Leading with Emotional Intelligence

October 26, 2021
Caro Widder

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Class of 2023

Read more from this author →

You have probably heard that teamwork is necessary to lead a chapter, but only that is not enough. This is where emotional intelligence comes into play. Emotional intelligence is a skill made up of many other capabilities that allow us to lead the chapter development process in a more enjoyable way. To work in a team there are several things to keep in mind, throughout this article, I will focus on the skills that make up emotional intelligence and how to use them to make the leadership experience more comfortable.

To begin with, I believe that in order to collaborate with the development of a chapter—from any position on the board or simply by being a member—it is crucial to understand the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective performance.

It is also important to understand that sometimes we have some skills more than others and that this should not be something to worry about, but an opportunity to develop our abilities.

From my point of view, it is good to start by knowing and managing oneself and then learn to know and work with others, that is why qualities such as self-awareness and self-regulation are essential to work on at the beginning. By working on these qualities, I could notice great changes. From starting to be more honest with myself to creating an environment of trust by controlling and channeling emotions in which high productivity is promoted.

Secondly, I think it is extremely important to focus on personal motivation as well as the motivation of the board or even the chapter, motivation generates commitment and when there is a commitment there is effectiveness. One possible way to motivate others is to ask them about their objectives and what they want to achieve. Moreover, during my experience, I was able to realize that when things are done with motivation and passion, they do not end up being so heavy.

Finally, there are two aspects of emotional intelligence that I would like to focus on when talking about teamwork; empathy and social skills.

Taking into account the emotions of those you work with to make decisions and understand their way of seeing things is a wonderful skill, as it allows you to understand and adapt to the needs of others. In addition, social skills open the door to lead a team, working together to take the chapter in the same direction.

To summarize, we could say that the 5 components of emotional intelligence: Self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill can give great results if they are put into practice in the right way, but they can also be worked on if you don't feel you have them enough!

Caro Widder is a BBG from Dimion #5613 in Argentina and is interested in the social impacts that BBYO can have and the different ways to lead.

All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.

Explore More Stories

Spotlight

2023 Must Reads!

Ella Young
Michigan, United States

In need of a good book? Or want to start reading and want to know where to start? This list is for you!Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This book is amazing! It centers around a popular Hollywood actress, Evelyn Hugo, and all about her life story. It is very fun to read, and has a HUGE plot twist! Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Interested in music? You should read Daisy Jones and the Six! In this story, you learn about a band that becomes very popular, and all the ups and downs they face. It is a super entertaining read and is being turned into a TV show in March 2023! It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover: This story follows Lily Bloom, a girl who recently moved to Boston, and ready to start her new life. Through the book, you see how Lily evolves, and deals with a very impactful account. This book is so good, you won’t be able to put it down! All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin: Emily Giffin tells a very impactful story about an event that happens, and three different perspectives about it. The book highlights difficult topics, and shows how multiple people can change a story. The ending is very emotional, and definitely a book to add to your read list! Paper Towns by John Green: A story of adventure, romance, and mystery, Paper Towns is a book that keeps readers on their toes! It shows the dynamic between Margo, the most popular girl at school, and Quentin, a socially awkward boy who lives across the street from Margo. After one crazy night together, Margo disappears and leaves clues for Quentin to find her. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat! Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: It is August of 1983, and super Nina Riva is getting ready to throw her annual end of summer party. This book shows how in 24 hours, a LOT can happen. Malibu Rising is a super fun read, and shows how the different Riva kids can change in one day. Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon: Like to read books about academic rivals? This story is for you! Rowan and Neil have been rivals, but after they are forced to team up, things change for them. This is a super cute book with a sweet ending!

Get The Shofar blasted to your inbox

Subscribe
Subscribe