What Makes a Leader?

 Emotional intelligence is the sine qua non of leadership. IQ and technical skills are vital, but emotional intelligence is the sine qua non of leadership.

Summary.

When asked to describe the ideal leader, many people would point to qualities like intelligence, tenacity, determination, and vision—qualities that have long been linked with leadership. Such abilities and intelligence are desirable but insufficient attributes in a leader. Softer, more personable attributes are frequently overlooked, but they are equally important. Although a certain level of analytical and technical talent is required for success, research suggest that emotional intelligence is the fundamental attribute that distinguishes exceptional performers from those who are only adequate.

With his 1995 book of the same name, psychologist and author Daniel Goleman popularised the phrase "emotional intelligence," and with this classic HBR piece from 1998, he applied it to business for the first time. Goleman discovered that highly great leaders had a high level of emotional intelligence in his research at over 200 large, worldwide corporations. Without it, even if a person has excellent training, a sharp mind, and an unending supply of good ideas, he will not be a great leader.

The chief components of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation,

Every businessperson has heard the storey of a brilliant, skilled CEO who was promoted to a leadership position only to fail miserably. They also know of a person with good—but not exceptional—intellectual and technical ability who was elevated to a similar position and then excelled.