Unlock Your Potential Developing Emotional Intelligence ft. Susan Schwartz
Managers are rarely hired simply because they’re great leaders. Often they’re promoted for their technical skills, regardless of their personal skills – or lack thereof!
We have all had this type of manager. They struggle to build strong, diverse teams and retain good staff because they lack emotional intelligence.
In this podcast, Elise Stevens speaks with Susan Schwartz about why we should all be developing our emotional intelligence.
Susan explains why getting a grip on our emotions is a critical part of strong leadership and an investment in our careers.
Points raised in this podcast:
- Emotional intelligence means learning to recognise, understand and manage our emotions and the emotions of others in positive ways. It is about balance, behaviour and choices.
- Emotional intelligence can help you move forward in your career. Many top-level executives credit their success to emotional intelligence.
- The old adage “it’s not personal, it’s business” is untrue. Business is inherently personal, centred around relationships and communication.
- Managers are often hired because of their technical skills, rather than their personal or human skills. They will sometimes fall into the trap of building a team of their own clones rather than finding strength in diversity.
- A sports team has players of different strengths and a business team should be the same.
- Strong leaders bring people together, regardless of their gender, race, culture, working style or communication style.
- You can become more emotionally intelligent by being present with the people around you, paying attention and recognising their strengths, vulnerabilities and motivations.
- Your behaviour is the only behaviour you can control. When you can identify triggers for your anger or impatience, you can choose how to react positively.
About Susan Schwartz:
Susan helps subject-matter experts transitioning into leadership roles to hone their communication and relationship-building skills, enabling them to become world-class managers. She has led a variety of corporate and government teams through organisational change and technology transformation. Her change toolbox combines Emotional Intelligence, Lego Serious Play, and knowledge sharing methods.