Emotional Intelligence

We talk a lot about vision, strategy, and execution.

But there’s a set of skills that often gets overlooked:

Emotional intelligence.

And yet, it’s been a common thread in every great
leader that I’ve had the privilege of working with.

Because in the middle of tight deadlines,
rising tension, and fast-moving decisions…

What tends to set trusted leaders apart is how they handle people.
(Yes, including themselves).

Here are 8 small habits that can help build
emotional intelligence at work:

1. Notice your triggers
↳ What consistently frustrates or drains you?
That’s where your self-awareness begins.

2. Pause before reacting
↳ Even a brief pause can shift you from
reactive to intentional.

3. Listen with curiosity
↳ Instead of planning your reply, ask one
more question.

4. Label what you feel
↳ Naming emotions helps you manage them
(and teaches your team to do the same).

5. Own your impact
↳ Decisions affect people. Check in.
Ask how they’re doing.

6. Stay open-minded
↳ Especially when you don’t agree.
That’s where growth happens.

7. Practice empathy daily
↳ Assume there’s more going on beneath
the surface and lead accordingly.

8. Ask for feedback
↳ Not just on results but on how you show up.

Take your time:

Emotional intelligence is a muscle.

And like any muscle, you build it through reps.
By listening. Reflecting. Pausing.

Every interaction is a chance to stretch it.
Every moment is a rep.

So keep showing up.