How Emotionally Intelligent Leaders are More Successful in Creating a Loyal Follower Base (Research Paper Sample)

How Emotionally Intelligent Leaders are More Successful in Creating a Loyal Follower Base
Introduction
Leadership is an integral part of the society and more so in workplaces where followers need a directive from a leader. Therefore, it is necessary to have a leader that provides a clear direction for the followers. In this brief, the focus will be about leadership and its importance to the followers. It will also filter out leaders who are emotionally intelligent, scrutinize their characteristics and determine why they are more successful in creating a loyal follower base than those who disregard emotional intelligence. Indeed, emotionally intelligent leaders have displayed better characteristics than their counterparts who out rightly ignore their emotions and those of their followers (Griggs, 2013).
The brief’s main body section will commence by discussing the main characteristics of emotionally intelligent leaders. Such are the main reasons behind the gap between emotionally intelligent leaders and those who do not rely on emotions while leading their followers (Hannah, 2011). The characteristics will be fetched from various educational books and journals, which will be cited accordingly for credibility purposes. Acquiring information from various sources will provide adequate evidence to support the claim that emotionally intelligent leaders are better at their jobs than those who work void of any emotions.
Moreover, the brief will discuss the merits of having emotional intelligence in conducting leadership roles. Such are the advantages that portray the power that emotional intelligence holds over the followers. For example, having emotional intelligence creates a high degree of loyalty from the followers towards the leaders practising these characteristics (Hannah, 2011). Therefore, it is a necessary comparison between the two categories of leaders, emotional and emotionless authoritative figures. The advantages will be detailed to give a proper picture of the true characteristics of emotionally intelligent leaders.
Without a doubt, emotional leaders do display several advantages over those who do not portray such a characteristic, but are there any disadvantages linked to the same category of authoritative figures? The brief will also scrutinize the disadvantages associated with emotionally intelligent leaders. The scrutiny will be a detailed one to provide the other side of letting emotions control the leadership characteristics (Gandz, 2013). Additionally, the brief will describe the effects such disadvantages have on the followers, and whether it affects them negatively or positively. It will also look into suggestions of countering the demerits or negative effects of emotional intelligence. It is crucial to come up with suggestions of countering the negative effects because emotional intelligence has proved to work and its functionality is critical for both leaders and followers (Kano, 2012).
The other area to explore in this brief, which is essentially necessary, is how to enact emotional intelligence in leadership. Like many characters, emotional intelligence in leadership can also be inculcated in leaders. However, is there a possibility that emotional intelligence in leadership is an inborn character? The brief will explore this possibility in the main body section to determine the possibility of this occurrence. In addition, it will determine whether it is a trainable characteristic or not in various categories of leaders (Quick, 2011).
Main Body
Leadership, as aforementioned, is an integral part in the society and many people, in this case the followers, highly depend on it. Abraham Gitlow, in his book, deduces on whether leadership is a consequence of status or an aspect just present in the society. Leadership is a factor reserved for the few to act as guidance to the many. Its importance is unavoidable and is required to have a clear way of executing different functionalities in the society (Hughes, Patterson and Terrell, 2011). This applies to different sectors in the society, which include political arenas, business fields, hospitality sectors and other social divisions. In various sectors, the followers or a higher level of management chooses the leaders. Subsequently, this clearly translates to the followers entrusting them with their trust and highly depend on them for directions in their ventures, may it be political or businesswise. That covers the query stated in the introductory section about the importance of leadership (Fridell, 2009).
Emotionally intelligent leaders portray particular characteristics that tend to filter them from other authoritative figures in the society (Cherniss and Goleman, 2003). In turn, these characteristics make them successful and better than the ones who are emotionally unavailable to their followers. The main characteristics associated with emotionally intelligent leaders include self-awareness. Such leaders have their emotions in check to avoid their uncontrollable nature. Leaders are people often in social situations that require their judgement and emotions can have a great effect on their decision if used wisely. Feeling or having a clue of what the other people feel helps emotionally intelligent leaders know how to approach their followers. For instance, if they are angry because of a particular aspect affecting them, the leaders need to have emotional intelligence to assess how their followers feel. It is extensively crucial for the leader to have an emotional understanding; otherwise, they would ignore the feelings of their followers. Moreover, the leaders would expect their followers to deliver as per the standard expectations. This is unfortunate as it may not happen because the followers’ emotions are not catered for and their productivity may be compromised. However, it is possible that catering for the emotions of the followers may have tremendous effects on them, as most likely they will feel appreciated and important.
An emotionally intelligent leader has a cap for keeping his emotions under control, an attribute commonly known as self-regulation. It is evident that leaders once in a while may confront their followers to the extent of disagreements, but it is necessary for both parties to avoid their emotions from running wild. Hence, it is the leaders’ duty to regulate their emotions and avoid attacking their followers, taking irrational decisions based on their feelings, or compromise their image. What would happen if a leader loses control of their emotions in the presence of their followers? Most likely, they would lose credibility and authority towards their followers, making them seem weak and unfit for the position (David, 2013).
Self-motivation is yet another key element portrayed in authoritative figures who have mastered emotional intelligence in their leadership roles. Harm, defeat, or setbacks are unfortunate events that leaders face in their roles, but the aftermath is the most essential aspect they should prepare to handle efficiently. Followers depend on their leaders for direction, especially following an unexpected event that often leads to confusion (Higgs, 2003). Therefore, the leaders need to deliver their followers, which is a step that requires motivation as a source of strength. Self-motivated leaders have proven to be emotionally intelligent in their functionality. They source their motivation in unique ways, for example, taking the time to re-examine their actions prior to the disastrous event that left the followers confused. Looking at past mistakes helps such leaders avoid future ones, and act in full functionality and motivation.
Showing empathy in their work is an additional trait that emotionally intelligent leaders display in their positions. Being empathetic is not an easy task as it requires one to imagine being in another person’s situation. The reason behind that is to feel the other person’s misery and formulate solutions bound to terminate their oppressions. Followers find themselves in unexpected positions, and their frustration begins. On the contrary, leaders expect the followers to accomplish their duties and provide substantial results, which is almost impossible when they are suffering. It is essential that a leader comprehends their follower’s emotions because it helps both parties attain a common solution for the looming problem (Stevens, 2013). Moreover, leaders who empathise with their followers lack any high expectations of them. This creates an understandable relationship between the two concerned parties and reduces chances of conflict or oppression.
Leaders need to give their followers a chance to pitch their ideologies and consider their needs prior to establishing a decision that may affect their subordinate’s functionality. As such, leaders need to have exceptional social skills that allow ease of communication between them and their followers. Emotionally intelligent leaders often display this skill as they interact with their followers (Hall and Janman, 2010). In turn, this provides a clear channel of communication between the two parties making it easy for the flow of ideas and information. This is of immense importance to both parties as leaders show their fitness for the job while followers’ functionality and productivity are enhanced through the shared ideas. All the aforementioned traits are absent in leaders that do not practice emotional intelligence, which guarantees success to those that apply it in their roles and responsibilities.
David Ryback (2012) states that emotional intelligence exists for several reasons and has numerous advantages that can be of benefit to both leaders and their followers. Emotional intelligence, as mentioned, makes leaders who practice it more successful than those who work without implementing it. One of the merits of implementing it among l...