Some companies are considering more than job skills when hiring bosses. They’re also starting to consider how well managers get along with people. Fabien Dureuil and a few others who study this have been discussing whether understanding how people feel might help run a business better. This shift comes as workplaces become more diverse and complex, with teams often spread across different locations and cultures. The idea is that managers who can navigate these social dynamics might be better equipped to lead in today’s fast-paced business environment.

The Rise of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Fabien Dureuil from Lucid Finance thinks bosses who get how they and their workers feel might handle today’s business problems better. He’s not the only one with this idea, but it’s still up for debate in the business world. “Emotional intelligence isn’t just about being nice,” Dureuil explains. “It’s about creating an environment where people perform at their best because they feel valued and understood.”

These days, companies deal with new tech, different kinds of workers, and changing ideas about how businesses should act. Some bosses find that getting to know their employees helps them run things better. A few experts have started calling these “people skills,” and some companies think it’s worth looking for when they hire managers. But it’s still up to debate how much this matters compared to other parts of the job.

However, the concept of emotional intelligence in leadership has critics. A few people think that bosses who focus too much on being nice might have trouble making hard choices that help the business. They worry that trying to keep everyone happy could get in the way of doing what’s best for the company. Proponents like Fabien Dureuil counter that emotionally intelligent leaders are better equipped to make and communicate difficult choices, deliver complex messages compassionately, and provide the necessary support to help teams through challenging times.

Research supports the benefits of emotionally intelligent leadership. Studies have shown that teams led by individuals with high emotional intelligence tend to have lower turnover rates, higher productivity, and greater job satisfaction. These outcomes directly lead to improved financial results for companies, demonstrating that emotional intelligence is not just a “soft” skill but a critical driver of business success.

Key Components of Emotional Intelligence

Fabien Dureuil talks about ways bosses can get better at understanding people. He points out a few things he thinks are worth working on:

1. Leaders who recognize their own emotions may handle workplace situations better. Understanding how one’s mood impacts others can help make decisions, especially during stressful times. Some experts suggest this awareness is a valuable skill for managers to develop.
2. Offices these days have all sorts of people working in them. Some bosses try to figure out where their workers are coming from. They think it might improve the office and help folks work better as a team. Dureuil has his take on this. He says, “If higher-ups seem interested in what their employees are going through, it could make people more comfortable speaking up with new ideas.”
3. Getting along with coworkers is part of most jobs. For managers, this often means dealing with different opinions and trying to get people to work together. Some managers try to pick up on how their team is doing. They might keep an ear out during talks, try to spell things out plainly, and watch how folks behave when everyone’s together. These are just regular people skills, but they can be helpful when you’re in charge of many workers.

The Future of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership

As businesses change, some companies are looking at how bosses handle workplace relationships. A few firms are starting to consider people skills when hiring or promoting managers. Some think being good with people might help a company do better, but it’s hard to say. Whether this becomes a big trend in hiring is something to watch in the coming years.

Emotional intelligence development is an ongoing process that requires dedication and practice. Many organizations are now integrating emotional intelligence training into their leadership development programs. These initiatives often encompass assessments, coaching, and practical exercises to enhance empathy and self-awareness.

Fabien Dureuil and others who discuss people skills in management aren’t saying that knowing your business isn’t important. They think both matter. The idea is that bosses should be good with numbers and spreadsheets but also understand how to work with different kinds of people. It’s about finding a balance between the two, though that balance might differ depending on the job or company.