In leadership and in life, rock-solid interpersonal skills are the foundational key to success and fulfillment.  The ultimate contribution of a leader will always be judged in How they went about it.  The How embraces not only the values espoused, but the way in which the leader actually shows up in relation to his or her various constituents.

 

Technical skills often set an individual apart in the early stages of a career, but they can only take one so far.  As an individual  moves up in an organization, the value of those technical skills becomes balanced with the need for stronger emotional intelligence.  Success or failure often hinges on the ability to harness these skills.  In fact, our experience has shown more leaders are “sent” for coaching in this area than for any other.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) combines understanding one’s self (goals, intentions, responses, and behavior) with understanding others.  It involves:

 

 

EQ cannot be “taught” in the same way as technical skills.   At JEA, we begin by evaluating the individual’s skill level in each area using 360 feedback tools, personality inventories, and direct observation.  We then use guided, interpersonal exercises to help our clients tap into and refine their interpersonal skills.

 "Emotional Intelligence emerges as a much stronger predictor of who will be most successful, because it is how we handle ourselves in our relationships that determines how well we do once we are in a given job.”

 

-  Daniel Goleman