Emotional Intelligence the holy grail of the future

Emotional Intelligence….. don't get out of bed without it.

In anything you do, whether it's building a business or building a career, it’s so important to have an understanding of one’s liabilities and assets as a person.

Whether it’s picking a business partner, a CEO, hiring employees or building an effective board, if you don't have a basic understanding of what kind of a personality you have formed, the traits that are your liability, you’re going to eventually get into trouble.

"Ceos are hired for there intellect and business expertise and fired for their lack of emotional intelligence" Daniel Goleman

As a business owner you are forced into change, the company growth will demand it of you, be it your attitude, reactions, work ethic or situations, you will be the make or break of your company in the early years.

But what is so often overlooked is the most critical and the most damaging aspect of any company growth, individual career progression, even marriage; is lack of emotional Intelligence, at some point it will catch you out. It’s vital this is implemented, as part of your daily routine, sooner rather than too late..

Some people have it naturally, rather like those who are good at languages or music. We don't need music or necessarily a language to build a successful company or move forward in our career, however, at some point if we don't build a good understanding of ourselves and the why of others, we will eventually hit a lonely wall. We must learn to grow in honesty (honesty is critical) appraise ourselves, as we climb up the business ladder or progress the company to the next level, if we don’t its very likely going to be your nemesis.

So what is Emotional Intelligence?

It is the mastering of ones emotions, that frees a person to develop an instinctive understanding, a second sight of what path needs to be taken, even if there is no evidence to support the reason behind that choice, you just know. An emotional intuition.

So how do we develop our emotional intelligence?

Start with an open mind.

As business people we are taught to follow rules, processes, rely on tried and tested protocol. We are all inundated by self help books, business growth strategies- all valuable forms of learning, but all of which is external knowledge. 

What if the greatest asset you have when faced with critical decision or major company/career crisis was already within; a gut feeling.

When we rely on all of the above, our Intuitive understanding and gut voice will fade, why? because all of the above is information for our brain…..not our other brain…our gut intuition. If it helps you, name it.

We must learn to master our emotions, observe, acknowledge, and rise above them, create clarity to hear, see, listen to what we would otherwise miss.

If you’re prone to anger, resentment, you’re go to is; blame, ask yourself has it helped you this past 10, 20, 30, 40 years? I already know the answer.

“We are dangerous when we are not conscious of our responsibility for how we behave, think, and feel” Marshall B Rosenberg.

Why do we need to develop our Emotional intelligence?

Think of a formula 1 racing car, if its to win, it can’t have any drag, the car will need to be in peak condition regular spot checks, its engine cleaned, well oiled, wheels in good order. 

It’s built to win, it gets primed to peak performance, anything that could cause a crash or compromise agility: liability will be removed. 

That racing car is the company or role we hold, we will only get out of anything the amount of effort, dedication or energy we put into it, but to be the driver of that car and win: split second instinctive response, total trust in that other brain the gut instinct of Emotional Intelligence.

“With your mind power, your determination and your instinct and the very experience as well, you can fly very high.” Aryton Senna. 

We are the same, in business, we need it all. 

I have lost count of the number of business partnerships or companies that have failed to thrive due to lack of Emotional Intelligence somewhere, or the amount needed to scale the company to the next level.

“Emotional intelligence more than any other factor, more than I.Q. or expertise, accounts for 85% to 90% of success at work… I.Q is a threshold competence. You need it, but it doesnt make you a star. Emotional intelligence can” Warren G Bennis.

For me, there isn't a day that goes by, each morning, years on, that I don't give myself a silent appraisal. A process I follow, cultivated from years of experience. 

Just like a mechanic on a car engine, it’s not a negative exercise Its the smartest most sensible foresight I can give myself. 

If anything in this article resonates come and talk to me.

Written by Rosamond Stenhouse 

Edited by Catherine Hembry