The #1 Ability for Leaders
The Hidden Power of Emotional Intelligence
Most leaders think the game is about planning, strategy, execution.
And sure - those matter.
But once you’re in the room with other high performers,
everyone’s already smart.
What separates the great from the good?
The ability to manage yourself and understand others.
Why Smart People Hit Glass Ceilings
You know the pattern.
The brilliant engineer who can't lead a team.
The straight-A student who crumbles under workplace pressure.
The tech genius who can't communicate with customers.
Being smart helps you solve problems. It doesn't help you inspire people.
Think of your worst boss. Did they fail because they lacked knowledge? Or because they lacked people skills?
Now think of your best boss. What made them special wasn't what they knew - it was how they made you feel.
That's emotional intelligence in action.
The Magic of a Bus Driver
A New York City bus driver changed lives every day.
It was a hot, grumpy day.
Everyone silent. Bothered.
But the driver greeted each person with warmth.
Gave directions. Cracked jokes. Pointed out museum exhibits.
By the time passengers left, they were smiling.
Was he just friendly? No.
He had mastered emotional intelligence.
The driver received 3,000 thank-you letters. People waited for his bus even when others came first.
His secret? He saw passengers as his "flock." He was also a pastor who brought purpose to a simple job.
He didn’t just drive.
He led.
EQ Can Be Learned
Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence is trainable.
Begin with these:
Pause before responding when triggered
Name your emotions with precision (not just "fine" or "upset")
Ask questions instead of assuming
Truly listen without planning your next words
Notice how your presence affects the room's energy
It’s not easy.
It takes rewiring habits, one small change at a time.
But the return?
Stronger teams.
Better decisions.
And a life that impacts others, not just profits.
Final Thought
The best leaders don’t just lead with their heads.
They lead with their hearts - and train their teams to do the same.
Because in the end…
People forget what you said.
People forget what you did.
But they never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
One common saying is that when people leave companies, they're not really leaving the job but more times than not they are actually leaving a manager they had a bad experience with. The way your leaders make you feel is everything.