LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
KNOWING YOUR EI
LEAD ON:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SBLS
S
Leadership is no longer just about making strategic decisions and enforcing policies. Here, RUSSELL DALTON explores the core elements of emotional intelligence and how it can impact your management style
uccessful leaders must possess high levels of emotional intelligence (EI) to effectively manage teams, build strong relationships and drive organisational success. EI plays a pivotal role in leadership development, influencing how leaders perceive and manage their own emotions and those of
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Summer Term 2025: Issue 3
others. For school business leaders (SBLs), EI is especially crucial. SBLs work within complex educational settings where they must balance financial management, human resources and operational efficiency while fostering a positive school culture. By developing their EI, SBLs
can improve communication, resolve conflicts and lead with empathy and resilience. This article explores the five key areas of EI - self-awareness, selfregulation, motivation, empathy and social skills - and how SBLs can utilise these areas to become more effective leaders and build stronger teams.