In the context of emotional intelligence, being independent means that a leader is capable of feeling, thinking, and working on his/her own. Leaders that exhibit strength in this area welcome or request guidance from others, but usually make the ultimate decision. They also accept responsibility for their decisions and mistakes, and acknowledge that people will [...]
Leaders need more than just problem-solving skills, they need to work with problems where emotions are involved and recognize how their emotions impact their decisiveness. Leaders with strong problem solving abilities tackle problems head on without being distracted by their emotions. If this is a strength, you likely approach problem solving with logic and gather [...]
Impulse Control is the ability to show restraint in the face of impulses and temptations to act. Leaders with high impulse control think before acting, which puts people at ease and promotes a feeling that the leader’s behavior and mood are easily predictable. This results in open and honest communication. Leaders with strong impulse control remain [...]
I remember the time a senior leader said something during a small group conversation that motivated me to ask if he had an alter ego. He enthusiastically answered “Yes!” He then shared that he calls his alter ego Nomar, which is his first name spelled backwards. As he talked about Nomar's persona, we discovered another dimension of [...]
As much as we all absolutely hate to be judged and evaluated by others, at some point we have all done just that to someone else. Even if we don’t speak the words going through our heads, our thoughts can be felt. A person’s view of the world may not be the same as yours due to their [...]
The quality of a leader’s personal relationships (with family and friends) is indicative of his/her ability to form professional relationships that drive team performance, and stimulate collaboration and innovation among peers, key stakeholders, and co-workers. As you read this article, think about a personal relationship that requires your attention or needs healing. What is a [...]
Leaders often feel compelled to take on a great deal of responsibility to achieve the strategic vision of the organization. Moving into the new year, try harnessing the power of delegation to lighten the load. Is it possible to assign tasks to your team to help lessen the burden of competing priorities and deadlines? Can [...]
Ideally, optimism is rooted in rational thought and logic. As you move into the New Year with positive thoughts about what's possible, check to ensure that your optimism is appropriately grounded. Consider asking for feedback on your goals to ensure that they are realistic; reflect on past successes and the strategies you used to achieve [...]
When pressure mounts, leaders often focus their priority on achievement and neglect their well-being. Be kind to yourself. Use meditation and exercise to boost your stress tolerance and your optimism. Both will help you focus, manage your energy, and handle competing priorities. I often recommend the CALM app, which provides guided mediation sessions in as [...]
Work is an essential component for leaders in every organization. However, work should not consistently over shadow other aspects of a leader's life. We are only capable of taking on so much before physical and emotional resources are depleted. The more responsibility a leader shoulders the more important it is to pay attention to one's emotional reactions to daily [...]
