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Thriving in Disruption: The Six Leadership Priorities for 2025 - 2. The New Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Thriving in Disruption: The Six Leadership Priorities for 2025 - 2. The New Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Emotional intelligence is becoming a defining skill for leaders in an era of rapid workplace change. By recognising and managing emotions with intention, leaders can strengthen team cohesion, elevate morale, and create the conditions for innovation to flourish. Prioritising active listening, empathetic decisions, and self-awareness enables teams to build trust, stay resilient, and perform at their best even amid disruption.

Ric Hill Founder and CTO
3 minute read

As technology evolves and workplace dynamics continue to shift, successful leaders must build stronger connections with their teams. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) plays a critical role in creating environments where innovation thrives, especially during periods of disruption.

Emotional Intelligence: The Key to High-Performing Teams

Leaders capable of understanding and managing emotions - both their own and others' - foster stronger relationships and increase team morale. EQ doesn’t just boost individual performance; it also reinforces team cohesion, enabling organisations to overcome challenges with collective confidence.

How to Lead with Emotional Intelligence at the Core

To develop emotional intelligence, leaders should focus on:

  • Active Listening: Provide undivided attention and ensure your team feels truly heard.
  • Empathy in Decision-Making: Consider how changes and directives might affect team members emotionally.
  • Emotional Self-Awareness: Understand your own reactions to stress to model calm and collected responses for your team.

By prioritising EQ, leaders can shape cultures of trust and resilience - all essential traits for navigating disruption in today’s workplace.

Download the full report to uncover detailed guidance on developing EQ and other transformative leadership skills for 2025: Download the Report Here.

Ric Hill
Founder and CTO

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