Emotional Intelligence--Leadership through Humility and Vulnerability

We're six weeks in to exploring the seven competencies for higher education leaders, using the research of Jorge Burmicky and Kevin McClure (from Competencies for the College Presidency, sponsored by Academic Search). The next competency they identify is emotional intelligence.

Leadership and strength are often thought to go together. There is value, to be sure, in some of the characteristics historically associated with strength; decisiveness and courage would certainly fall in this category.

But in this report we once again see conclusions that reinforce the importance of less traditional skills and dispositions, reflected this time under the topic of emotional intelligence. Three related characteristics jump out to me as I review the report:

·      Effective leaders don’t claim credit and blame others; they distribute credit and take public responsibility for what happens on their watch.

·      Effective leaders are vulnerable, willing to interact genuinely and authentically rather than keeping up a façade of confidence that can become exhausting. (Echoes of Brene Brown here)

·      Effective leaders exhibit humility, allowing others to complement their knowledge and skill sets as they recognize that they don’t know it all.

So, yes, leaders are strong…but not in the way we might stereotypically and shortsightedly describe strength. Their strength comes from an emotional maturity that allows them to take criticism, to reflect praise, to be emotionally vulnerable, and to be humble enough to learn...which allows them to learn, continuing to improve as a result.

Not surprisingly, these are among the topics that are often discussed in part of a coaching relationship. If interested in learning more, don't hesitate to reach out--it would be a honor to be part of your leadership journey!