Why is Emotional Intelligence Needed in Leadership?
Years ago, Daniel Goleman, in an interview with Harvard Business Review, underscored the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in leadership as follows:
The most effective leaders are all alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence. It’s not that IQ and technical skills are irrelevant. They do matter, but...they are the entry-level requirements for executive positions.
Within recent years, EQ has been regarded as one of the most critical competencies in leadership. Various research has demonstrated a profound correlation between EQ and the success of both individual managers and the organizations they lead. Specifically:
An article in Harvard Business Review revealed that EQ had been proven to account for up to 90% of the factors associated with enhanced work performance among professionals with comparable technical expertise.
A survey conducted by CareerBuilder found that 71% of employers prioritize EQ over IQ. The reason is that those with elevated emotional intelligence generally exhibit greater resilience under pressure, which makes them excel in conflict resolution, and demonstrate empathy towards their colleagues.
Research conducted by TalentSmart unequivocally stated that emotional intelligence is the single most influential factor in overall performance.