My Poised Power Perspective™ on Leadership.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Poised Power Perspective!

In our last issue, we explored Overthinking Unplugged: How SIGMA-INFJs Lead with Poised Power™, diving into how overthinking can be transformed into a strength for visionary leaders.

Don't worry if you missed it; you can check it out here. We hope you find these insights valuable as you continue evolving your leadership style with clarity, purpose, and Poised Power™.

Leadership isn't just about strategy and vision; it's about the art of human connection. The most influential leaders distinguish themselves not by their power but by their ability to deeply understand, skillfully manage, and strategically channel their own and others' emotions.

Emotional intelligence (EI) isn't a soft skill; it's the bedrock of poised yet impactful leadership, enabling you to inspire action and build lasting loyalty while staying true to your core purpose. This article delves into how leaders, particularly those with the insightful nature of SIGMA-INFJs, can leverage emotional intelligence – the neural foundation of effective influence – to cultivate an authentic presence, achieve enduring impact, and command a quiet, compelling authority.

The S.I.G.M.A. Framework: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

S – Strategic Self-Awareness: Great leaders start with knowing themselves. Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence, helping you recognize your triggers, strengths, and areas for growth. SIGMAs excel at reflecting deeply, which allows them to lead with authenticity.

I – Intentional Empathy: Empathy is more than understanding others—it’s about using that understanding to inspire and influence. As a SIGMA-INFJ, your natural ability to connect emotionally with others gives you a unique edge in building trust and fostering collaboration.

G – Grace Under Pressure: Leadership comes with challenges, and maintaining emotional balance during high-stress situations is key. SIGMAs thrive in moments of adversity by staying composed and channeling their emotions into solutions.

M – Mastering Emotional Regulation: Leaders with high EI know how to manage their emotions effectively. Whether staying calm during a heated discussion or motivating a team through a setback, emotional regulation keeps you poised and powerful.

A – Adaptive Leadership: Flexibility is essential in today’s ever-changing world. Emotional intelligence enables you to adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of diverse teams and situations, ensuring your impact remains consistent.

The I.N.F.J. Perspective: Emotional Intelligence as Poised Power™

I—Introverted Depth: Your introverted nature allows you to process emotions deeply, allowing you to approach challenges with thoughtfulness and care. Use this strength to make decisions that align with your values.

N – Navigating Complex Emotions: INFJs are adept at navigating both their own emotions and those of others. This ability to “read the room” makes you a robust connector and communicator.

F – Fostering Authentic Relationships: Your focus on authenticity helps you foster genuine relationships. Leading with empathy and integrity creates an environment where others feel seen, heard, and valued.

J—Judicious Decision-Making: Your structured approach to leadership ensures that emotional intelligence is not just about connection but also about making fair, balanced, and impactful decisions. Rewire overthinking with Poised Power™.

Practical Tools for Mastering Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is not a fixed trait; it's a set of skills that can be developed and honed. Here are actionable strategies to enhance your emotional intelligence as a leader:

• Practice Emotional Check-Ins: Take five minutes each day (or even multiple times a day) to intentionally reflect on your emotional state. This isn't just about identifying a surface-level emotion like "happy" or "sad." Dig deeper. Ask yourself:

- What am I feeling specifically? (e.g., "anxious," "frustrated," "energized," "content")

- Why am I feeling this way? (Identify the triggers or sources of the emotion.)

- How is this emotion impacting my thoughts and behaviors?

- How can I channel this emotion productively? (e.g., use anger to fuel problem-solving, use excitement to motivate the team)

Neuropsychological Perspective: Regular emotional check-ins increase self-awareness by strengthening the connection between the prefrontal cortex (responsible for self-regulation) and the limbic system (where emotions are processed).

• Use Active Listening: When engaging with your team, focus on genuinely hearing their concerns without interrupting. This goes beyond simply waiting for your turn to speak. Pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues (body language, tone of voice). Paraphrase their points to show understanding and validate their feelings. Ask clarifying questions to ensure you're grasping the full context. Avoid jumping to solutions or offering advice prematurely.

Neuropsychological Perspective: Active listening builds trust and rapport by activating mirror neurons in the listener's brain, fostering empathy and creating a sense of connection.

• Regulate with Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or even a brief body scan, to stay present and grounded during stressful moments. Mindfulness isn't about suppressing emotions but observing them without judgment. These techniques help regulate the nervous system, reducing the intensity of stress responses. Regular practice improves focus, emotional control, and resilience.

Neuropsychological Perspective: Mindfulness practices have been shown to increase gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, improving self-regulation and attention.

• Empathy Mapping: Visualize others' perspectives by asking, "What are they thinking? Feeling? Experiencing?" This practice helps you connect and respond with compassion, fostering stronger relationships and more effective communication. Consider their background, experiences, and current circumstances. Try to imagine their emotional landscape. This exercise helps you move beyond your own perspective and understand the "why" behind their actions.

Neuropsychological Perspective: Empathy activates mirror neurons, allowing you to "feel" what others are feeling and fostering a deeper understanding of their needs and motivations.

• Develop an Emotional Vocabulary: Expand your ability to articulate emotions by learning nuanced terms (e.g., “overwhelmed” vs. “stressed,” “disappointed” vs. “angry”). This clarity enhances communication, self-awareness, and your ability to perceive and understand the emotions of others accurately. The ability to label emotions precisely improves your capacity to manage them effectively. It also allows you to communicate your needs and feelings more clearly to others.

Neuropsychological Perspective: Developing a rich emotional vocabulary strengthens the prefrontal cortex's ability to process and regulate emotional responses.

Why Emotional Intelligence is Key for SIGMA-INFJs

For SIGMA-INFJs, emotional intelligence is not just a skill—it’s a superpower that can be amplified and strategically applied. Your ability to lead with empathy, navigate complexity, and inspire others through quiet authority makes you uniquely suited to thrive in leadership roles.

• Empathy as a Foundation: SIGMA-INFJs possess a natural inclination towards empathy, deeply understanding the emotions and motivations of others. This is a powerful asset in building trust and fostering strong team relationships.
• Intuition and Insight: Your intuitive nature allows you to perceive subtle emotional cues and understand the underlying dynamics within a team or organization. This provides a strategic advantage in conflict resolution and building a cohesive vision.
• Navigating Complexity: SIGMA-INFJs excel at seeing connections and understanding complex systems. This ability translates to navigating the intricacies of human interactions and organizational challenges with grace and effectiveness.
• Inspiring Through Authenticity: Your quiet authority and genuine care for others create a powerful sense of influence. You inspire through authenticity and integrity, building loyalty and commitment.

By mastering emotional intelligence, you amplify your natural strengths and create a lasting, transformative impact. You leverage your unique gifts to lead with both heart and mind.

Emotional intelligence doesn’t just enhance leadership—it defines it for poised leaders. Whether you identify as a SIGMA-INFJ or not, the ability to master your emotions is a transformative tool for clarity, connection, and impactful leadership.

I’d love to hear from you. Which of these emotional intelligence practices resonates most with you? How do you leverage your unique leadership strengths to inspire and influence others?

📖 Let’s continue this conversation in the comment section below. Together, we can inspire one another to lead with Poised Power™.

✨ Lead with Poise. Think with Depth. Impact with Purpose.

Xo! Xo!

EK.✌🏽🙏🏽