"Emotional intelligence is twice as important as IQ and technical skills in determining job success. The higher up an organisation you go, the more important Emotional Intelligence becomes" - Daniel Goleman.
This is a time of unprecedented complexity, contradiction and uncertainty. The traditional skills that have taken people to leadership positions are no longer sufficient for them to solve the problems we face individually and collectively. Goleman defines Emotional Intelligence as the capacity for recognising our own feelings - as well as those of others - and the basis for motivating and developing relationships.

Many leaders of professional service firms are in those positions based on their technical expertise, coupled with an ability to generate high fees and lead a team of like-minded professionals. However, in a leadership role the ultimate goal is to build the current and long-term value of the firm. Leading a people-based business with emotional intelligence is a significant challenge but, essential both in leading through uncertainty, and future success.

Self-awareness is the key, enabling the leader to understand their own emotions and their impact on decisions and behaviours towards others. With this understanding, the leader is better able to acknowledge what others expect of them, and to meet or exceed those expectations.

In this conversation, Jo Larbie of Inclusive Professions and Keith Wells of Brandwell introduce the Charisma Index and discuss in detail Consciousness as one of its six dimensions, and Emotional Intelligence...and what this means for leaders of Professional Services Firms.