Are you harnessing the power of emotional intelligence to elevate your leadership impact?
As the final session of GoodMorning BSN! for 2024 concluded, the spotlight was on a critical topic for modern leaders: The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership. Led by Dr. Olajumoke Aleoke-Malachi, an esteemed HR professional and alumna of Business School Netherlands, and enriched by reflections from Bolurinwa Areola, CEO of Thrixes Technologies, this session left attendees with actionable insights to shape their leadership journeys.
Emotional Intelligence: More Than a Buzzword
Dr. Aleoke-Malachi began with a powerful assertion: “Technical competence can get you the job, but emotional intelligence will help you scale, grow, and inspire.” Emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) is more than just managing emotions; it is about integrating self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management into your daily interactions. These elements create a framework for effective decision-making, team collaboration, and cultural transformation.
Self-awareness and self-management
According to Dr. Aleoke-Malachi, understanding your emotions and regulating them is foundational. Leaders who are self-aware exhibit confidence and humility, enabling them to inspire trust without intimidation. Self-management, on the other hand, involves discipline—whether it’s setting reminders to take care of personal well-being or holding oneself accountable for professional commitments.
Social awareness and relationship management
Leaders must empathise with others and create environments where people feel valued. Dr. Aleoke-Malachi highlighted that building strong relationships isn’t about being “nice” but about being kind and holding others accountable with respect and clarity.
Emotional Intelligence in Action
One memorable takeaway from the session was Dr. Aleoke-Malachi’s perspective on balancing logic and emotion in leadership. “You cannot be all logic, and you cannot be all emotion,” she emphasised, pointing out that effective leaders know when to adapt to either side depending on the context.
Similarly, Areola shared insights from his leadership experiences, highlighting the importance of active listening and self-reflection. He stated, “As a leader, what you don’t have, you can’t give. Self-awareness and continual improvement are non-negotiable.”
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters
Both presenters agreed that emotional intelligence is essential for navigating the complexities of modern workplaces. Leaders with EQ excel in:
- Motivating teams: They inspire trust and bring out the best in their people.
- Managing conflict: By fostering collaboration and empathy, they create harmony even in challenging situations.
- Driving organisational success: They influence culture by modelling behaviours such as respect, open communication, and inclusivity.
Looking Ahead
As the session wrapped up, Dr. Aleoke-Malachi left attendees with a simple yet profound challenge: “How deliberate are you about being smart with your feelings?” This reflection underscores the essence of responsible leadership—one rooted in empathy, adaptability, and authenticity.
As GoodMorning BSN! takes a break for the holidays, the focus on emotional intelligence offers a fitting conclusion to 2024, setting the stage for a new year of impactful leadership.
By mastering emotional intelligence, leaders can inspire trust, enhance team performance, and drive sustainable success.
GoodMorning BSN! will return on 14 January 2025. Stay tuned for more leadership insights!
