Leadership is often viewed through the lens of strategy, decision-making, productivity, and results, but Rev. Michael Sgro, CPBC, emphasizes a crucial yet often overlooked aspect: leadership is an active emotional event. In his experience, work with leaders and organizations, Coach Sgro highlights how emotions are at the core of effective leadership, shaping both the leader's experience and their impact on others. Here are five key insights on leadership as an emotional experience.
1. Leadership Starts with Self-Awareness
Effective leadership begins with emotional awareness of oneself. A leader must be in tune with their own emotional state to lead authentically and with purpose. By understanding their strengths, vulnerabilities, and emotional triggers, leaders can navigate challenges and lead with integrity. Self-awareness allows leaders to manage their emotional responses, making them more resilient and responsive to the needs of their team.
2. Emotions Are Contagious
As Sgro points out, emotions are contagious. A leader's emotional state can significantly influence the mood and performance of the entire team. Positive emotions like optimism, confidence, and empathy can inspire and motivate, while negative emotions like frustration or anxiety can demoralize and create a toxic environment. Great leaders understand the power of their emotional energy and strive to cultivate a positive atmosphere that encourages growth and collaboration.
3. Leadership is Relationship-Centric
Leadership is fundamentally relational, and emotions play a critical role in building and maintaining trust. Leaders who are emotionally intelligent can connect with their team members on a deeper level, understanding their needs, challenges, and aspirations. By fostering strong, emotionally supportive relationships, leaders create an environment where people feel valued, heard, and motivated to give their best. Coach Sgro says,"The person that tells the truth the fastest is the LEADER."
4. Emotional Intelligence is a Leadership Skill
Coach Sgro stresses that emotional intelligence (EQ) is just as important, if not more, than intellectual intelligence (IQ) in leadership. A leader with high EQ can read emotional cues, manage interpersonal dynamics, and resolve conflicts with empathy and tact. This skill is essential for navigating the complex emotions that arise in the workplace, from high-pressure moments to interpersonal tensions. Leaders with strong EQ create more cohesive teams and better decision-making environments.
5. Leadership Requires Emotional Courage
Lastly, Coach Sgro highlights that leadership demands emotional courage—the ability to confront difficult emotions and uncomfortable situations head-on. Whether it’s delivering tough feedback, navigating conflict, or making unpopular decisions, a leader must be willing to embrace vulnerability and uncertainty. Leaders who exhibit emotional courage inspire trust and respect, as they show their team that they are willing to face challenges together, not shy away from them.
It has been the experience of Coach Sgro that the person with the most relationships at work, is the leader of the culture. Those of us who cultivate relationships on the daily, are more trustworthy, have experience in using peace making skills and reach vulnerability with people in order to speak the truth.
Conclusion
Coach Sgro’s perspective on leadership as an emotional event emphasizes that great leadership goes beyond intellect and strategy—it requires emotional awareness, intelligence, and courage. Leaders who understand the emotional dynamics at play in their teams and within themselves are better equipped to inspire, connect, and lead with purpose. As the workplace continues to evolve, emotional intelligence will remain a cornerstone of effective leadership.
