Team members want to feel heard and valued. Research shows that leaders who continuously lead with empathy and emotional intelligence are rated as the best time and time again. Today I'll give you practical tips on how to strengthen your empathy and EQ.

Reluctance to lead doesn’t mean someone can’t lead. And it doesn’t mean they won’t lead. RTL describes a form of ambivalence—someone may feel both drawn to leadership and cautious about it. They care deeply. They want to serve. But they’re hesitant about the power, responsibility, and spotlight that come with the role. Reluctance, when balanced, can actually signal maturity, depth, and emotional intelligence—not weakness.

Whether you're managing sideways across departments, leading from the middle, or just trying to make things move in a matrixed organization—your ability to influence others is what determines your real power. But here’s the twist: influence doesn’t come from control. It comes from connection—and connection is built on your meta skills. These are the power skills that separate competent managers from truly effective leaders: emotional intelligence, empathy, trust-building, and