The Secret Sauce to Connecting and Increasing Emotional Intelligence

A few years ago, a prominent senior leader shared something with me that has stuck with me ever since. He said, “I never hire anyone close to me without first taking them to lunch and observing how they treat the serving staff. How they treat the people who serve them tells me how they value others. I hire servant leaders, not self-serving leaders.”

That statement made me pause. It’s a simple test but speaks volumes about leadership and character. It also sparked an important leadership question for us all:

How do you treat the people who serve you?

Do you feel entitled or view yourself as above others?

Or do you see yourself as equal, showing genuine gratitude and graciousness?

My father used to say, “How you treat anyone is how you treat everyone.” That advice has shaped the way I lead, connect, and interact with others.

The ability to truly connect with others starts with understanding the value of people.

So what’s the secret sauce to connecting and increasing emotional intelligence?

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, wisely observed, "Those who build great companies understand that the ultimate throttle on growth for any company is not markets, or technology, or products. It is one thing above all others—your ability to connect and keep good people."

And that, dear leaders, is the secret sauce. Leadership is about connection, and emotional intelligence is the key to making those connections meaningful.

Here's to the power of your EI and meaningful connections!

–Steve

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