You’ve heard all about the importance of emotional intelligence. Perhaps you even consider yourself quite savvy when it comes to the art of demonstrating a high EQ.
You can’t fake caring. And leaders with emotional intelligence know that — and truly care. “If the success of their team determines a leader’s success, the key to being successful is to care about those people genuinely. Sometimes, it’s really just as simple as demonstrating that,” says de Kock.
According to her, emotionally intelligent leaders create safe spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves. How? By being in touch with their own emotions and sharing them.
It can feel counterintuitive and even selfish to prioritize your needs when you deeply care about your team. Still, you won’t be able to tune into your own emotional intelligence if you’re stretched thin.