Written by: Sílvia Fontquerni, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We’ve all had a boss or a manager who made our work life harder, challenging, or demotivating — domineering, unfair treatment, diminishing employees, not walking the talk, or not keeping their word.
Who wants to work with a grouchy leader? Who feels appreciated by an irritating boss?
In contrast, what makes a superior excellent? Two critical keys are ‘being emotionally intelligent and well-balanced.’
Well-balanced definition:
It can be:
Emotionally untroubled.
Emotionally stable.
Mentally strong and healthy.
A well-balanced leader is confident, able to overcome fears / self-limitations, and bounce back from adversities.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) definition:
It is the ability to understand ourselves and others, to manage ourselves and our relationships. To sum it up, it is the capacity of understanding and being aware of our own feelings/emotions and other people’s feelings/emotions. (Goleman)
Why Emotional Intelligence (EI) and being well-balanced are important in the workplace?
Goleman affirms: Emotions are contagious, we are all interconnected, we all affect each other with our moods and actions. Our emotions automatically shift into the register of the other person we are and work with. Leaders are the ones who have the strongest effect on the team’s emotional transmission as everybody watches the leader.
How can you know if a leader is well-balanced and emotionally intelligent?
This type of leader can:
Be fair.
Be objective.
Focus on what is best for the team rather than self-interests.
Put themselves into other’s shoes and make people feel good.
Be responsible and able to recognize own mistakes.
Be transparent and trustworthy.
Actively listen.
Self-control.
What is the impact at the workplace?
An emotionally intelligent and well-balanced leader attracts and retains talented people for the pleasure of working in their presence. When people feel good, they work at their best. Feeling good is linked to efficiency, enhances creativity and decision-making skills. Positive leaders get more work done with less effort. (Goleman)
It can determine a team’s success as this type of leaders are linked to:
Create a positive work climate.
Enhance team working.
Awareness of their own emotions.
Being receptive to the team’s needs.
Ability to motivate and cooperate.
Enhance performance and results.
Does it mean that a leader always needs to be happy?
No. Emotions are part of life, and we cannot change them or avoid them. Life is ups and downs, and we cannot change that. However, what we can change is how we behave regarding emotions. For example, if you feel angry at the workplace, you can:
a) Start shouting at all your colleagues.
b) Start canceling your team’s holidays.
c) Accept your emotions and let them come and go as they are transitory without negatively or unfairly affecting others.
So, then…
It is on you what kind of example and leader you aspire to be. The past does not predict your future; what is important is what you will do now to become the type of professional you aspire to be.
Sílvia Fontquerni, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sílvia is from Barcelona currently working and living in London, UK. Her work as a coach consists of helping individuals and professionals be at their best not only at the workplace but also in personal life. She studied Psychology, Human Resources, and Coaching.
As a Life Coach, she gives support and guidance so that clients can unleash their full potential and, as a result, be able to achieve their goals: build self-confidence, overcome fears & self-limitations, gain clarity to make the right decisions, and be able to awake their inner wisdom.
As Workplace & Team Coach, she helps professionals maximize their performance and development in communication, team building/engagement, emotional intelligence, and leadership. She understands the importance of a leadership role in companies aligned with organization culture, values, and goals. Innovation and change are key to a company's success.
