“CEO’s are hired for their intellect and business expertise, and fired for a lack of emotional intelligence.” - Daniel Goleman.

In 1995, Daniel Goleman introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI), revolutionizing our understanding of leadership. 

Just three years later, he posed a crucial question that still resonates today: What Makes a Leader?

Up to that point, IQ assessment was the king of intelligence measurements. 

Of course! 

Since without hard skills or proper intellectual tools of certain level, no one can perform accordingly to the minimum requirements of any given position. 

But, none of us only performs, let’s say, operational tasks; we ALSO need to interact with each other, negotiate in different scenarios and situations; including highly challenging ones, and even conflictive ones. 

And precisely there is when the QUEEN of intelligence measurements weighs in, BIG TIME: our EI. 

Emotional Intelligence, ladies & gents! 

Have you ever worked with someone technically brilliant, but who left the team uninspired, disconnected, or even demotivated?

That’s why even though IQ and hard/technical skills are considered “necessary threshold” to perform according to the position’s requirements, EI is THE excluding condition of LEADERSHIP.

Without EI, even the sharpest mind and the most technically equipped person, WON’T be able to LEAD OTHERS with, and towards SUCCESS.

Remember that last week I’ve mention that a leader, to think how is going to exercise leadership, had to run a deep and honest introspective look of himself/herself.

Well, let’s look then, into FIVE KEY competences of Emotional Intelligence:

1. Self-awareness:  Recognize our own emotions, strength and limits.

2. Self-constrain: keep initial reactions and impulses in check, and remain composed.

3. Self-motivation: internal passion and drive to achieve a goal, not dependent on external looks or rewards.

4. Empathy: understand, consider and read others people’s emotions and motivations.

5. Social skills:  build networks, persuade, negotiate, contribute and team working.

As we go over this list, more and more it becomes crystal clear that is about excercising that introspective look.

In Senior Leadership positions, almost 90% of the difference between outstanding Executives and average executives is due to EI factors.

Without a failure, EVERY SINGLE time, I came across with highly successful organizations, those that are #1 and a reference of their industries, No surprise…

From Senior Leadership, top-down, you could feel, you could live and breathe these “softs” skills in the air. Present in every single corner of that organization, in every single people at any level, consistently. 

I won’t be shy to share that at The Walt Disney Company, during my long tenure there, that culture was not only visible— but it was TANGIBLE. You could feel it in the air and live to it.

 Simon Sinek, in one of his most iconic lectures explains how team leaders are selected in one of the most fast paced, efficient and renowned organizations in the world: US Navy Seals. 

Of course they want a skilled operative to lead a team, but they ultimately choose the ones that also inspire ultimate loyalty and trust, by their example. 

The ones that the rest of the crew would be willing to follow to the end.

I’ve been privileged enough to know several leaders like that. Every time I had the opportunity to work with them, they’ve inspired me to give my best, especially during challenging or critical times.

NOT because of the company goals – which of course is critical – NOT because of the project at sight; but because they gave me their best, and in return I didn’t want to let them down, I didn’t want to let them alone in the battle.

They have inspired me to want to be the best I could.

THE GOLDEN STANDARD for any organization that wants to succeed should be:

Bring up the best in your People. Nurture their Talent. That will make your company the best. A company of winners. And if you are the Best, unavoidably, you’ll become #1. If you are #1, your brand will be global Pop Culture.

Do we feel inspired? Are we the best we can be?

If not yet, we can work on it. And in the process, become better leaders—together.

If you're leading a team—or preparing to—let’s work together to enhance the Emotional Intelligence capabilities that will drive your people, and your organization, to lasting success. 

Reach out for a tailored coaching or consulting session.

Let’s be GREAT and GOOD!