The Role of Women in Planting Emotional Intelligence!!

Women have been playing a crucial role in planting emotional intelligence in personal and professional spaces.

"I have the skills, the strategy, and the drive," she confided, her frustration palpable. "But something is missing. People don’t seem to connect with my brand." As a young woman entrepreneur, her words hit me hard. Sometimes, we undermine the role of women tying to plant emotional intelligece in our lives.

Damn, I’d battled that exact question in my own mind a thousand times before finding my way.

It was clear she had built her business on pure logic—just like I used to. Yet, the crucial emotional connection was absent. She'd crafted her brand with machine-like precision, but genuine connection—the kind that makes a brand truly relatable, memorable, and influential—simply can't be manufactured.

"Why did you start this? What’s your story?" I asked. As she began to share her journey—battling self-doubt, the sheer excitement of landing her first client, the quiet victories—her voice softened. Suddenly, this wasn't just about offering a service; she was openly sharing her emotional evolution. That's when everything shifted.

This moment wasn't just a revelation for her; it underscored a crucial truth: Women don't just possess emotional intelligence; they inherently nurture and share it. Here in India, where the lines between family, business, and society often beautifully blend, women have historically played a vital, often understated, role in shaping this emotional intelligence—not just within our homes, but also in boardrooms, classrooms, and bustling marketplaces.

Let's be clear: this isn't about stereotyping women as "soft" or "sensitive." It's about recognising the profound power in the ability to understand emotions, build authentic connections, and lead with empathy. This capacity is nothing short of transformative, especially for today's entrepreneurs and leaders.

Beyond Stereotypes: Women as Architects of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) isn't just a passive trait. It's actively cultivated through life's experiences, challenges, and conscious choices. Especially in the Indian context, women don't merely feel; they master and utilise emotions to forge lasting connections that truly matter.

Let's look at a couple of everyday examples:

• Listening Skills: Imagine a grandmother gently teaching her granddaughter to listen not just to the words spoken, but to the emotions bubbling beneath them. This simple lesson blossoms into a lifelong skill, colouring every interaction she has.

• Emotional Guidance: Mothers instinctively navigate their children's emotional landscapes, guiding them to recognise and articulate their feelings. These foundational experiences shape women into incredibly capable emotional navigators.

  
  

As er step into the professional world, women's impact on EI becomes absolutely crucial. Women entrepreneurs understand that connecting with clients isn't just about selling products; it's about weaving emotional stories that naturally foster deep trust and unwavering loyalty.

And research completely backs this up.

A study by TalentSmart reveals that emotional intelligence can predict a whopping 58% of performance across all types of jobs. Employees high in EI consistently build stronger relationships and perform better—making it a genuine game-changer in any business setting.

The Connection Between Emotional Intelligence and Leadership

Studies consistently show that leaders with high emotional intelligence build stronger relationships and achieve superior results. With more women stepping into leadership roles than ever before, their innate ability to read and respond to emotional cues becomes a significant, undeniable advantage.

Women often bring unique insights to the table, finely tuned by experiences as caretakers and community builders. This deep understanding allows them to lead with genuine empathy and cultivate truly collaborative teams.

For example, picture a woman managing a project team. She might easily recognize the subtle signs of a team member feeling overwhelmed or disengaged. Instead of just pushing forward with tasks, she addresses these emotional barriers head-on, creating a supportive environment.

The result?

Improved morale, boosted productivity, and a happier team. 

The Centre for Creative Leadership even found that teams led by emotionally intelligent leaders perform 20% better than those with less emotionally aware counterparts.

The Emotional Intelligence Advantage in Entrepreneurial Settings

Consider a woman running a home-based handicrafts business. Her interactions with customers go beyond mere transactions; she shares stories that evoke emotions and build a genuine bond. This personal touch helps her brand truly stand out in a crowded market, attracting customers who seek more than just items—they crave connection.

Such real-world examples powerfully underscore the significant competitive edge emotional intelligence offers. Entrepreneurs who smartly align their strategies with deep emotional insights aren't just building businesses; they're crafting brands that resonate profoundly with their audience.

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Future Generations

What's more, schools and community organisations can play a massive role by integrating emotional intelligence training into their core programs. This proactive approach will empower young women to lead with compassion, profoundly transforming their professional paths and the wider business landscape.

A Lasting Legacy of Emotional Intelligence

Women’s role in cultivating emotional intelligence within business is undeniably profound. Their unique talent for understanding and managing emotions doesn't just enhance their personal brands; it actively contributes to creating more resilient, empathetic, and ultimately, more successful business environments.

By recognising and fully utilising emotional intelligence, women entrepreneurs can forge truly deep connections, establishing legacy brands grounded in unwavering trust and loyalty.

Ultimately, emotional intelligence isn't just a trait—it is a powerful, enduring legacy. As women continue to nurture and generously share this invaluable skill, they are actively laying the groundwork for future generations of emotionally intelligent leaders, enriching the very fabric of business and society alike.

If you want to brainstorm on the topics given below, then connect with me at coachshweta@gmail.com

• compassion in leadership/coaching and relationships

• emotional intelligence advantage in entrepreneurship