7 secrets of leaders that people love to follow

Who are your favorite leaders and why? Now think about your least favorite leaders and why. There are leaders that people love to follow and there are leaders that people have to follow and the difference between the two is often how well they developed their emotional intelligence. Leaders with highly developed emotional intelligence are perceived by their followers as more open, optimistic, accessible, understanding, confident, and capable than those who rely solely on their position to assert leadership. It can be argued that a high EI is actually more important than a high IQ when it comes to motivating and moving people. So what are your leadership secrets? Are leaders born with this trait or do they develop it themselves? Take a look at the list and judge for yourself.

1. Leaders love to know who they are.

The first secret of leadership is the ability to identify and understand one’s own emotions. Knowing why you feel angry or sad or elated or any of the powerful emotions will allow you to control them. Rather than acting instinctively, the strong leader can identify the emotion they are feeling and make a quick analysis and rational response.

2. Strong leaders know how to relax at will.

Stress is basically a form of fear, and it’s a huge distraction. Left unchecked, stress can lead to irrational responses, paralysis, poor judgment, damaged relationships, and of course, low productivity. Understanding the cause of stress and being able to rationally assess those causes removes the fear factor and allows the leader to relax and focus on a logical approach to any challenge.

3. Successful leaders can “talk” nonverbally

What is commonly referred to as “body language” is really just an outward expression of emotion. The successful leader is attuned to the way others express themselves physically so that he can identify their emotional state and accommodate it. On the other hand, he consciously expresses body language in a way that conveys an emotion appropriate to the situation.

4. True leaders understand those they lead.

This is perhaps the most difficult skill to develop. Leaders must not only be able to identify the emotions of their followers, but also understand why they feel that way. It means skillful listening and rational investigative techniques. It means you can’t fall back on the “If only they’d do it my way” response and instead have them willingly “Do it their way,” preferably believing it was your own idea all along.

5. Great leaders “infect” the people they lead.

Science has shown that emotions are contagious. The mob mentality, where a very diverse group of people suddenly find themselves expressing the same emotion and behavior is evident at any football game, wedding, funeral, or riot. A powerful emotional moment, like the moment a girlfriend says “I do” or the home team scores, or a coffin is lowered, will trigger an almost universal response and everyone under the influence of it will feel the same emotion. Great leaders foster an infection of positive emotions like confidence, optimism, and respect among their followers.

6. True leaders are a combination of a coach and a water carrier.

The confidence that high emotional intelligence instills in the true leader allows him to focus on the goal and not worry about competition for his leadership role. In fact, the inspired leader knows that the more he can encourage the development of emotional intelligence in his subordinates, the more effective and productive his organization will be, and that will be reflected in the value of his leadership skills. True leaders identify the target and then, like the waterboy, make sure their subordinates have the resources they need to stay in the game.

7. Relationships are the engine of a true leader

An effective leader is obsessed with improving relationships. He or she knows that everything they do, from leading and organizing, to being a spouse and parent, to buying bread and milk at the store, they do with or through other people. They understand that by using their emotional intelligence they can strengthen those relationships and lead a more fulfilling and fulfilling life.

Are leaders the only ones who benefit from high EI? Absolutely not. Everyone can lead more productive and enjoyable lives if they simply try to be in tune with their own emotions and consider the emotional needs of others.