Get a grip on your emotions.

Question #1. What was it that brought Howard Dean's political career to a screeching halt?

Question #2: What is one of the attributes that sets John McCain apart from his opponents?

Answer: Their emotions. Or more specifically, their capacity to control their emotions rather than being at the mercy of their emotions. (Undoubtedly, being a prisoner of war for five years has something to do with McCain's composure!)

We can't imagine a US President losing his cool, stomping his feet, or becoming unduly upset under stress and pressure. But having the "right stuff" is just as important for leaders at all levels within the for-profit and non-profit sectors. What IS that "right stuff?" 

Effective leaders everywhere are alike in one crucial way:  they all have a high degree of emotional intelligence, the capacity for recognizing their own feelings and those of others, for motivating themselves, and for managing emotions well in themselves and in their relationships. Daniel Goleman is the guru of EQ. He brought his research to the masses in the 90's with his book, Working With Emotional Intelligence. 

Check yourself. How do you stack up as a leader when it comes to the five components of emotional intelligence?

#1. How self-aware are you, with the ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others?

#2. Can you control or redirect any disruptive impulses and moods, suspending judgment, thinking before acting?

#3. Are you motivated, with a passion to work for reasons that go beyond money or status, and pursue goals with energy and persistence?

#4. Are you empathetic, with the ability to understand the emotional makeup of other people?

#5. Are you proficient in managing relationships and building networks, finding common ground and building rapport?

How'd you do? Regardless of your honest self-assessment, the good news is that emotional intelligence (EQ) can be learned. Its elements can be identified, assessed and upgraded. These skills are no longer "nice to have:" they are ingredients that business leaders "need to have." They are the "right stuff."

photo on flickr by cayusa