How to use emotional intelligence to strengthen our health systems

Emotional intelligence empowers leaders to operate effectively under pressure, build trust, resolve conflicts, and foster collaboration. [iStockphoto]

Emotional intelligence is an essential yet often underestimated competency that has potential to improve leadership and health outcomes.

Research by organisational psychologist Tasha Eurich highlights a critical gap: while 95 per cent of people believe they are self-aware, only 10-15 per cent actually are. This disparity underscores the importance of self-awareness, the cornerstone of emotional intelligence, in fostering effective leadership and team success, particularly in high-stakes environments such as healthcare.