Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: My Life and My Saving Grace

Formal education doesn't define intelligence or predict success, and I am living proof of this. However, I was trained through the school of hard knocks. This experience has instilled high emotional intelligence and empathy, which have played a significant role in my life and career.    

I have learned and observed in my career in real estate and as a coach that, as a business owner, cultivating emotional intelligence is a critical skill needed to succeed. Therefore, I have compiled some examples for you.  

Great business leaders listen more than they speak. They recognize the value of truly hearing and understanding their clients and employees.  

Exceptional leaders lead by example and model the behavior they wish to see in others. In addition, their emotional intelligence enables them to inspire their teams positively and constructively.  

Emotionally intelligent people consistently make insightful business decisions by considering various viewpoints and carefully weighing their options. It's almost like we can read minds :)  

Great business leaders accept criticism gracefully and have accountability for their errors. In addition, they value feedback and continue to learn from their experiences.  

Leaders with emotional intelligence remain level-headed even under challenging conversations or tense situations and express themselves clearly and logically.   

With their emotional intelligence, business owners and leaders can skillfully resolve conflicts and create productive working relationships.  

They can put themselves into their employees' and clients' shoes, empathize with their struggles, and respond appropriately to their needs.  

By being emotionally intelligent, leaders can cultivate solid organizational cultures and foster a more productive and enjoyable experience.   

I have also compiled some ways to practice raising your emotional intelligence and empathy.  

Pause and reflect before responding. This allows you to respond thoughtfully and rationally.  

Listen carefully to others to understand their needs and emotions. This helps you to build better relationships and find solutions that benefit everyone.  

Take control of your thoughts. Reframe negative situations and focus on positive outcomes.  

Praise others to encourage empathy and a deeper understanding of people's needs and motivations.  

Learn from criticism. Criticism can be helpful and lead to growth.  

Pay attention to body language. Nonverbal communication can tell you more than words.  

Be humble. Apologize when necessary. Compassion builds trust and respect.  

See from another perspective. Understanding others' points of view can lead to finding common ground.   

If you follow this advice, I promise you will build your community of raving lunatic fans who will help you grow a business with people who love, trust and respect you. This is the best way and, for me, the only way.  This results in a healthy lifestyle in both your business and personal life. 

I have faced many challenges in my life and career, and leading with empathy and emotional intelligence was my saving grace. For me, I had no choice without any formal education. In hindsight, I am grateful; having a choice would have made it more challenging to choose leadership styles. 

Due to leading with empathy and emotional intelligence, I have a long line of former clients or people who worked under me who I now call friends. Some have become my family. This leadership style is a gift. It can be yours by tuning in to your intuition more than your KPIs (key production indicators). Try it out, and let me know how you make out! If you would like some support and guidance, let’s get on a call! jennifermaher.com/schedule

Your guide to personal and professional transformation,   

Jenn Maher  
Business Coach & Life Force Strategist  
https://linktr.ee/jennmaher