Did you know that people with emotional intelligence earn more money than people without it? According to a study involving Spanish professionals, this type of intelligence was a strong predictor of individual salary. But that isn’t it. Having it also guarantees higher employee engagement and lower turnover rates. How so? You may be wondering. Keep reading to find out.

Why Must Leaders Have Emotional Intelligence?

Leaders set the tone for a company. Their ability to collaborate with others and communicate effectively relies heavily on acquiring this type of intelligence. But, it goes beyond setting the tone for an organization.

According to a survey, more than 50% of workers in the US cite “disrespect at work” as the reason for quitting their jobs. Executive leaders without emotional intelligence are unable to gauge what their employees require. They fail to understand their needs and wants and brush the idea of having honest conversations with them.

A number of C-level recruiting companies in NY focus on seeking candidates with high emotional intelligence, especially for executive leadership roles, for 6 main reasons:

They Can Help Resolve Conflict

Leaders who understand their own motivations and feelings are also able to understand the motivations and feelings of others. This helps them respond instead of react to conflict at work without jeopardizing interpersonal relationships.

They Have Self-Awareness

Leaders with self-awareness know their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, they also recognize the importance of aligning their actions with their values. They don’t let emotions overtake their judgment and have the ability to separate biases and perceptions from reality.

They Take Ownership

A key aspect of possessing emotional intelligence (EQ) is being able to take accountability for individual behaviors. It involves taking responsibility for outcomes without placing blame or pointing fingers at other team members.

For example, Steve Jobs and his company Apple took end-to-end responsibility for the entire user experience, from the performance of microprocessors in their phones to the act of buying a phone. Every aspect of the consumer experience was tied together.

They Are Able to Reduce Workplace Stress

About 83% of workers in the US suffer from work-related stress. 25% of them acknowledge that their job is the biggest source of stress in their lives. This shows how prevalent the issue is in a typical work environment.

Any credible New York executive search firm will acknowledge that many applicants are concerned about work-related stress when applying for jobs. This calls for an even greater need to hire individuals with a high EQ.

The higher a leader’s EQ, the greater their self-confidence and empathy and the more positive their attitudes. Those with a higher EQ are also more likely to have a growth mindset which facilitates improved well-being and resilience.

They Can Motivate Others

Nothing kills an employee’s motivation more than a leader’s inability to communicate properly. Communicating effectively is not limited to simply getting your point across.

It’s also about ensuring that an employee understands what a leader wants them to do. And so, leaders with high emotional intelligence are able to get their point across, get the work done and inspire employees simultaneously.

They Can Create an Authentic Company Culture

Emotionally intelligent executive leaders know when it’s time to be candid about the struggles ahead. Moreover, they also do not hesitate to share their personal thoughts and concerns so the rest of the employees can see that they are on the same journey as them.

They’re able to set healthy boundaries within the workplace without jeopardizing the mental and physical well-being of their employees. Their ability to communicate to others that they’re just as human as them is unmatched.

How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent Leader at Work

Confront What Needs to Be Confronted

Pushing problems away due to fear of confrontation and conflict only contributes to their growth. Sometimes, they grow to the extent that even the best leaders are not able to resolve them.

As a company owner, you can hire the best New York executive search firm to attract more talent, but if you aren’t emotionally smart, you will soon drive your employees away. Being emotionally intelligent means that you are able to read early signs of issues and act accordingly.

This could mean not shying away from having difficult conversations but with empathy. This could also mean accepting judgment errors. Strong leaders are not always the most decisive ones, but they know when to confront realities, have tough conversations, and take action.

Always Side with Intellectual Reasoning

Recognize what helps you think clearly. For many, it is the habit of writing or journaling. For others, it could be something else. But, as long as something helps you reflect on your thoughts, it should be adopted. Intellectual reasoning helps keep biases at bay.

Stay Accountable

Taking accountability is the hallmark of emotional intelligence. It shows that a leader is secure within themselves even when things go wrong. So, apologize if and when needed, show up for those who need you, and use your emotional awareness to manage crucial relationships in crises.

That isn’t it. Accountability also fosters trust among employees as they’re able to have faith that their executive leader’s efforts are in their best interests. All in all, an emotionally intelligent and accountable leader has the ability to:

• Communicate
• Delegate tasks effectively
• Listen
• Take ownership of errors
• Enhance employee engagement
• Foster productivity, etc.

Is your company looking for emotionally intelligent leaders?

Hiring the right candidates for executive roles is all about having access to the C-suite level pool. As one of the best New York Executive recruitment firm, CCY offers a range of consultancy services for various organizations. At CCY, our team understands the importance of recruiting, screening, and hiring candidates with emotional intelligence, especially for executive-level roles. For more details about our services, contact executive job search NY today.