Dear Colleague,

August 2016

This is an interesting year to reflect on what we look for in a leader. Everyone has different views and expectations of effective leadership as we know it is defined differently today than it was twenty years ago. What does it take to be an effective leader? As I have studied leadership over the years, that question is consistently asked. The ability to bring out talent in others and unleash their utmost potential is one sure way of measuring leadership capability. Every organization may have a different set of skills needed for success, and each of us may have our own set of criteria for measuring leadership but there are certain leadership competencies that are at the foundation of effective leadership. One of the skills at the top of the list includes a high level of emotional intelligence. Building our EQ can not only help us be better leaders but help us excel in all aspects of our lives. What is your EQ?

Please share your career stories and updates with me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Predictor and Do You Welcome and Embrace Conflict? Please take a moment to read below and feel free to forward along to others.

Please consider attending this upcoming event at Suffolk University and/or pass along to others who would be interested…Build Your Strategic Leadership, 2nd Annual Women in Leadership Career Lab, Suffolk University, 9/15/16

Best Regards,

Rita Balian Allen

Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Predictor

By: Rita Balian Allen, Rita B. Allen Associates
Published on The Huffington Post

Everyone is familiar with the term 'intelligence quotient' or IQ as a measure of intelligence. However, is it the best predictor of success especially as a leader? There is another level of intelligence that is viewed equally, if not more importantly, as a measure of potential leadership success and ultimately organizational performance…and that is emotional intelligence or EQ.

Emotional intelligence is our ability to identify and manage our own emotions as well as recognize that of others and groups. It requires effective communication between the rational and emotive centers of our brain – it represents the path between feeling and reason. The brain science surrounding EQ is quite powerful and compelling. As reported by Daniel Goleman in his book, "Primal Leadership, Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence", the four skills that together make up Emotional Intelligence include; self awareness and self management, which are about personal competence; and social awareness and relationship management, which are about social competence. Goleman states "Gifted leadership occurs where heart and head - feeling and thought - meet."

Read the full article, "Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Predictor"...

Do You Welcome and Embrace Conflict?

By: Rita Balian Allen, Rita B. Allen Associates
Published on L&MB

How often do you and a colleague, client or other acquaintance disagree? Maybe a better question is how many times in one day do you have a different outlook or opinion than someone else? It is a very common occurrence for all of us and will be as we go through career and life. This is the definition of conflict and it occurs daily in organizations between colleagues, teams, staff, vendors, customers, leaders, managers, and in all aspects of our lives.

Conflict is inevitable and healthy in order for progress to occur. It is also a critical factor when managing change during many life stages of an organization. Yet it is one of the most difficult challenges we all continue to face. The more important reflection to consider is how we react to and deal with differing viewpoints. We want to embrace conflict as unavoidable and normal, see it as a positive that is needed to move forward and grow.

Read the full article, "Do You Welcome and Embrace Conflict?"...