Emotional intelligence author Daniel Goleman  suggests, “As a leader moves up in an organization, up to 90% of their success lies in emotional intelligence.” He further points out, “The three primary derailers are: difficulty handling change, not being able to work well in a team, and poor interpersonal relations.” Guess that pretty well says it all.

Over the years I have learned (and I am still learning) that the leader’s most valuable currency is not money, nor is it IQ, multiple degrees, the number of techno gizmos attached to your person, industry experience, good looks, charisma, ability to create strategies and a business plan (how be they important) read a profit and loss statement, and well, you get the point.

I have come to realize, as a leader, my most valuable currency is emotional capital, or in other words, the ability to connect with others.

Building high performing, lasting, profitable relationships with employees and customers requires that we embrace and ultimately rely on emotion in our work; which at the end of the day is deeply human.

Author and poet, David Whyte said:
“Listen. In every office you hear the threads of love and joy,
And fear and guilt, the cries for celebration and reassurance,
And somehow you know that connecting those threads is what
You are supposed to do, and business will take care of itself.”

All the best to you as you are connecting the threads.

Make Today Your Masterpiece,