HAME501: Becoming a Powerful Leader

Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

Tool: Emotional Intelligence

One concept that is central to your success as a leader is your emotional intelligence. In
essence, this derives from several competencies working together—all of which impact
your interpersonal relations.

As you review each of these competencies, consider your ability to foster each trait and
any opportunities for growth.

Personal competence is your self-management and self-awareness skills. It reflects

your ability to be aware of emotions and manage your reactions to what happens to
you.

 Self-awareness is your ability to accurately perceive your emotions and stay aware
of them as they happen. People with a healthy sense of self-awareness are
comfortable in their own skin. They understand their strengths, weaknesses,
emotions, and impact on others. One of the most telling signs of self-awareness is
how well a person responds to constructive criticism.

 Self-management or self-regulation is your ability to use awareness of your emotions

to stay flexible and positively direct your behavior. Not only do the emotionally
intelligent understand their emotions, but also they can demonstrate maturity and
restraint when revealing them. They do not squelch their feelings, instead
expressing them in a manner that shows a high level of judgment and control.

 Motivation is a strong inner drive, not simply money or titles. Managers who possess
motivation are resilient and optimistic when faced with disappointments. It takes a lot
to break their spirit or thwart their confidence.

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 HAME501: Becoming a Powerful Leader
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

Social competence is made up of your social awareness and relationship management

skills; social competence is your ability to understand other people’s moods, behavior,
and motives in order to improve the quality of your relationships.

 Social awareness is your ability to accurately pick up on emotions in other people

and understand what is really going on, such as your ability to express empathy.

o Empathy—Managers with empathy are not necessarily easy on their staff.

They do, however, possess the compassion and understanding of human
nature that enables them to connect emotionally with others. Empathy allows
them to provide stellar customer service and respond genuinely to an
employee’s frustration or concern.

 Relationship management is your ability to use awareness of your emotions and

others’ emotions to manage interactions successfully. They possess people skills.

o People skills—Emotionally intelligent managers are widely respected by their

bosses, peers, and employees. They like people and are savvy enough to
know what makes them tick. Their ability to quickly build rapport and trust with
those upon whom they depend seems almost second nature. Power wars,
backbiting, and duplicity are not their style.

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 HAME501: Becoming a Powerful Leader
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

After reviewing the key elements of emotional intelligence, it can be helpful to assess
where you stand. Review each statement in the grid below to assess your emotional
intelligence. Check all that apply, then follow the directions below to interpret your
results.

Check all
Emotional Intelligence Assessment
that apply

1. I understand my strengths and weaknesses.

2. I am comfortable with change and open to novel ideas.

3. I am motivated by the satisfaction of meeting my own standards of

excellence.

4. I stay optimistic when things go wrong.

5. I see things from another person's point of view and sense what
matters most to that person.

6. I let employees' needs determine how I serve them.

7. I enjoy helping co-workers develop their skills.

8. I read office politics accurately.

9. I am able to find win-win solutions in negotiations and conflicts.

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 HAME501: Becoming a Powerful Leader
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

10. I am the kind of person other people want on their team and I
enjoy collaborating with others.

11. I am usually persuasive.

Add up the number of statements that apply to you. How did you score?

Answering yes to 6 or more of the emotional intelligence skill items indicates that you
are working well.

Do you have more than 5 questions to which you answered no? Do people who know
you well agree with your high number of negative scores? If so, what can you do to
change and improve your emotional score?

Note any action you plan to take to maintain or increase your competencies in this area.

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