How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Emotional Intelligence & Empathy: Our Leadership Superpower
As women, our naturally high
Who are we developing? Think back
emotional intelligence and empathy
on our discussion about your
set us apart as leaders.
leadership philosophy. Brene Brown defines a leader as a person who
What exactly is EQ, or emotional
develops others. To connect with
intelligence? It’s exactly what it
other human beings, we must have a
sounds like. The ability to sense and
strong, intuitive sense of what they are
match the emotions of others around
feeling – i.e. Emotional Intelligence.
us. EQ has emerged as more highly correlated with successful leadership
Take it one step further. What is
than IQ (1). Why, you ask?
empathy? In essence, it’s our ability to put ourselves in another’s shoes. To
Leadership is about people. Without
see and feel through their eyes and
other people, who are we leading?
heart. EQ is the basic ability to sense
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
and match emotions. Empathy is
This is exactly what EQ and empathy
seeing and feeling what the other sees
are all about. Our ability to sense the
and feels. Both EQ and empathy are
emotions of others, put ourselves in
essential qualities in an effective
their shoes, and sense what they need
leader and help us to sense what
in that moment.
others want and need. As leaders, people remember how we Think about the leaders you have
make them feel. If what we’re saying
worked with in your life. Who stands
and doesn’t match up with not only
out to you as having high emotional
our actions, but the intent and
intelligence and empathy? What is it
emotion behind our actions, people
about this leader that makes this
can sense this. Human beings have an
individual stand out to you? How does
intuitive sense when another human is
this leader make you feel?
aligned, and authentic. And human beings have a gut sense when another
Now think about a leader in your
human is not.
career who does not have high emotional intelligence or empathy.
This week, begin by noticing and
What stands out to you about this
naming the emotions of those around
leader? How does this leader make
you.
you feel?
What are their emotions? What do they need in that
Maya Angelou famously said, “I've
moment?
learned that people will forget what
What is your level of empathy in
you said, people will forget what you
that moment?
did, but people will never forget how
What do you notice about the
you made them feel.”
impact of their emotions on you?
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
What emotions are you experiencing in response? Notice the thoughts you have as you sense the emotions of those around you. Notice how your thoughts drive your own emotions, and your actions. References 1) Goleman, Daniel. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Random House Publishing, 2005.
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC