HARD skills are never enough; therefore, the leader has to intentionally invest in emotional intelligence. Daniel Goleman, an author and guru on emotional intelligence, said, “IQ and technical skills are important, but emotional intelligence is the sine qua non of leadership.”
In this instalment, our columnist Jonah Nyoni (ND) speaks to Mercy Matsika (MM), an entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, and passionate advocate for leadership development and women’s empowerment, on how emotional intelligence feeds into strategic leadership. Find excerpts below:
ND: Why is emotional intelligence important to (and for) a leader?
MM: Emotional intelligence is the silent engine behind great leadership. It enables a leader to connect, influence and inspire. An emotionally-intelligent leader is not just managing tasks; they are managing people, energy and emotions. When a leader is self-aware, empathetic and emotionally grounded, they’re better positioned to build trust, handle pressure and respond to challenges with clarity rather than chaos. In today’s dynamic world, technical skills get you in the room, but emotional intelligence keeps you relevant and effective.
ND: What is emotional intelligence and how relevant is it in the leadership space?
MM: Well, in my understanding and also being a therapist, I believe emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand and manage your emotions, while also recognising and influencing the emotions of others. In the leadership space, it's not just a soft skill; it's a competitive and strategic advantage. It determines how well you lead under pressure, how you build relationships and how you create psychologically safe environments. Especially in a people-centric world, leaders must go beyond IQ and embrace EQ to drive performance, engagement and innovation.
ND: Effective communication must feed into the feedback loop. What is effective communication and does it dovetail with emotional intelligence?
MM: Effective communication is not just about talking, it's about connecting, listening actively and understanding the emotional undertones behind the words. It’s intentional, empathetic and clear. Emotional intelligence gives leaders the ability to communicate in ways that resonate with different personalities and emotional states. Without emotional intelligence, communication becomes robotic or even toxic. With it, communication becomes a tool for alignment, clarity, exchange of meaning, incubation and interlocution of ideas and collaboration, forming a healthy feedback loop where growth thrives.
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ND: How does emotional intelligence feed into strategic leadership and in setting the general direction and tone (and culture) of an organisation?
MM: Strategic leadership is more than planning; it's about people, purpose and presence. Emotional intelligence empowers leaders to sense the emotional climate of an organisation and use that insight to shape a vision that inspires. It helps leaders to lead with authenticity, respond to resistance wisely and foster a culture of trust, resilience, and innovation. An emotionally intelligent leader sets a tone that values results and relationships, leading not only from the head, but also from the heart.
ND: A leader is there for decision-making. However, as we make decisions, we should take note of our emotions. How does emotional intelligence play a part in decision-making?
MM: Every decision carries emotional weight, whether it's change, loss, risk, or gain. Emotional intelligence helps leaders assess not just the data, but also the emotional impact of a decision. It gives a leader the capacity to pause, reflect and consider the broader human implications. This reduces impulsiveness and reactive leadership. Emotionally intelligent decision-makers are more balanced, fair and courageous because they lead with both empathy and insight.
ND: Team effectiveness is crucial in fostering a collaborative effort. How important is emotional intelligence in building effective teams?
MM: Emotionally intelligent leaders create emotionally intelligent teams. Such teams communicate openly, handle conflict constructively and respect diversity. Emotional intelligence fosters empathy, humility and a willingness to listen, cornerstones of true collaboration. It allows teams to thrive under pressure, adapt to change and remain united around a shared purpose. At Megafest and through Motivate Women’s Forum, we’ve seen that where emotional intelligence is nurtured, excellence follows.
