Rewriting leadership norms: why emotional intelligence is your superpower
Let’s start with a fact: the old leadership playbook is overdue for retirement.
You know the one, where authority meant distance, vulnerability was weakness and decision-making was strictly top-down.
But today’s teams don’t want this version. They want presence. They want leaders who listen, adapt and lead with emotional intelligence (EQ), not just IQ.
Because in the workplace of now (and the future), emotional intelligence is not a ‘nice to have’ - it is a critical skill to embrace to achieve results.
It’s the difference between compliance and commitment, between performance under pressure and burnout.
Let’s align… what is emotional intelligence, really?
In simple terms, it is your ability to:
✔️ Understand and regulate your own emotions
✔️ Recognise and respond to the emotions of others
✔️ Build connection, compassion, trust and influence - even or rather especially under pressure
The leaders who master this? They drive culture change, navigate conflict with grace and bring out the best in their teams.
Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever
We are leading in a world that is constantly shifting - hybrid working, tech disruption, social and cultural change.
In this landscape, people don’t just want to ‘just work’. They want to feel:
Seen
Valued
Respected
Inspired
And empowered
And that is where emotionally intelligent leadership comes in and truly shines. It humanises leadership - without compromising performance.
It helps teams:
▪️Feel heard in the face of uncertainty
▪️Stay motivated through change
▪️Trust that leadership decisions are people-led, not just profit-led
3 ways to lead with emotional intelligence (starting now)
At High Fifteen, we work with leaders to strengthen their EQ muscle in a practical and embodied way. Here is how you can start:
1. Get curious about your emotional triggers
Great leaders are not emotionless - they are emotionally aware.
Notice when you are frustrated, disconnected or defensive. What is the real narrative/reason behind the feeling?
Ask yourself:
What am I assuming in this moment?
What emotion is present and where is it coming from?
How can I choose a response instead of reacting on autopilot?
Self-awareness is the root of self-regulation - and both are core EQ skills.
2. Build psychological safety with micro (non aggressive) behaviours
Know that, trust is not just built in team away days - it’s built in the everyday moments.
Eye contact during meetings
Active listening without interrupting
Checking in with team members beyond deadlines and to-do lists
These seemingly small actions send a signal to your team:’you matter. I’m paying attention.’
Remember that when people feel safe, they perform, innovate and collaborate at a higher level.
3. Normalise emotions in the workplace
Leadership that resonates allows space for real emotions - not just productivity updates.
That means:
✔️ Validating team members’ stress or anxiety without trying to fix it instantly
✔️ Sharing your own experiences with intention and boundaries
✔️ Encouraging honest, respectful dialogue even when it’s uncomfortable
Warning: this is NOT about oversharing - it’s about modelling emotional presence, which builds trust.
Let’s redefine what powerful leadership looks like together!
Because power isn’t just in being the smartest voice in the room.
It is in being the most emotionally attuned - the one who can listen deeply, respond wisely and lead with both head and heart.
That is the kind of leadership today’s teams are hungry for and resonate with.
That is the kind of leadership that transforms cultures into inclusive high performance ones.
Want to strengthen your emotional intelligence as a leader?
Through leadership coaching using psychometrics, High Fifteen supports leaders to lead with compassion, curiosity, purpose and power.