For this month’s column, HR consultant Gemma Crane, Founder of Mindset HR, explores emotional intelligence – and explains why it matters, more than ever
I still remember the moment it clicked. It was a Monday morning. The kind where everything’s moving a bit too fast, and your coffee never quite kicks in. I’d just finished a tough meeting – one of those ones where tensions are high, voices a little louder than they need to be. I walked out, sat at my desk, and thought: Why did that feel so off? The strategy was sound. The goals were clear. But the room? It was heavy.
And that’s when I realised – it wasn’t about what we were saying. It was about how we were showing up.
Have you ever felt that shift? That moment when you sense something’s not quite right in a conversation – not because the words were wrong, but because the energy was?
That’s emotional intelligence.
And it’s why, as a business, our values – Trust, Transparency, Positivity, Collaboration, and Community – aren’t just words on a poster. They’re lived. Breathed. Felt. They’re emotional intelligence in action.
So, What Is Emotional Intelligence, really?
If you’re not familiar with the term, emotional intelligence (or EQ) is your ability to recognise and manage your own emotions – and also tune into and influence the emotions of others.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman broke it down into five key parts that changed the way I work and live:
- Self-awareness: Knowing how you feel and how that’s impacting your day.
- Self-regulation: Catching the spiral before it takes over.
- Motivation: Staying lit up by purpose – even when it’s tough.
- Empathy: Feeling what others are feeling and acting with care.
- Social skills: Communicating with intention and heart.
It’s the difference between reacting and responding. Between leading and connecting.
Why It Matters, More Than Ever
In business, emotional intelligence isn’t just an added bonus, it’s a powerful driver of real lasting success.
Strong, trust-led leadership
Leaders with EQ inspire those around them. They keep their cool, make space for people to be heard, and bring teams together even when the pressure’s on.
Teamwork that feels like teamwork
When teams know how to really listen, empathise, and communicate with clarity, magic happens. People feel seen. Collaboration and innovation flows
Resilience over burnout
Let’s be honest, we all have a lot to deal with. But when emotional regulation becomes a collective mindset, people bounce back faster, stress less, and stay focused longer. It’s how we protect performance and wellbeing.
Wiser decisions
EQ means slowing down just enough to reflect. To ask: Is this the right move for the people involved? It brings depth to decisions and humanity to strategy.
And yes, better relationships with clients too
EQ helps us meet people where they are. To read the room. To understand what matters to them and build trust that lasts beyond the contract.
And here’s the good news…
You don’t have to be born with EQ. It’s something we can all grow, with the right support and mindset.
In fact, we support businesses in building it every day, through:
- Workshops on communication, resilience and empathy
- Leadership coaching that’s rooted in mindset and mindfulness
- Creating feedback cultures that are open, honest, and supportive
- Recognising emotional wins, not just task completions
What I’ve Learned
If there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again, it’s this:
The smartest strategy in the world won’t land if the people behind it aren’t emotionally equipped.
But when you build a workplace where emotional intelligence is nurtured, the shift is profound. People feel safer. Performance rises. Teams trust each other – and themselves – more deeply.
And that’s when your values stop being buzzwords and start becoming the heartbeat of your culture.
So, let me ask you…
Have you checked in on your emotional intelligence lately?
If you’re curious about how to grow it across your team, I’d love to talk. We offer practical, down-to-earth EQ workshops – face-to-face or virtual – and they’re designed to create real change, not just tick a training box.
You deserve a team that thrives. And that starts from within.
Visit Mindset HR
Featured image by Rob Dodsworth at Brand Studio
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