Written by The success of any team, whether it’s in a sports, business, or any other context, hinges on effective
leadership. A crucial part of this leadership equation is the leader’s emotional intelligence (EI) and self-awareness, two aspects that have gained considerable recognition in recent years for their influence on
team performance and satisfaction.
Emotional intelligence, is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions to assist
thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions to
promote emotional and intellectual growth (Mayer & Salovey, 1997). EI of leaders an important factor
for innovative athlete and team behavior, and those athetes with higher emotional intelligence are likely
to have higher skills in creativity (Khan et al., 2021). They found that leaders with higher EI are better
equipped to handle interpersonal relationships and navigate through complex emotional terrains,
thereby boosting team morale and productivity.
Self-awareness, on the other hand, is a leader’s understanding of their own emotions, strengths,
weaknesses, needs, and drives. It’s about recognizing how these aspects shape one’s behaviors and
influence others. As Goleman (2014) puts it, “self-awareness is the first component of emotional
intelligence” (p. 1). Leaders who are self-aware can not only manage their own emotions better but can
also empathize with the emotions of their team members, a trait crucial for effective leadership.
An empirical study by Sharma and Jain (2013) found a significant relationship between self-awareness
and team effectiveness and the results showed that self-awareness is absolutely associated with team
effectiveness” (p. 42).
Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are tightly intertwined. A leader with high EI is likely to have a
heightened sense of self-awareness and vice versa. These aspects allow leaders to foster trust,
understanding, and constructive communication within the team, thus creating a conducive
environment for team success.
However, developing EI and self-awareness is a continuous process. Leaders must actively seek feedback,
reflect on their actions and emotions, and be open to learning and change. Regular practice of
mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques can also help enhance these traits.
Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are more than just buzzwords in the leadership domain. They
are essential components that can significantly influence a team’s cohesion, satisfaction, and performance. As leaders work on their own EI and self-awareness, they pave the way for healthier, more
effective teams.
References:
Khan, E., Khan, M. M., & Ahmed, S. S. (2021). Transformational Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and
Innovative work behavior: The role of psychological empowerment. Global Management Journal for
Academic & Corporate Studies, 11(2), 63-76.
Goleman, D. (2014). What Makes a Leader: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters. More Than Sound.
Mayer, J. D., & Salovey, P. (1997). What is emotional intelligence? In P. Salovey & D. Sluyter (Eds.),
Emotional development and emotional intelligence: Educational implications (pp. 3-34). Basic Books.
Sharma, R. R., & Jain, S. (2013). Leadership management: Principles, models and theories. Global Journal
of Management and Business Studies, 3(3), 309-318.