As a coach and psychologist, I’ve spent years helping leaders strengthen their emotional intelligence (EQ) – not just as a skill, but as a foundation for sustainable, human-centred leadership. In today’s workplace, EQ isn’t soft. It’s strategic.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence refers to our ability to recognise, understand and manage our own emotions – and to recognise, understand and influence the emotions of others. It’s not a new concept, but it has never been more relevant.

Daniel Goleman’s work remains a powerful framework, defining EQ through five core components:

  • Self-awareness: Understanding your own emotional states
  • Self-regulation: Managing those emotions effectively
  • Motivation: Driven by purpose, not just external rewards
  • Empathy: The ability to understand others’ feelings and perspectives
  • Social skills: Navigating relationships and networks with impact

These aren’t just individual traits – they’re leadership capabilities that can (and should) be developed.

Why EQ sets leaders apart

In my coaching work, one thing is clear: it’s not the smartest person in the room who builds the best team – it’s the one who listens, adapts, and connects.

Leaders with high EQ manage conflict constructively, communicate with clarity and compassion, and foster psychological safety. While IQ might get you into a leadership role, EQ is what determines how well you lead – and how deeply people trust and follow you.

EQ and Culture: Building human-centred organisations

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is watching emotionally intelligent leaders transform team cultures.

Through empathy and self-awareness, they create workplaces where people feel heard, respected and safe to speak up. Inclusivity is no longer a box-ticking exercise – it becomes embedded in how people lead, hire, communicate and collaborate.

In these cultures, innovation thrives, because employees aren’t afraid to take risks or offer bold ideas. Engagement grows, trust deepens, and performance follows naturally.

The Business Impact: Real results, not just feel-good vibes

EQ isn’t just about creating a “nice” work environment – it’s about driving results.

When I work with organisations to build EQ capacity at the leadership level, we consistently see:

  • Lower turnover
  • Stronger team cohesion
  • Better customer satisfaction
  • Faster, more collaborative decision-making
  • Fewer unresolved conflicts

Emotionally intelligent leadership contributes directly to employee well-being and business outcomes. It’s the bridge between people and performance.

 

Liz Howard is an Executive Coach, Organisational Psychologist, and Director of Up2eleven Coaching and Consulting. With 20 years’ corporate experience, she helps leaders and organisations drive growth and change through coaching, mentoring, and psychometric tools. Liz holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Coaching, a BSc in Psychology, and an MSc in Organisational Psychology.