By: Lindsay Zubek
Whether you’re leading a team at work, coaching athletes, or parenting through life’s daily chaos, understanding and managing emotions is a vital leadership skill. Your emotional intelligence influences how you communicate, make decisions, and build relationships, making emotional mastery a leadership superpower.
Emotional Intelligence: A Leadership Superpower
Research in psychology and neuroscience consistently shows that emotions are central to decision-making. Antonio Damasio’s groundbreaking work reveals that emotions are critical performance drivers, while Daniel Goleman’s emotional intelligence (EQ) framework emphasizes that the most successful leaders are those who can understand, manage, and harness emotions—both their own and others’.
At Plum Leadership Group, we use the EQ-i 2.0® Emotional Intelligence Assessment—a science-based tool that evaluates emotional self-awareness, impulse control, empathy, and interpersonal relationships. These core skills are essential for effective leadership, coaching, and parenting, helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential.
The “Mountain of Emotion” Effect: How Emotions Impact Leadership
When we’re triggered by stress, disappointment, or excitement, we often ascend what’s known as the “mountain of emotion.” In these moments, the brain’s amygdala takes control, clouding our ability to reflect, communicate, and solve problems effectively. The emotional state of a leader directly influences the emotional climate of their team or family. Leaders, coaches, and parents set the emotional tone, and this tone is contagious.
Mastering emotional regulation is key to fostering trust, performance, and healthy relationships, whether you’re in the boardroom, on the field, or at home.
A Practical Tip for Leaders: Name It to Tame It
One simple, effective strategy to manage emotions is to “Name it to tame it.” When an emotional surge occurs, take a moment to label the emotion you’re experiencing—whether it’s frustration, excitement, or anxiety. This practice engages your brain’s executive functions, reducing emotional intensity and giving you the clarity to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
This strategy builds emotional awareness—a vital component of the EQ-i 2.0 assessment—and is a key skill we develop in our emotional intelligence coaching programs.
Turning Insight into Action: Leadership Development with Plum Leadership Group
At Plum Leadership Group, we specialize in helping leaders and professionals build emotional intelligence. Through our customized coaching engagements, including the EQ-i 2.0 profile and 360 review, we identify growth areas and blind spots that lay the foundation for lasting transformation. Our executive coaching and leadership development programs equip leaders with the tools to enhance communication, emotional agility, and leadership impact.
By cultivating emotional intelligence, leaders can improve their decision-making, strengthen relationships, and elevate their performance, whether they are managing a team, coaching athletes, or navigating the challenges of parenthood.
