Understanding leadership development through narrative analysis of leader biographies

Abstract

Analytical skills, experience, great vision, domain knowledge, etc. are all associated with the best executives or the leaders of the organizations. But the overlooked quality which is found in most of the successful leaders is ‘Emotional Intelligence’. EI is the ability to recognize, understand, and handle your own emotions and the other people around you. For leaders, having emotional intelligence is a critical factor for success in their leadership behavior. People with emotional intelligence have a high degree of understanding of what they are feeling, what their emotions mean, and how their emotions might affect others. Think in a way: which person is more likely to be successful in his or her life, the one who shouts at their team when under stress or the one who stays in control of their emotions and take the decision very calmly by accessing the situation. A leader with a lack of emotional intelligence is not able to effectively gauge the needs, wants, and expectations of those, they lead. Reacting with erratic emotions can be dangerous for the overall culture, attitudes, and feelings towards the company. Good leaders should have emotional intelligence, some of the experts have suggested that emotional intelligence might be more important than IQ. Leaders with emotional intelligence can use emotions to drive the company forward towards success. They shall be able to provide a safer environment where employees feel comfortable to take risks, suggest ideas, and can share their opinions. According to Daniel Goleman, an American psychologist who popularizes the EI said that it consists of the five following elements.