High EQ (emotional intelligence) Lashing

By now, if you have been following my blog, you will have noticed that I have a problem with low EQ leadership. I.e. bully bosses. Or in general if people treat others around them badly. I actually want to loose it! But I won’t… That’s bad EQ management 🙂

I have always had a problem with it. Especially when I entered the job market as a junior person and noticed the way some leadership treat their subordinates. I was 19 years old and got myself into a lot of trouble standing up for people. I didn’t mind, I kept doing it and I will keep doing it. Part of Magneto Strategics business is to help people suffering under a low EQ (emotionally intelligent) leader.

The golden rule is: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. It is a sound principal. Why then do I see so many – especially in corporate companies – that can’t manage the basics? Even worse, why does the top leadership allow this? It is by no means ethical. I have worked for high EQ companies and I have created my own. I know it is possible and by no means difficult to do. It is actually a lot of fun and less effort than this wallowing people do. Please don’t misunderstand me, I know all to well all the psychological reasons as to why people behave in this manner. What baffles me is even though they know it is not ethical, they will continue! They do this in the hope of getting better results even though they see that their results with people stay poor. Enter the definition of insanity: ‘To do the same thing repeatedly but expecting a different result’. So what do they have to do to get different results? Here are the things that characterize high EQ leadership:

1. People First

Any high EQ leader worth their salt will let you know that it’s not about you, it’s about your people. End of story. A high EQ leader will make sure that his/her team crosses the finish line together. The picture does not look like this: ‘Big Dog’ personality type striding into the boardroom with glinting smile. Following hot on his heels, scraggly looking frightened pups doing obeseness with files and paperwork dropping out of their hands. Please pay attention the next time you see a known low emotionally intelligent leader enter the boardroom with an announcement…

2. Humility

This is the hallmark of a pure bread high EQ leader. When everybody showers them with praise, they will redirect that praise to their team. Contrary to belief, humility is by no means a show of weakness. Humility has an underlying strength of steel. It takes great courage to be humble.

3. Humanity

High EQ leaders are care givers. They make sure each individual on their team is validated, is made to feel wanted and valuable. Drawing on their strengths and assisting them in their weaknesses.

4. Listening

There is an Afrikaans saying, when loosely translated sounds like this: You have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice but only speak once. Truly great leaders know how to listen and hear their people.

The low EQ leader and his/her team stand no chance against a high EQ leader and their team operating in this manner. It breeds a fierce loyalty with a high EQ leader’s team and will out perform any low EQ leader and team by at least 40% should you measure their productivity. That is a lashing of note! So then what are low EQ leaders costing you? Go to my blog on PART 1: What are low EQ leaders costing you?

The same is true for high EQ individuals, their success rate with people is astounding on many levels. It is completely unnecessary for anybody to have a low EQ. It is a skill that can be learnt and grown. Why people choose to – because it is a choice – operate on low EQ goes beyond me.

If you have a high EQ company and high EQ leaders, please let me know? I would like to feature you in my blog as a good example to all! Also please leave your comments below, I would love to hear from you.

As always

Grow & Prosper

Suzy Wilson