Emotional Intelligence, again!

More about the new Leadership Mindset in 2026: it’s long been known that emotional intelligence (EQ) is a well-studied predictor and enabler of effective leadership and team performance — not just a “soft skill.” It just seems like it’s more important now than ever. And even after all these years that we’ve been talking about it, some leaders are still struggling with how to get better at it, or even know that it’s important to get better at!

When I coached leaders this last year, the focus was rarely on task execution. Most leaders already know what to do. The real challenge is navigating uncertainty, emotional reactions to change, cross-functional conflict, and rising levels of stress and burnout.
Leaders with strong Emotional Intelligence:
–          regulate themselves before they lead others
–          listen for emotion, not just content
–          respond, rather than react
And that isn’t easy to do considering the stress most leaders are under these days! And so coaching leaders for better emotional intelligence starts with helping them become aware of how they show up under all this pressure. We explore what triggers defensiveness, impatience, or withdrawal—and how those reactions affect trust and decision-making.
When leaders begin to slow down and become intentional in their conversations with their people (less reaction and more real listening), motivation improves, conflict becomes productive, and people feel safer to speak honestly.
(When was the last time you asked your team how your leadership style impacts their work?)
In today’s workplace, emotional intelligence is not optional. It’s an essential leadership operating system.