Emotional Intelligence and Vulnerability - How Do They Work Together?

Emotional Intelligence and Vulnerability – How Do They Work Together?

In this episode, I explore how leaders must navigate having emotional intelligence or the idea that their behaviors, emotions, and body language have an impact on others. I also explore how leaders may not like to live in the uncomfortable hard moments and immediately go to problem solving. I share personal stories demonstrating why you need both emotional intelligence and how vulnerability is part of self-awareness and helping your team feel like they belong.

Key Points

• Emotional intelligence or a self-awareness of how your emotions, facial expressions, and body language is an important leadership skill.

• Emotional intelligence does not mean leaders “put on a face” at all times that shows people that things are always okay or going well.

• Vulnerability is being open to sharing your true emotions, and in leadership roles, that can look like:

o Acknowledging how things a really are – Example: Saying things like “I can see that this is a really tough time for us.”

o Showing empathy and being compassionate for others (but this doesn’t mean you have to take on the feelings of others)

• Leaders can be self-aware, vulnerable, and find a way to move forward and figure out how things could be better, what we can improve, and what great would look like.

• Leaders are visionaries, and instead of defaulting to figuring our the next step or having “toxic positivity” when things are not okay, they can:

1) Have meaningful, safe conversations with their people.

2) Pause and listen to what is going on with their people and with themselves.

3) Acknowledge the situation with empathy and compassion for themselves and others.

4) Work with their people to take steps toward strategic solutions for things you can control with a problem solving mindset.

Resources Mentioned

“Leadership Unveiled” Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipunveiled

“KFA Consulting” Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/KFAconsulting

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