A needle-moving newsletter for leaders who refuse to settle for average
Hey fellow Edge walker!
The fact that you're here reading this tells me everything I need to know about the kind of leader you are.
Let me start with a confession that might make you cringe, or maybe you'll see yourself in it.
For years, I was that leader who thought collecting certificates and completing courses was the secret sauce to exceptional leadership. I had the University Degrees, the leadership programs, hours of training, read all the books, the fancy frameworks. I could quote every management guru and recite best practices like scripture.
And I was absolutely failing my team.
It wasn't until a trusted colleague, bless him, finally got through to my thick skull with some feedback that changed everything.
He didn't sugarcoat it: "Liz, it's not all about you. You are not listening.”
Ouch!!!! But he was right.
I was showing up as the "experience and authority" leader, armed with all the right answers but missing the most important skill of all: emotional intelligence. I was so busy putting pressure on myself to be the smartest person in the room that I forgot to be the most human.
The Moment Everything Changed
The real wake-up call came when I realised I wasn't inspiring anyone—I was just managing them. My team performed because they had to, not because they wanted to. That's when I swallowed my pride and hired a professional leadership coach.
Here's what I discovered: Leadership isn't about what you know. It's about who you're being.
And who I was being? Let's just say it wasn't pretty. I was the leader who:
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Dismissed emotions as "drama"
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Prioritised being right over being effective
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Wore exhaustion like a badge of honor
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Thought vulnerability was weakness
Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.
The Skill That Changes Everything
Emotional intelligence isn't just another leadership buzzword, it's the difference between leaders who manage and leaders who INSPIRE. It's the skill that determines whether your team shows up because they have to or because they want to.
Here's the truth bomb: Your IQ got you to where you are. Your EQ will determine how far you go.
Daniel Goleman nailed it when he said, "No matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far without emotional intelligence." Your EQ literally defines your upper limit of success.
But here's what nobody talks about, the moment you realise you need to develop your emotional intelligence is also the moment you realise you've been the problem. And that's terrifying.
Suddenly, you're facing your team knowing you need to show up differently. You're trying to recreate yourself while everyone's watching. It's vulnerable, it's uncomfortable, and it's absolutely necessary.
The Real Work Begins
The shift from head-centred to heart-centred leadership isn't about becoming soft, it's about becoming effective. It's learning to regulate your emotions so you can be calm in the storm. It's asking for support professionally instead of wearing your stress like armor.
Both IQ and EQ are essential for exceptional leaders. The magic happens when you find the right balance between leading with your head AND your heart.
Your Turn: The Head vs. Heart Leadership Assessment
Ready to discover your natural leadership style?
Take this quick assessment from my "Leading from the Heart" framework:
Rate each statement from 1-5 (1=Never, 5=Always):
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When making decisions, I primarily rely on data and logic
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In team meetings, I focus more on achieving objectives than building relationships
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When giving feedback, I tend to be direct and focus on performance metrics
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My approach to conflict resolution is analysing problems and finding logical solutions
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When setting goals, I prioritise measurable outcomes and KPIs
Scoring:
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20-25: Strong head-centered leader
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15-19: Balanced approach
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5-14: Strong heart-centered leader
Want the complete assessment and discover how to master both head and heart leadership? Check out my full framework at liz-murray.mykajabi.com
Pay It Forward
Here's your challenge: Share this newsletter with one leader who needs to hear this message. The learning cycle isn't complete until we teach others what we've learned.
Better yet, have a conversation with someone on your team about emotional intelligence. Ask them: "How do you experience my leadership when I'm under pressure?" Then listen, really listen to their answer.
Remember: The highest performing leaders always pay it forward by sharing what they're learning.
Your greatest leadership tool isn't in your head, it's in your heart.
Until next time, lead authentically from within.
Liz
P.S. Hit reply and tell me what's your biggest emotional intelligence blind spot? I read every response, and your story might just inspire the next newsletter.
Ready to master the balance between head and heart leadership?
Check out my complete framework in my Be Exceptional The Leadership Edge online short course at liz-murray.mykajabi.com
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