Today I want to dig a little deeper into the types of habits that successful leaders employ to ensure they keep their EQs sharp and healthy. Some of these habits are shockingly simple. Others are a bit more challenging. All of them are potentially powerful for you as you transcend to the next level in your leadership.

Emotional intelligence is developed and enhanced by paying attention to the world and one’s place in it. It requires a heightened sense of awareness, but it also demands diligence from those who are new to the concept. Ultimately, emotional intelligence is simple once you develop a feel for it. Developing your emotional intelligence awareness and skills takes both patience and practice. Spend time honing this critical skill to enhance your EQ potential.

Do you suspect that your leadership could benefit from an emotional intelligence boost? Perhaps you’re reluctant to look deeply inside yourself for the answers to these questions, and I get it. Working on emotional intelligence is not easy, and it forces people to confront themselves in ways that can be uncomfortable. However, your ability to improve your EQ could pave the way to your transformation into a truly great leader.

Do you struggle with communication? Are you concerned that your communication skills might be negatively impacting your ability to lead effectively? Are you worried that you are unable to do it on your own? I have worked with leaders in various industries over the years, many of whom required deep, fundamental transformations to their communication styles. I have observed leaders turn communication challenges into absolute strengths, and I have been there for leaders who felt challenged by the idea of becoming more vulnerable with their communication.

How do you become more self-aware of these blind spots in order to keep them in check? It may not be easy, but it is possible. The first step is to simply acknowledge that you probably do have some blind spots. You may not recognize them right away, but if you open yourself up to the possibility of doing things differently your mind will be better able to notice opportunities as they happen, allowing you to make the necessary corrections. To help you expand your self-awareness of potential communication blind spots, I’ve compiled a list of common areas where leaders often go wrong in the way in which they are communicating. 

You want to know what your people really think, right? You don’t want them to tell you what you want to hear; you want them to tell you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. I would go a step further and say that what you want is for your employees to tell you the truth precisely because it might be uncomfortable.

Asking the right questions – in the right way – is a great way for leaders to learn more about their people, enhance engagement and build high-quality organizational culture. Unfortunately, leaders don’t always know how to flip the conversational switch if they have become accustomed to operating in a more traditional, “command-and-control” model. Or they may simply not know how to open up and ask the appropriate questions of their people. Do you have questions on what it takes to improve the flow of communication within your organization?

Are you concerned that your communication skills might be lacking? Do you find that you struggle in interactions with people in your organization? Are you afraid that you might have some communication blind spots? The first step to improving your leadership communication is becoming aware of the mistakes you may be making. The following communication mistakes, when not addressed, can sink leaders and harm organizations. But if you can recognize these mistakes in yourself, you can improve your communication ability considerably. Let’s take a look!