The First Step to Increasing EQ is Awareness
Naming your emotions - with specificity rather than vague terms is essential to EQ.
Old way: Push through. Stay busy. Avoid the emotion.
New way: Name it. Feel it. Move forward.
This is what emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership really looks like, helping a leader break free from a year of feeling stuck.
The first step to increasing EQ is naming your emotions - with specificity rather than vague terms like “I’m stressed.”
Another key step is tuning into your body.
I recently asked a leadership team to identify their physical sensations (e.g., “tightness in my stomach”).
I helped them understand that those sensations are tied to specific emotions.
Paul (a fictional name) shared that he felt scared and noticed tightness in his back, which often signals anger.
This realization was eye-opening—he hadn’t realized he was angry, and even more so, angry at himself.
For a year, his division’s business had declined, and he felt powerless, blaming external forces.
We discussed the purpose of anger—it signals the need for change.
By recognizing his emotions, Paul identified one actionable step he could take.
That moment of clarity got him unstuck.
Emotional intelligence allows leaders to move forward where they once felt stuck.
It begins with awareness of both mind and body, and the courage to act.
If you’d like simple and impactful strategies to increase your EQ, DM me here for a short call.