The Empathy Gap: Why Forbes is Warning Leaders to Stop “Business as Usual”
TLDR: A February 2026 report in Forbes by Bryan Robinson identifies a critical “Empathy Gap” in modern leadership, where 60% of CEOs view empathy as a perk rather than a necessity. This disconnect is particularly damaging during periods of external stress or national trauma, where the expectation of “business as usual” erodes employee trust. Growth […]
The Ledge: Mastering the Cognitive Pause for Professional Self-Control
TLDR: “The Ledge” is a specific psychological intervention tool used within the Emotional Intelligence (EI): From Awareness to Action framework to facilitate emotional self-control. It functions as a cognitive “pause” between an emotional stimulus and a behavioral response, designed to reduce impulsive outbursts in high-pressure professional environments. Research indicates that this technique leverages the “space […]
The High-Performance Quotient: Why Emotional Intelligence is the Executive Edge for 2026
TLDR: Emotional Intelligence (EI) has transitioned from a general workplace “soft skill” into a measurable Personal Mastery competency essential for high-performance leadership in 2026. This framework, titled “Emotional Intelligence: From Awareness to Action,” focuses on moving beyond theory into tactical implementation across four domains: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management. By utilizing specific tools […]
Emotional Intelligence at Work: Why EQ Matters More Than IQ in South African Workplaces
Your technical skills got you the job. Your emotional intelligence will determine how far you go. That’s the reality of professional success in 2026. And nowhere is this truer than in South Africa’s complex, multicultural, high-pressure work environments. You can be the smartest person in the room and still fail at work. Why? Because intelligence […]
The 5 Essential Tools Every Emotionally Intelligent Leader Needs (And How to Use Them)
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek It was 2:47 PM on a Thursday when Sarah, a regional sales manager in Johannesburg, received the email. Her top performer was resigning, effective immediately. Load shedding had just kicked in. Her boss wanted the quarterly […]
Resilient Sales Teams: How Emotional Intelligence Builds Mental Toughness in 2026
Sales professionals today are navigating one of the most unpredictable business environments in recent memory. Between load shedding disrupting meetings, clients delaying budgets, and the constant race to meet targets, the sales floor can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Traditional training focuses on product knowledge and closing techniques, but in 2026, that’s not enough. What […]
Emotional Intelligence For Salespeople: The Secret To Closing More Deals In South Africa’s Competitive Market
“IQ gets you hired, but EQ gets you promoted, and in sales, it gets you the deal.” Adapted from Daniel Goleman Meet Sarah and John. Both are sales representatives at the same company, selling the same product at the same price to similar prospects. They attend the same training sessions, use the same CRM, and […]
Brain + Heart: Emotional Intelligence (EI) in an AI-Dominated World
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global workforce, the need for emotional intelligence (EI) has become more pressing than ever. In a world where machines can process data faster than any human, the unique ability to connect, empathise, and lead with emotional insight remains distinctly human. South African organisations, especially as they aim to remain globally competitive across diverse cultural contexts, must embrace this balance between brain and heart to thrive.
Measuring Emotional Intelligence – Advanced Tools & Real-Time Feedback
In the modern workplace, emotional intelligence (EI) is no longer a “nice-to-have” trait. It is a business-critical competency. As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, HR and learning and development managers are increasingly turning their attention to data-driven ways to measure and develop EI within their teams.
Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence: The Competitive Edge for South African Organisations
In an increasingly complex, hybrid, and diverse working world, one skill consistently rises to the top: emotional intelligence. For leaders navigating today’s challenges, shifting work models, diverse teams, fast decision-making—technical knowledge is no longer enough. Emotional intelligence is what sets exceptional leaders apart from those who merely manage.