The Summer 2014 issue of Harvard Business Review OnPoint features a selection of their best articles on “Emotional Intelligence: The Essential Ingredient to Success.” Given that this issue is on news stands now, this is a good time to remind ourselves that emotional intelligence is the pathway to success in relationships and results.
We typically think of the CEO as Chief Executive Officer. “Executive”, used in this case as an adjective meaning “having the power to put plans, actions, or laws into effect.” What is the source of power that ignites people to positive action? Because as we’ve seen in more case studies than Harvard Business Review could cover in a year’s worth of issues, not all people in positions of power are able to achieve positive results or impact through the plans they enact or the actions they take.
What is the source of power that connects people’s strengths to business purpose, inspires them to choose excellence, and sees them living out core values? Time and again we see the evidence, in our businesses, communities, and in the research that emotional intelligence is the source of that positive power. Be Chief Emotion Officer first and you have the presence that powers engagement, action, resilience, and collaboration to achieve what matters most.
To be effective with execution, we must first be effective with emotion. The good news is that emotional intelligence is a practice that anyone with a brain can develop. Hmmm, that line sounds sarcastic doesn’t it? Really though, our brains have the ability to develop and grow in emotional intelligence. As an executive coach working with individuals and teams, I find that when we get started most people believe their emotional intelligence is fixed. What we discover is that individually and collectively, everyone can grow and develop their emotional intelligence. Whether you choose to engage a coach or not, this is a practice that’s worth every leader and aspiring leader’s attention.
One of the excerpts in this issue of HBR OnPoint is Primal Leadership: the Hidden Driver of Great Performance by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee. McKee is co-founder of the Teleos Leadership Insitute with Frances Johnston. Between them they have co-authored 2 other great books on Emotional Intelligence, Renewal, and Sustaining One’s Self, Relationships, and Effectiveness over time. I recommend these books to people I work with and mentor:
- Resonant Leadership: Renewing Yourself and Connecting with Others Through Mindfulness, Hope, and Compassion
- Becoming a Resonant Leader:Develop Your Emotional Intelligence Renew Your Relationships, Sustain Your Effectiveness.