Black Leaders and Emotional Intelligence

As a leader, I believe that emotional intelligence is one of the most critical skills we can possess. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to identify, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

For Black Leaders, emotional intelligence is embedded early in us as a survival skill, not a leadership skill. However, in a world where Black individuals often face discrimination, bias, and microaggressions, emotional intelligence is crucial for navigating these challenges and building meaningful relationships.

The influential author and speaker Brené Brown once said, "Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It's simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of 'you're not alone.'"

This quote highlights the power of emotional intelligence in building connections with others, particularly in times of adversity. By developing our emotional intelligence, we can better understand the experiences of those around us and respond in an empathetic and supportive way.

In conclusion, emotional intelligence is a critical skill for Black leaders in today's world. By cultivating this skill, we can build stronger relationships with those around us and navigate our challenges with greater resilience and compassion. Emotional intelligence allows us to create positive and lasting emotional impacts on those around us. As the civil rights leader Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”