can really listen to the people who are working virtually and better understand what they are thinking and feeling. This connection can help the staffer struggling with the isolation of working from home to feel more engaged and heard at work.

The EQ leader is also tapped into team dynamics and works to give everyone a voice. This helps improve company culture, which is all the more critical now that people are collaborating predominantly via computer screens.

Risk-taking is also more likely in a work environment where individuals feel psychologically safe and supported. Your people may be more willing to take a creative approach to problem solving, step up to challenges, and challenge the status quo. This is where the innovation happens, which could be all the more essential in times when business must quickly adapt to new restrictions and customer needs.