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July 2, 2026

The role of emotional intelligence

By · Founder and CEO coach · 70 founders and CEOs coached across 15 countries

Hello there,

I hope you are doing great.

While technical skills and strategic vision are vital, it is emotional intelligence (EQ) that often sets great leaders apart. Through my varied leadership roles, I found that EQ enhances not only relationships but also decision-making, team dynamics, and resilience under pressure.

1. Practice Empathy

Listen actively and strive to understand your team members’ perspectives. This builds trust and fosters a supportive work culture.

2. Enhance Self-Regulation

Manage your own emotions to remain composed, even in challenging situations. Demonstrating calm under pressure inspires confidence.

3. Develop Social Skills

Good communication and relationship-building are key aspects of EQ. Invest in your ability to motivate, inspire, and mediate when needed.

Action Step: Reflect on a recent interaction where emotions were high. Consider how using empathy and self-regulation could have changed the outcome. Practice these skills, and observe the shift in team dynamics.

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About the author

Peter Sorgenfrei built 6 companies over 15 years. In February 2020 he burned out completely, and he rebuilt from there. Since then he has coached 70 founders and CEOs across 15 countries. His book, The Whole Human Leader, is published by Wiley.

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