Why Social and Emotional Intelligence Is the Skill Leaders Can’t Afford to Ignore
We’ve all seen it before: the brilliant manager who knows the numbers inside and out but loses their cool the second a deadline is missed. Or the team member who quietly delivers quality work but struggles to influence or collaborate because no one quite trusts them.
It’s not a lack of technical expertise that holds these people back - it’s a lack of social and emotional intelligence (SEI).
And here’s the good news: unlike IQ, which is pretty much fixed, SEI is a skill set that can be learned, strengthened, and practiced.
As a certified Social and Emotional Intelligence Coach, I work with individuals and teams to build the exact skills that fuel success in work, leadership, and life.
So, what is social and emotional intelligence?
At its core, SEI is about being aware - of yourself, of others, and of the way you show up in the moment. And then using that awareness to manage your behavior, your reactions, and your relationships.
These skills show up everywhere in our daily work lives:
Managing stress and staying resilient when things get tough
Navigating conflict productively instead of avoiding it—or exploding over it
Building trust and strengthening relationships across an organization
Influencing others with confidence and clarity
Leading change with vision and collaboration
When these skills are missing, we feel it immediately. But when they’re strong, people thrive, teams perform better, and organizations grow.
How I help clients build SEI
I don’t believe in cookie-cutter coaching. That’s why we start with the Social + Emotional Intelligence Profile® (SEIP)—the most comprehensive SEI assessment available. This tool measures 26 different SEI competencies and gives us a clear picture of both strengths and growth opportunities.
From there, we build a customized development plan. Over the course of our work together, we focus on strengthening the skills that matter most to your leadership and your goals. Along the way, I provide practical tools, worksheets, and real-life strategies you can start applying immediately.
This isn’t theory—it’s action.
Options for individuals and organizations
1:1 Coaching
A personalized, six-month (or longer) coaching engagement designed to help you grow your SEI skills and apply them directly to your leadership, relationships, and career.Team Workshops & Trainings
From one-hour lunch-and-learns to half-day or full-day sessions, I bring SEI training directly to your organization. Topics range from stress management and resilience to conflict resolution, teamwork, and trust-building. Each session is interactive, practical, and designed to stick.Assessments Only
If you want a clear snapshot of your SEI strengths and blind spots, the SEIP can be offered as a stand-alone assessment (with or without coaching debrief).
Why it matters now
Leaders and organizations that prioritize social and emotional intelligence see measurable results: higher employee engagement, stronger collaboration, reduced turnover, and even better profitability.
But on an individual level? SEI means more confidence, less stress, and relationships that actually work—inside and outside of the office.
And the best part? It’s never too late to grow these skills.
Ready to build your SEI?
If you’re curious about how social and emotional intelligence coaching or training could support you or your team, let’s talk. I’d love to share more about how this work can help you thrive at work and in life.
