Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI)—the ability to recognize and positively manage emotions in yourself and others—is a powerful component of effective leadership. Understanding and developing EI helps us understand ourselves, build and maintain strong personal and professional relationships, and effectively lead others. Going beyond the basics of emotional intelligence, we concentrate on skills to build and maintain trust, become more resilient, manage difficult interactions, enhance team performance, respond to stress and pressure more effectively, and lead for long-term results. Students improve their understanding of themselves and others, and learn how to better work with and through others to achieve organizational objectives. Throughout the course, we use a variety of readings, discussions, reflective exercises, activities, and a 360-degree emotional intelligence assessment to understand emotional intelligence, learn how to make emotions work for you rather than against you, create an environment that fosters EI, and expand leadership capacity.