The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in #EdLeadership

​The summer months have started. It is always a transition time for all of us.  A time to reflect, a time to process, a time to recharge, and a time to get ready to start another year.  When you have kids, even when you aren't in the education sector, you tend to operate around your kid's schedule. In one week we will fly to San Diego for some vacation, but mainly to watch Bailey, my youngest daughter, play volleyball. It will be filled with hiking in the mornings, chilling on the beach, and well, volleyball. This month is also a month of transition.  Mr. Evans, who has spent the last five years here in Omaha Public Schools transforming the district, will be retiring.  Dr. Logan is transitioning here to Omaha, moving from the Philidelphia/Maryland region.  This transition feels so much better than the turmoil that resulted in three candidates backing out of the Superintendent's position one year ago.  

​Dr. Logan suggested a couple of books for Executive Council to read for our professional development.  If you read my blog posts, you know I love to read, #1ChapterADay usually. Primal Leadership has been the first on the list.  If I had to summarize the book, I would say it is a deep dive into the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership.  It breaks emotional intelligence down into four domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.  What I enjoyed about the book was it introduced some great examples and breaks the content down into bite-sized portions, what I call "brain food."  Below are my bite sized reflections of each chapter broken down into a graphic or what I call a "quoture." 

Where does this fit me personally?

​If I had to place where my strengths fit into the leadership repertoire, in chapter four, I would select visionary and an equal mixture of democratic and affiliative. Just take a look at my Gallup Strengthsfinder:

​The combinations of futuristic and strategic lend themselves to the visionary type of leadership.  Throw in woo, and you begin to see the linking of an affiliative kind of leadership.  I think if you mix strategic and woo you would see democratic, but if you look at my entire ten strengthsfinder strengths, relationship strength is not one of them. 

​In closing, this was a great read.  As the chapters continued, the content drove deeper into meaning and connections within yourself and how you approach and engage with others.  Chapter one of this book delivers it best: 

• "GREAT LEADERS move us. They ignite our passion and inspire the best in us. But the reality is much more primal: Great leadership works through the emotions."

Being a positive leader results in resonance leadership. The importance of a continuous learning path for leaders is tremendous, this is outlined in chapter eight in learning agendas for your staff and yourself. The notes I took for this book in OneNote I will utilize for years to come.  A special thanks to Dr. Logan for suggesting.