In the last several years, the concept of emotional intelligence (also known as EQ) has gained a lot of traction in the domain of leadership, and for a good reason. Jonathan Westover, a managing partner of Human Capital Innovations LLC, brings a fresh viewpoint to the discussion on how emotional intelligence affects one’s ability to exercise successful leadership.
What exactly does “Emotional Intelligence” refer to?
EQ is the capacity of a person to identify, comprehend, and effectively regulate not just their own feelings but also those of other people. Leaders that have a high emotional intelligence are able to successfully regulate their own emotions and responses when confronted with stressful circumstances, as well as make educated judgments and effectively communicate with their team members.
Who is Jonathan Westover?
Jonathan Westover is the managing partner and principal of Human Capital Innovations, LLC. He has extensive expertise in the fields of organizational leadership, people management, and organizational development consulting. Twenty years of his life have been dedicated to assisting in the development of businesses all around the world. He is also the creator and presenter of the Human Capital Innovations (HCI) Podcast and Managing Editor of Human Capital Leadership Magazine.
In addition, Dr. Westover is a professor and chair of Organizational Leadership in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University, Academic Director of the UVU Center for Social Impact and the UVU SIMLab, and Faculty Fellow for Ethics in Public Life (previously the Associate Director) in the Center for the Study of Ethics. He has established himself as a top-rated HR, innovation, and future of work global thought leader and influencer, and his books have reached the number one spot on Amazon.com in the United States (Thinkers360). In addition to that, at Global Gurus, he has a spot in the top 30 for both Management and Organizational Culture.
The perspective of Jonathan Westover
Jonathan Westover is of the opinion that one of the most important components of successful leadership is emotional intelligence. According to Westover, leaders who have a high level of emotional intelligence are able to cultivate a workplace that is more upbeat and productive, which in turn may lead to improved individual performance on teams as well as improved results for businesses.
In order to cultivate emotional intelligence, Westover places a strong emphasis on increasing one’s self-awareness. Self-aware leaders are able to understand both their own strengths and limits, which enables them to control their feelings and responses in different settings more successfully. This can help them create trust with the other members of their team, communicate effectively, and make choices based on accurate information.
Additionally, Westover emphasizes the significance of empathic leadership in successful organizations. Empathetic leaders are able to comprehend the thoughts and feelings of the members of their team, which enables these leaders to forge better connections with their employees and foster a more upbeat and productive atmosphere in the workplace. The result of this might be an increase in the level of motivation, engagement, and productivity among the members of the team.
All in all, the perspective provided by Westover about the part that emotional intelligence plays in successful leadership is crucial in the fast-paced and complicated corporate world that exists today. Leaders who exhibit strong emotional intelligence can successfully manage their own emotions and those of their team members, which may lead to greater team performance and business results. Leaders may grow their emotional intelligence and become more successful in their professions by prioritizing self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication. These are just a few of the important ways that leaders can build their emotional intelligence.