The answer is rarely what you think it is.
Twenty years ago, I was promoted to the board of a global PR firm. I thought I’d made it.
➜ Global clients
➜ A beautiful office in Covent Garden
➜ A seat at the table where decisions were made
But behind the elevated title, I was drowning.
I had a baby at home and an endless sea of deadlines at work.
The Hard Truth About Leadership
I spent so much time thinking about how to replace myself at home on the days I worked…
But I hadn’t done the same thinking for my department when I worked remotely.
What did I notice?
➜ The account directors around me were technically exceptional, but emotionally? Absent.
➜ These brilliant strategists struggled to lead their teams without me right there.
The Problem Wasn’t Them—It Was Me
Have you ever worked with people like this?
Brilliant professionals who can handle the technical demands of their role but struggle to connect or inspire?
One brilliant account director stands out in my memory.
Their inability to connect emotionally left the team disengaged, uninspired, and struggling to thrive.
Plot twist: It wasn’t their fault—it was mine.
They weren’t equipped.
No one had taught them the one skill that matters most in leadership:
Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
Why EQ Is the Key to Leadership Success
Without EQ, even the most competent careerists fail to lead effectively.
With EQ, everything changes.
➜ It builds trust and inspires collaborative action
➜ It keeps you calm under pressure and thinking clearly
➜ It helps you develop others and creates thriving teams—not just surviving ones
EQ Is Not a “Soft” Skill—It’s a Core Skill
EQ is the difference between a team that barely gets by and one that moves mountains.
After decades in business, here’s the one pattern I’ve realised (and wish I’d learned earlier):
➜ There is NO shortcut to mastering these skills
➜ But they are learnable—and teachable
Your Reflection: Are You Equipped to Lead?
If your career—or your team—aren’t where you need them to be, ask yourself:
➜ Are you (and your key players) properly equipped?
➜ Are you ready to invest in what really matters?
These questions are critical because a lack of EQ doesn’t just hold individuals back—it holds entire teams and organisations back too.
Where I Come In
In my experience as a leader, this is where EQ begins—over a cup of tea, reflecting on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what needs to change.
If you’re ready to equip yourself and your team for meaningful growth, it might be time to put the kettle on—let’s chat.
