EQ: The ReLeader's Secret Weapon

Why emotional intelligence is critical to finishing the race

Have you ever walked into a room after an argument has taken place? Even if no one told you about it, you’ll probably sense it. The room crackles with tension. That's because we're wired to pick up on emotions.

For a ReLeader, this “picking up” process is more like heavy lifting. That’s because being a ReLeader isn’t just about having the smarts. It’s about having a hefty dose of Emotional Intelligence, also known as EQ. (For the record, IQ is “intelligence quotient.” EQ is “emotional quotient.”)

Picture this: You’ve been given the job of leading an organization or a team. You’ve been handed the baton, but you didn’t start this race. You only entered the race after it started. You're running in someone else’s tracks, breathing in their residual air, and you’re being watched by the crowd they gathered.

You’ve got to run your race, but in a way you’re also finishing their race—and holding their baton. That’s the life of a ReLeader. You didn’t hire these crazy people, you didn’t set these idiotic policies and you sure didn’t create this toxic culture.

Welcome to the job, right?

IQ vs. EQ

You’re not just dealing with policies, balance sheets, or timelines. Nope. You’re managing memories, pre-established team dynamics, and a load of unspoken emotions. Now, a high IQ might help you crunch numbers and strategize, but EQ is the key to navigating the labyrinth of human emotions you’ve just inherited.

Ever tried walking in someone else’s shoes? It’s awkward, right? So awkward we’ve turned it into a cliché.

But filling unfamiliar shoes is exactly what it feels like when you step into a pre-existing role—especially one that may not have ended well. But with a strong EQ, a ReLeader can lace up and start running with grace and gusto. It’s about connecting with your team, feeling the terrain under your feet, and acknowledging the footprints of the one who ran before you.

Now, let’s not forget, change can ruffle feathers. As a ReLeader, you’re going to have to fluff a few nests. This is where your EQ really gets to shine. Your self-awareness and self-regulation are going to become your flashlights in the dark. They help you understand your emotions and control your responses. So, when the path gets steep and the air thin, you can keep your cool, lead with confidence, and inspire your team to keep going.

But EQ is not just about understanding and controlling your own emotions. It’s also about recognizing and corralling the emotions on your team. Your job will be to spark the emotional fuel within your team. ReLeading with a high EQ isn’t just about knowing the destination, but about making the total journey worthwhile.

Oh, and here’s a nugget you can take to the bank: ReLeadership is about relationships. It’s more than managing people—it’s caring for them. It’s resolving conflicts in a way that stitches the team closer rather than tearing them further apart. It’s about making each person feel seen, heard, and valued.

Finishing the Race

And finally, throughout the entire race, EQ helps you be you. Remember: Someone else may have started the race, but once you receive the baton it’s your job to run your race. This empowers you to honor your predecessor, and at the same time, it helps you carve your own path.

You’re not here to erase the past but to respect it and learn from it as you make your way toward the finish line.

ReLeadership isn’t just a high IQ gig. It’s an EQ gig. It’s about picking up the baton, acknowledging the race that’s already been run, and then running your own.

It’s about reviving what may seem lost and rebuilding with hope. If this resonates with you, well, welcome to the world of ReLeadership.