How to Build Emotional Intelligence as a Leader

Why Emotional Intelligence is Essential

Many organizations dismiss EI because they don’t see an immediate return on investment. They assume it’s not directly tied to profits, retention, or productivity. But this mindset leads to disengagement, team conflicts, and, eventually, a weaker bottom line.

Here’s why emotional intelligence should be a leadership priority:
✅ Employee Engagement – Teams perform better when they feel heard, respected, and valued.
✅ Stronger Collaboration – Open communication fosters better problem-solving and teamwork.
✅ Higher Retention – Employees stay longer in workplaces prioritizing a healthy culture.
✅ Better Decision-Making – Leaders who regulate emotions think critically under pressure.

Ignoring emotional intelligence leads to quiet quitting—where employees disengage, do the bare minimum, and eventually leave. High achievers pick up the slack, get burnt out, and the cycle continues.

How to Build Emotional Intelligence

1. Start With Self-Awareness

Before you can lead others effectively, you need to understand your own emotions. Ask yourself:
✔ How do I react under pressure?
✔ Do I listen actively or just wait to speak?
✔ How do my emotions affect my decision-making?

Self-awareness allows leaders to manage stress, respond instead of react, and show up as a stable presence for their teams.

2. Improve Emotional Regulation

Regulating emotions doesn’t mean ignoring them. It means managing them productively.

⚡ Instead of reacting with frustration → Pause and reflect before responding.
⚡ Instead of shutting down emotions → Acknowledge them, but focus on solutions.
⚡ Instead of dismissing team concerns → Encourage open dialogue and problem-solving.

Dysregulated leaders create chaos. Regulated leaders create stability.

3. Foster Open Communication

Strong leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about building trust. Employees need to feel safe bringing up ideas, challenges, and feedback.

How to foster a culture of open communication:
💬 Ask open-ended questions: “Tell me what’s working and what’s not.”
👂 Listen actively: Make eye contact, take notes, and follow up.
🙌 Encourage input: Employees closest to the work often have the best solutions.

4. Address Conflict with Emotional Intelligence

Every workplace has conflict. The difference is in how it’s handled. Poorly managed conflict leads to resentment and disengagement, while EI-driven conflict resolution strengthens teams.

Best practices for handling workplace conflicts:

• Stay calm and neutral. Don’t escalate emotions.

• Focus on solutions, not blame. Reframe the conversation around moving forward.

• Address issues privately when possible. Public call-outs create defensiveness.

• Model respect. If you expect professionalism, lead by example.

5. Model Emotional Intelligence for Your Team

One of the best ways to influence company culture is to lead by example. Whether you’re an executive or a mid-level manager, you can set the tone for how emotions are handled at work.

🏆 Regulate your own emotions first.
🏆 Acknowledge others’ perspectives, even if you disagree.
🏆 Encourage a culture of learning, not blame.
🏆 Give and receive feedback with humility.

If you model emotional intelligence, your team will follow.

The Future of Leadership is Emotionally Intelligent

Leaders who continue to rely on outdated, authoritative, emotionless management styles will struggle in the evolving workplace. Employees today demand engagement, respect, and psychological safety—and companies that fail to adapt will see high turnover, low morale, and financial losses.

The choice is simple: Leaders can either invest in emotional intelligence now or pay the price later.

Jaime Bancroft-Gennaro helps leaders and entrepreneurs grow sustainable, purpose-driven businesses with clarity, strategy, and human-centered leadership. As a business coach, consultant, and author, Jaime is passionate about guiding professionals to scale their businesses with intention—without burnout. With a background in high-growth companies and leadership development, Jaime specializes in aligning vision with actionable strategies that drive meaningful, lasting success.

As the host of Business for Humans, Jaime Bancroft Gennaro shares insights on leadership, business growth, and personal development. Jaime’s upcoming book, Grounded: A 30-Day Guide to Feeling Whole Again, serves as a roadmap for leaders and professionals looking to reconnect with their purpose, prevent burnout, and build momentum in their careers and businesses.

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