Emotional Intelligence as a leadership, management tool

In the next month I will be conducting three management retreats on "Emotionally Intelligent Management," and the preparation is stirring up a lot of old and new insights about leadership and management.

For those who are not familiar with Emotional Intelligence (or EQ) as it's referred to, here's a brief introduction. Emotional intelligence is one of the many intelligences described by Howard Gardner in the last quarter of the last century. It is not the same as I.Q. or emotional intelligence. In fact, far from it as EQ obviously deals with emotions and feelings, not intellect. However, there are definite crossovers which I'll address in later posts. For now suffice it to say that IQ is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the way we relate to other people. EQ is the hidden part of the iceberg and it is gigantic.

Why "emotionally intelligent management?" Peter Drucker, the internationally renowned and brilliant management guru said, "Management IS relationships--upwards, downwards, sideways." (emphasis mine) After 30 years managing people in various settings, I couldn't agree more. Think about it. How could you manage anyone if you didn't have at least a partially positive relationship with them. The answer is that you could not.

So what does that have to do with emotional intelligence. Improving your EQ is the most effective way to build, improve and maintain positive relationships! It's the key to effective management and a growing body of research agrees. In other words, can you afford not to know about EQ and to practice it?

Don't need yet another management fad? This is neither a fad nor a new management philosophy. Emotionally intelligent management is a way of thinking and living that can make the difference between a manager's success or failure, whether a manager becomes a successful leader or not--and whether anything gets accomplished towards the bottom line. The research show that the bottom line is dramatically improved with an increase in emotional intelligence of the employees! It is not some "touchy-feely" solution of the month. It works.

How do I know? In my intensive training as a professional coach, I learned that the intuitive practices I had been using as a part of my management style for many years embrace most of the EQ concepts. I just didn't know it had a name. For most of my career I was a "coaching manager/leader!." On my website, www.coachjudynelson.com, you will see a long list of testimonials from the people I have managed and coached. I have had the great pleasure of watching these and many others grow and develop, in part because of the emotionally intelligent management techniques that I was using. Would they have been successful without me? No doubt. But I believe all of them will tell you that they are much more successful now that they are more in charge of their emotions.

Before going any deeper, here are the four basic elements that constitute E.Q.: self-awareness or insight; self-management; social awareness or empathy; and, the point of it all--relationship management. Next time I will begin to define each of the four elements of emotional intelligence with some poignant, funny and powerful examples of how it works--or doesn't.

In the meantime, don't forget to tune into my web radio interview show for executives and managers every Saturday morning, 9:30-9:45 PST to hear some very bright and interesting people share their views on "what makes the world and organizations tick!" www.blogtalkradio/coachjudynelson

Finally, if you or someone you know is interested in executive coaching, please visit my website, www.coachjudynelson.com and contact me. Doing this could shorten the distance between you and the ultimate success you are striving for.

Judy

New Beginnings for Emerging Leaders

Well, it's been over nine months since my last post. I've been busy carefully crafting trainings in effective people development, expanding my coaching practice and enjoying life life I never knew was possible. In addition, I have a new web radio interview show that is adding to the joy of being an executive coach. More about that later!

From now on, I expect this to be a daily post, my first task each morning. While my goal is to share some of the wisdom I've gained over the years, it will also be a great way for me to start the day.

To be continued!

Judy