Understanding Emotional Intelligence and Its Role in Leadership

Abstract

The ability to initiate and sustain effective interactions with others is a key determinant of success and fulfillment. Yet our self-awareness of how we are perceived is often incomplete, leading to misinterpretations and suboptimal decisions. As physicians, we lead both formally and informally in a variety of roles—in medical systems, clinics and operating theatres. We are often challenged by the stress of practice and the need to achieve balance with family and friends. Conflict is a natural and expected consequence; a level of personal insight and resilience is vital to a healthy and productive life. A growing compilation of data demonstrates that high emotional intelligence (EQ) enhances social interactions and improves personal performance in a wide range of settings. In this chapter, we quantify the traits associated with EQ, examine the role of EQ in the medical environment, including the differences seen among different specialties, provide insights into the neurobiology of human emotion, address how experiences shape our ability to interact with others, describe how emotional intelligence can be measured and quantified and finally assess what one can do to improve EQ. We then explore the role of EQ in styles of conflict resolution and describe forms of feedback that can increase insight and enhance both professional performance and personal satisfaction.