Monday, December 2, 2013

Chapter Three - Neuroanatomy of Leadership



Despite the title, this chapter focuses primarily on introducing the four domains of emotional intelligence. There is a little attention given to the brain activity connected to these four domains, but not much.
It opens with an interesting study in which they tracked executives interviewing for jobs. They recorded the number of times each candidate got a laugh during the interview when they said something witty. They then compared this with future data they collected on the executives’ success within the new company. They found that the outstanding/high performing leaders got a laugh during their interview about twice as often as the ‘so-so’ leaders. Apparently, the ability to resonate with someone and get them to laugh has a direct impact on your ability to lead and succeed.

To lead into the four domains, they mentioned a thought from sociologist Max Weber who said “institutions that endure thrive not because of one leader’s charisma, but because they cultivate leadership throughout the system.” (p. 36).  I like that idea. It reminds me of something I say in my leadership classes through Disney Institute. People always want to hear about “Walt the innovator” and the things he did to helm the company and the brand from poverty to success. As of 2011, the Disney company has been around longer without Walt’s leadership than it was under his leadership. The continued success is a testament to the notion that it wasn’t just this one man who steered the ship, but the culture he created and left behind for the company. This same thing is achievable in any organization.

The four dimensions of EI and their associated competencies are:
·      Self-Awareness
o   Emotional self awareness
o   Accurate self assessment
o   Self confidence
·      Self-Management
o   Emotional self control
o   Transparency
o   Adaptability
o   Achievement
o   Initiative
o   Optimism
·      Social Awareness
o   Empathy
o   Organizational awareness
o   Service
·      Relationship Management
o   Inspirational leadership
o   Influence
o   Developing others
o   Change catalyst
o   Conflict management
o   Building bonds
o   Teamwork and collaboration

The authors claim that no one can be outstanding at all these competencies, but an emotionally intelligent leader demonstrates mastery of at least half of dozen of them, preferably at least one from each domain.


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