Are you aware of what motivates you at work? Do you display the flexibility to use the six leadership styles Visionary, Affiliative, Participative, Coaching, Pacesetting, and Directive described by the Hay Group research?
Emotionally intelligent leaders are aware of their inner motivations. Are you aware of what motivates you? Do you engage and inspire others at work to do their best?
What motivates emotionally intelligent leaders to do what they do? Do you know what the climate is like in your organization and what styles of leadership you tend to use. In order to get the most out of your team, you need to understand what drives you towards those styles. You need to start asking, why do I behave in that way?
According to the Hay Group, the most important factor in determining why you behave in certain ways is the set of characteristics, or competencies, you have. For example, one deep-seated, underlying characteristic that affects behavior is something the Hay Group calls ‘motive disposition’. Understanding your inner drives, or motives, allows you to predict, monitor, and manage your behavior. Developing your conscious ability to manage what may come naturally to you, and choosing the appropriate leadership style, allows you to deal effectively with different situations.
Are You an Emotionally Intelligent Leader?
Your Emotional Intelligence is a combination of skills, or competencies, that make you an effective leader. EQ pioneer, Daniel Goleman, captured the essence of Emotional Intelligence by stressing the importance of four areas:
Self-Awareness:
Knowing your emotions and their effects. Being confident in your abilities – and knowing their limits.
Self-Management:
Knowing how to manage your emotions, how to keep disruptive impulses in check and stay poised and positive, even in difficult situations.
Social Awareness:
Being sensitive – and responsive – to other people’s feelings, needs and requirements. Reading the mood of a group.
Relationship Management: An ability to influence others,handle conflict, develop, lead and work with others.
These are the attitudes and behaviors that leaders need to demonstrate. They go beyond the traditional focus on academic qualifications, technical skills and experience. More importantly, you can change and develop your leadership competencies – build on your strengths and improve on your weaknesses.
What are your strongest leadership competencies?
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