Page 188 - IMDR JOURNAL 2023-24

IMDR’s Journal of Management Development & Research 2023-24

grace and effectiveness. Unfortunately, not all leaders possess this key skill. Those lacking self-management
often fall prey to impulsive reactions, fuelled by emotions that cloud their judgment. This can lead to hasty

decisions and negative consequences for themselves and their teams.
The key lies in shifting from reaction to response. While reactions are often automatic and driven by emotions,

response is a deliberate choice. By developing your emotional intelligence, you can learn to pause, breathe,

and regroup when faced with stress. Whether it's taking a walk, talking to a friend, or practicing mindfulness
techniques, finding healthy ways to manage your emotions is essential. This allows you to respond to

challenges intentionally and rationally, ultimately leading to better outcomes for yourself and your team.

3. Social Awareness

Understanding one's own emotions is critical, but leadership goes beyond that. Social awareness is the key to
facilitating successful interactions and strengthening relationships inside your workplace. This skill allows

you to sense and comprehend the emotions and dynamics at work around you, resulting in a richer social

tapestry.
Leaders with high levels of social awareness are also good at empathy. They actively endeavor to understand

their colleagues' views and opinions, building a stronger connection that drives more effective communication

and collaboration. This isn't just a feel-good idea; it's supported by evidence.

According to global leadership development organization DDI, empathy is the most important leadership

talent, with leaders who grasp it outperforming their peers by more than 40% in areas such as mentoring,
engagement, and decision-making. Furthermore, a study conducted by the Centre for Creative Leadership

discovered that managers who display higher empathy toward their direct reports are perceived as better
performers by their superiors.

Empathy-based communication has numerous advantages. You can provide better assistance for your staff,

creating a more positive and productive workplace. You can also improve your own performance by
strengthening relationships and managing challenging circumstances with greater ease.

4. Relationship Management
Building solid relationships among your team entails more than simply avoiding confrontation. It is about

having the fortitude to confront even the most difficult challenges. Why? Ignoring problems can be quite

costly. According to studies, each unresolved argument can squander up to eight hours of business time through
gossip and pointless activities, depleting both resources and motivation.

Remember that happy teams are productive ones. According to a recent survey conducted by the Society for
Human Resource Management, 72% of employees rank "respectful treatment of all employees at all levels"

as the most important component in their job satisfaction. By engaging in open and courteous communication,
even when it is difficult, you may create a pleasant work atmosphere in which everyone feels valued and heard.

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