Getting to the Heart of the Matter

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Author(s): Jean Walker is executive vice president of OI Partners (Portland)

Our perceptions are our realities. No amount of rational analysis is going to overcome feelings that are deeply embedded. Much as we would sometimes like to deal with an issue on a logical, data and fact-based level, we are naive to think emotions will not impact the conclusions. People are whole beings and thought cannot be separated from feelings or behavior.

Emotions don't distinguish between the rational and the irrational. You can expand your leadership effectiveness by learning to become socially astute. Leadership is about people and goals and you cannot meet goals without understanding and relating to others in an emotionally intelligent manner. This includes:

* Being empathetic: tuning into others and what they are feeling without needing explanation

* Understanding others: recognizing that people are different and their feelings are equally valid

* Dealing with internal politics: identifying where the power alliances are and being able to move smoothly among them

* Mentoring and coaching others: identifying their talents, recognizing and appreciating their accomplishments and helping them to reach their potential

* External customer awareness and service: focusing on the customer and developing trusting relationships in order to interpret their needs, and work within the organization to provide high quality products and services.

Feelings matter and, although we may not be responsible for other people's feelings, we are affected by them and they impact our ability to meet our goals. Therefore, it is critical to learn to understand and manage our own emotions as well as the emotions of the people with whom we interact.

A major challenge for leaders currently is dealing with issues such as change, diversity, flattened organizations, outsourcing, the virtual workplace and the global market. All are areas which require flexibility, adaptability, understanding, and sensitivity to people's emotions in order to achieve the optimum results.

Jean Walker is executive vice president of OI Partners (Portland). She has more than 20 years of experience in education, management and career counseling, and she is author of The Age Advantage: Making the Most of Your Midlife Career Transition. Jean also serves as one of 12 Board Governors from 7 countries of the Institute of Career Certification International. She can be reached at jwalker@oipartners.net or 503-221-8747.

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