Understanding the Role of Emotion in Leadership
May 2008
A discussion of "Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence" (By Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis and Annie McKee, Harvard Business School Press, 2004)
Great leaders motivate us. They ignite our spirit and
passion and inspire us to perform at our top potential. Truly great leaders
are experts at using emotion to inspire Upward Action.
According to the authors of Primal Leadership, humankind's original leaders earned their place as leaders because they were emotionally compelling. They found that leaders who exercise primal leadership guide the emotions of those they lead in a positive (and upward) direction, bring out the very best in people and move them to accelerated success. Effective leaders are able to read the emotional landscape of others.
Dissonance, whether in music or leadership, is unpleasant and harsh sound. Dissonant leaders are disconnected from those that follow them, resulting in harsh and unpleasant outcomes.
By contrast, resonate leaders are "in tune" with the feelings of their followers and are able to move people in a positive direction. "Resonance" is natural for leaders who are emotionally intelligent.
Emotionally intelligent leaders use empathy (not sympathy) to get in touch with and maintain a connection to the "emotional registry" of the people they lead. Those that "follow" these types of leaders feel understood and that they have been heard. Emotionally intelligent leadership encourages people to share ideas, makes decisions collaboratively, experience more meaning and purpose in their work, and to get things done.
The Four Components of Emotional Intelligence
As you read about the following components, consider events and experiences in your life when you exhibited any of these four components of emotional intelligence in whole or combination. Also consider times when paid no attention to the components of emotional intelligence. Then, consider how practicing more emotional intelligence can make a difference in your professional life.
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Self-awareness
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Recognizing your emotions and their impact on your outlook and actions
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Using your intuition to guide your decisions
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Self-management
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Keeping disruptive emotions and impulses under control
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Always taking the high road and displaying honesty, integrity and trustworthiness
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Being flexible when dealing with change
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Having initiative and being ready to take advantage of opportunities
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Being driven and motivated by an internal desire for success and achievement
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Being positive and optimistic
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Being transparent regarding your motives and internal drivers
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Social awareness
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Being empathic and able to see situations from the perspective of others
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Being aware of and understanding the internal workings and politics of an organization
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the needs of both internal and external stakeholders
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Relationship management
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Having and exhibiting a compelling vision for greatness
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Guiding and coaching others to greatness; being able to develop others
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Being a catalyst for change; being able to lead others in new and perhaps untested directions
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Cultivating and maintaining relationships
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Commitment to cooperation and teamwork
Six Leadership Styles
Most leaders act in accordance with one or more of six distinct leadership styles. The first four styles listed below are reflective of emotionally intelligent and resonance leadership. The last two styles set forth below should be used sparingly and with caution.
As you read about these styles, notice which you identify with as a leader. Also, consider how you personally respond when these styles are manifested by the leaders in your life.
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Visionary: Leaders who manifest this style articulate where the team is going, but not necessarily how it will get there. People who follow visionary leaders are free to innovate, experiment and take calculated risks. Transparency and empathy are very important to the visionary leader.
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Coaching: Leaders who manifest this style helps people identify their strengths and weaknesses through a process of self-discovery, then help them design fulfilling lives based on their personal and career aspirations.
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Affiliative: Leaders who manifest this style promote harmony and foster positive and instructive interactions. This style is usually combined with the "visionary" leadership style.
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Democratic: Leaders who manifest this style rely on teamwork, collaboration, conflict management and influence. This style works best when it is imperative that you have a deeper understanding of the needs of those who follow you and when you must have "buy-in" from your constituency.
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Pacesetting (using caution when proceeding with this style): Leaders who manifest this style have very high standards for performance and are completely focused on getting things done better and faster than before. If not used carefully, this leadership style can be demoralizing to teams. This style also often results in people feeling overworked and underappreciated. Pacesetting works best when coupled with the visionary and affiliative styles of leadership.
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Commanding (should be avoided most of the time): Leaders who manifest this style demand immediate compliance without any explanation, rationale or buy-in; use lots of threats and; are experts at micro-managing. The "commanding" leadership style is only really useful when there is an emergency that must be resolved immediately. Self-awareness, emotional self-control and empathy are critical for keeping a "commanding" leadership style in check and productive for all involved.
Develop Your Personal Style and Move Into Greatness!
Now that you know the key components of emotional intelligence and you have a basic knowledge of the key leadership styles, you can develop or hone your personal leadership style in a way that is authentic to you.
When you combine knowledge with your authentic self, you are able to grow into being the powerful leader that you were created to become.
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Copyright © 2008, T.C. Coleman
About the Author:
T.C. Coleman, JD, Success Coach for Entrepreneurial Lawyers and Leaders, founder of www.upwardaction.com and creator of Social Media & Networking Success, teaches lawyers, accountants, consultants, online entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals how to build successful, profitable and sustainable businesses. For FREE business development, branding and social media strategy tips, visit www.UpwardActionForSuccess.com.