Emotional Intelligence Managers

Research indicates that emotional intelligence (EI) accounts for an astonishing 70-80 percent of management success. Technical expertise just isn't enough anymore: Project managers need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to recognize emotional cues in order to lead their teams to success. Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers introduces listeners to all facets of EI and shows how emotions can be leveraged to meet project goals.

In our society we hear a lot of about IQ. The general norm is that a person with a high IQ is bound for success. But is that necessarily true? Some are naturally gifted with the ability to solve problems and think of the fly. However, the ability to interact with others in social settings or in a work place truly overshadows those with a high IQ. But why is that? How can understanding other people’s emotions have a greater impact than a high IQ?

Research by Daniel Goleman, a psychologist and coauthor of Primal Leadership, has shown that emotional intelligence is a more powerful determinant of good leadership than technical competence, IQ, or vision. Influencing those around us and supporting our own well-being requires us to be self-aware, know when and how to regulate our emotional reactions, and understand the emotional responses of those around us. No wonder emotional intelligence has become one of the crucial criteria in hiring and promotion.

With such a big emphasis on getting certified, IT project managers are spending a lot of time and money getting certifications and working to improve their “hard skills”. While these certifications and working on the mechanics of IT project management are important, there is one thing that many IT project managers neglect to work on and that is their soft skills. Understanding how to run a project is only a piece of the entire puzzle. Learning how to work with your teams and stakeholders is as important if not more important. This skill starts with emotional intelligence.