Can emotional intelligence help leaders in decision-making?
Can emotional intelligence help leaders in decision-making?
May 25th wasn’t a happy day for some children and families in Uvalde, Texas. Twenty-one people including 2 teachers and 19 students were gunned down at Robb Elementary School by an 18-year-old young man.
The gunman had locked himself inside and began shooting shortly after 11:30 am. The policemen arrived but at the scene but held off for more than one hour as ordered by the commander, as they listened to sporadic gunfire behind the door.
At about 12:50 pm, specially trained officers from the border patrol opened the locked doors and fired 27times inside the classroom, bringing down the gunman.
Steven C. Mc Craw, the director of the state police said it was the wrong decision to have held back. Possibilities have been raised that had the police done more and moved faster, not all of those who died would have lost their lives. Investigations are still ongoing. (https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-school-shooting-politics-texas-shootings-56a4d01fb1cda19947db89fcb6bd85fd)
Daily, global leaders all over the world, from all walks of life are faced with the challenge of taking difficult decisions. Sometimes, these decisions carry a huge impact on human lives and properties, can avert or bring-on national crisis, can avert or fan the ambers of global peace and wars, climate change, and much more. The magnitude and consequences of such decisions are sometimes enormous, putting leaders and systems under pressure. Can emotional intelligence help leaders in decision-making?
What is emotional intelligence and how useful is it for leadership?
Leaders with emotional intelligence are better able to make difficult decisions, resolve conflict effectively and adapt to changing goals and circumstances. Emotional intelligent leaders have the ability to understand changes in the emotional atmosphere around them given prevailing circumstances and they use this to positively influence outcomes.
5 Skills Sets of Emotional Intelligence
– Decision Making
Am I able to take decisions in a timely manner or do I linger too long, keeping things open? Do I make decisions for the overall good of my team?
-Stress management
How do I act when I am under a lot of pressure? Can I handle pressure or do I respond negatively to pressure?
-Interpersonal
Do I have the ability to empathize with others and understand their emotions? Do I communicate effectively with my team members and inspire them? How good are my social skills and social awareness?
-Self-Perception
Do I understand my emotions, strengths, and weaknesses? To get the most out of others, you must be able to get the most out of yourself.
-Self-Regulation
Am I able to manage my emotions, bring them under control and maintain a biased-free positive outlook despite whatever obstacles I and my team run into?
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Photo Credit: AP News (Elena Mendoza, 18 grieves her cousin Amerie Jo Garza, one of the victims killed in the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas)
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