Simone Sloan: How to Lead Using Emotional Intelligence
As a leader rises within an organization, they might not realize that emotional intelligence – a level of understanding of their own and others’ emotions – can boost leadership effectiveness.
In NYWICI’s most recent Next Level You session, Founder and CEO of Your Choice Coach Simone Sloan shared what it takes to humanize your work environment and improve leadership potential through the five key components of emotional intelligence.
Self-awareness
Improving leadership effectiveness involves a recognition of who you are and how you show up with others, Sloan said. “Leaders who see themselves clearly also see their companies clearly,” she said.
Through self-awareness, Sloan urged leaders to assess and challenge their abilities and emotions to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and contribute.
Self-regulation
Disruptive impulses, like emailing after work hours, or erratic behavior, like yelling, undermines another person’s ability to trust, Sloan explained. In all situations, a leader should regulate their emotions, desires, and behaviors to build trust, engage in conflict, and maintain respect.
She challenged us by asking: “How do we suspend our judgments around certain things and situations coming up with an opportunity of curiosity and openness?”
Motivation
Sloan said motivation energizes a team’s performance ability and involves a strong drive to achieve. Leaders maintain optimism even in the face of failure and commitment to both their work and the people working alongside them.
“You’re passionate about what you do and it shows, and you love what you do. You’re not only concerned about yourself in that accountability but the people side by you,” she said.
Empathy
Considering people’s feelings in decision-making is key to building relationships and retaining talent, Sloan described, but it requires an innate ability to listen to both what is and isn’t said through empathy.
“You want to recognize and understand and appreciate how other people feel that understanding,” she said. “So when you’re making tough decisions, did you think that through in terms of the people piece and versus just looking at it from the numbers?”
Social skills
Bringing people together opens up an “inventory of strengths,” Sloan added, and opportunities for growth, relationship building and collaboration.
She advised leaders to be friendly, but “with a purpose,” and move from a “me” to “we” perspective to understand where inequities may exist and motivate others.
In navigating your own emotional intelligence, Sloan encouraged recognizing your personal qualities, being confident in your abilities, and assessing how they make leadership effective.
“Think about all the things that you can control, and what you can control are all around the emotional intelligence,” Sloan advised. “What you cannot control are how people react to you, but you need to be authentic in who you are and how you want to navigate those spaces.”
To find upcoming Next Level You sessions and other events, visit NYWICI’s events page here.
Written by Lilli Iannella, 2023 Scholarship Winner
