The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Senior Management Leadership

 

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Senior Management Leadership

A. Author’s “Attitude” and “Takeaways”

In the research article “Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: A Study of Senior Level Managers” by Gardner and Stough, the authors exhibit a positive and supportive attitude towards the significance of emotional intelligence (EI) in senior management leadership. The key takeaways from the article include highlighting the correlation between emotional intelligence and effective leadership at the senior management level, the impact of emotional intelligence on decision-making and team dynamics, and the potential for emotional intelligence development through targeted interventions and training.

B. The Critical Need for High Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Roles

Based on the study of EI and its application in senior management leadership, it is evident that the authors have properly emphasized the critical need for high Emotional Intelligence in leadership roles today for competitive success. This assertion is supported by various assigned EI expert sources:

Goleman’s Research: Daniel Goleman’s extensive research on emotional intelligence emphasizes its pivotal role in leadership effectiveness. He argues that leaders with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to navigate complex business environments, build cohesive teams, and drive organizational success.

Mayer and Salovey’s Model: Peter Salovey and John Mayer’s model of emotional intelligence underscores the importance of understanding and managing emotions in oneself and others, which is essential for effective leadership at senior levels.

Bar-On’s EQ-I Model: Reuven Bar-On’s EQ-i model highlights the impact of emotional intelligence competencies, such as empathy, interpersonal relationships, and stress management, on senior leadership effectiveness.

Brackett’s RULER Approach: Marc Brackett’s RULER approach emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in promoting a positive organizational climate, fostering collaboration, and enhancing decision-making among senior leaders.

Sternberg’s Triarchic Model: Robert Sternberg’s triarchic model of intelligence underscores the practical intelligence component, which encompasses adaptability and success in real-world contexts. This aligns with the argument that high emotional intelligence is critical for senior leaders to navigate challenges and drive competitive success.

Moreover, specific examples from the research article illustrate how senior managers with high emotional intelligence exhibit enhanced communication skills, empathy, and the ability to inspire and motivate their teams. The findings underscore the positive impact of emotional intelligence on leadership effectiveness and organizational outcomes.

C. Positive Impact of Dismantling EI Interferences

Reflecting on my highest EI interferences areas evident from the “Conditions of Worth” survey, dismantling these interferences would yield significant positive impacts both personally and professionally.

Personal Impact:

Enhanced Self-awareness: Overcoming EI interferences would lead to heightened self-awareness, enabling me to understand my emotions and responses more effectively in personal relationships.
Improved Conflict Resolution: By developing higher EI competency, I would be better equipped to manage conflicts and disagreements in personal interactions with greater emotional regulation.

Professional Impact:

Inspirational Leadership: Dismantling EI interferences would allow me to lead with authenticity and empathy, inspiring and motivating my team members to achieve their best performance.
Effective Decision-Making: Higher EI competency would enable me to make well-informed decisions by considering emotional factors and understanding the perspectives of stakeholders in professional settings.

In summary, the research supports the critical need for high Emotional Intelligence in senior management leadership for competitive success. By addressing EI interferences, individuals can enhance their personal and professional relationships, lead with authenticity, and make informed decisions based on emotional insights.