Recently, I had an awesome chat with Andrea Gillespie, CPA, CHRP, CEC, and PCC, about emotions, EQ, and how crucial it is for leaders to be on top of both.
I’ve excerpted a segment of our hour-long episode for you; Andrea chats about how leaders must establish a balance between authenticity and being intentional about their communications.
The fundamental tension in practicing emotional intelligence (EQ) lies in balancing authenticity and intentionality. It involves recognizing our emotions as they arise while consciously choosing how to respond rather than solely reacting to them.
The challenge is to learn how to navigate this conflict while keeping sight of both sides.
The goal is to develop the capacity to experience emotions fully but with a level of mindfulness that allows us to choose our responses rather than being swept away by them.
This balance is crucial for effective leadership, where the ability to connect authentically with others must be matched by the responsibility to lead with empathy and foresight.
In essence, the journey toward mastering emotional intelligence is about embracing our humanity—our capacity to feel deeply and respond to the world around us—while cultivating the wisdom to manage those responses in ways that enrich rather than diminish our lives and the lives of others.
It’s a delicate balance, requiring ongoing effort, reflection, and a commitment to growth.
Keep an eye on the space for more of my conversation with Andrea.