Importance of Emotional Intelligence as a Prerequisite of Authentic Leadership

Emotional intelligence
is an important
prerequisite of
authentic leadership

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Emotional intelligence is an important prerequisite of authentic leadership.........................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
Online...................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Emotional intelligence is the process that depict the ability to understand, manage and also
having the effective use of own emotions within the positive manner in terms of relieving the
stress, empathise with others, communicate effectively, defuse conflict and overcome challenges.
It is helpful to develop the strong relationship, succeed at the work and school and also achieve
their own personal and professional goals. Further, emotional intelligence is also useful in terms
of connecting with the feelings, make informed decisions, turn intentions into actions regarding
what matters the most (Böck & Lange, (2018)). High emotional intelligence helps in directing
the social complexities of the workplace and motivate others in their career. The uncontrolled
emotions and stress leads to impact the mental health so; it is important for an employee to have
healthy mental condition to perform their assigned task efficiently. The following essay leads to
cover the importance about the prerequisite of authentic leadership with suitable examples.
MAIN BODY
Emotional intelligence is an important prerequisite of authentic leadership
According to the perspective of Kruse, (2013), Authentic leaders are the one who are self-
actualised and also aware of their strengths, limitations and emotions. They also represent their
real side to their followers and do not act as one way within the private and public and also do
not hide their mistakes and weaknesses due to the fear of looking weak. These leaders also
realise that being self-actualised in an endless path that never get complete. Emotional
intelligence is essential within the leadership as the most effective leaders are all same the
critical manner as they all have the high degree regarding the knowing factors of emotional
intelligence. According to the various researchers, emotional intelligence is the strongest
predictor of the overall performance and the employees with high emotional intelligence are

likely to stay calm, composed, under pressure, respond to the co-workers with empathy and
resolve conflict effectively.
According to Dollard, (2018), there are several leadership skills that are used in workplace,
school, classrooms, politics and also in the families. Here, people who take initiatives, have
proper vision, can effectively strategize, plan and achieve goals are considered as the good
leader. Emotional intelligence of the ability of leaders in which they accurately perceive the
emotions in terms of understanding their signals in which emotions send about the suitable
relationships (Marson, (2019)). Emotional intelligence is the factor which is helpful for the
leaders as they are able to opt the changing circumstances at their workplace and their own roles.
Emotional intelligence enables the individual to become more adaptable within the society and
also make effective sense. By considering the example of Marks and Spencer, the employees
need proper guidance and direction of leader after the global pandemic of COVID-19 as after
this pandemic most of the employees left their workplace or downsized and new ones need
proper guidance. Here, the leader of Marks and Spencer need to aware about few things,
understanding and also manage the prominent emotions by which they can help to direct their
workforce in the ever changing environment and also become the successful leader.
Emotional intelligence is the key leadership skills for those leaders who are effective and
also master in terms of managing their relationship in positive manner. Being a leader of the
team where people are having effective and important relationship with each other is important
in terms of performing with full potential (Nguyen, (2018)). Further, to move towards the
position of authentic leader only emotional intelligence is not enough, an individual must have
professional knowledge and experience in terms of taking the leadership role at their high degree
and also more effective to become successful. Hence, emotions are flux and adaptability is the