The world is so different! We do not even think of the same things we used to think, dream or hope for before Covid. Our struggles are JUST PLAIN different!

What’s important today is:

• How am I navigating working from home?
• How can I keep my team engaged?
• How can I find time for myself?

Understanding and developing Emotional Intelligence helps with these issues we face, and Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the key for leaders who want to stand out from the crowd. Starting our day and being present at work with a heart filled with contentment is critical, especially now with so many stressors. 

Here are the 3 ways that developing your EQ will help you transform your leadership style and lead your team to success:

• 1. Helps You Focus on YOU

Only 2.6% of management are highly engaged according to Forbes.

Employee engagement is a hot topic right now, but it often stops being considered when it reaches the leadership level. Most leaders are actively disengaged from their work, and by extension, their team.

2 of the 5 factors of EQ that we measure and discussed in my book, The Power of EQ:Stronger Leadership through Emotional Intelligence are self-awareness and self-regulation. It is hard to fix a problem if you do not know it exists, so that’s where EQ starts. As soon as you look inward, you are already on the path to being a successful leader.

• 2. Improves Communication

Harvard Business School cites 78% of business leaders are focused on improving their engagements with employees. Leaders can no longer just dictate and expect work to magically get done by their team. Workers are now looking for a company that really cares about their employees, a mission they can believe in, and a leader they can be proud to work under.

That is where social awareness and social regulation come into play. These factors measure how well you understand the emotions of others, and how you can influence the emotional clarity of others. The best leaders are observing and listening before acting. And bringing their best self to each day is critical. As I state in my newest book, Finding Contentment in a Chaotic World we must “understand how you show up in and navigate your life.” Communications can be improved by understanding yourself first, and then how you interact with others really makes a difference.

• 3. Increases Empathy

Forbes cites 96% of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention. And empathy is one of the things my clients say they appreciate most in their leaders at work. 

When we feel at ease with ourselves and empathic, then we are able to exhibit that in relationships at work. Empathy is expressed through active listening, compassion and feeling at peace with yourself. In order to be empathic, we must first feel contentment in our own life. Paula Rollo said, “Contentment does not mean that I desire nothing. But rather, it’s the simple decision to be happy with what I have.” Bringing that “Contentment” to work and our relationships can increase engagement and our likeability.

People want to believe in their work and themselves. The role of a leader is to empower them to do just that through support and development. That process is driven by the fifth factor of EQ, motivation. Motivation is the passion to work for reasons that go beyond external drive — it is an internal fire.

So, bring your best self to work with a contented feeling and then use that fire to light others up, and you will be amazed at the results that come back to you.