Empowered Women, Empowered Teams: The Heart of Leadership and Culture

Why Great Leaders Lead with Heart, Not Just Strategy.

A few months ago, I had a conversation with a CEO who was frustrated with her team.

She was brilliant—highly accomplished, incredibly strategic, and fiercely dedicated to the success of her company. But despite her expertise, something wasn’t clicking.

"Stephanie, I don’t understand. I’ve set clear goals. I’ve communicated the expectations. But my team still seems disengaged. They aren’t performing at the level I know they’re capable of."

She wasn’t just frustrated—she was exhausted. Working longer hours. Taking on more. Feeling like she was carrying the weight of the entire company.

So I asked her one simple question:

"How do you think your team feels when they walk into a meeting with you?"

She paused.

"What do you mean how they feel? This is business, not therapy."

And there it was—the missing link.

Leadership isn’t just about goals, strategy, or execution. It’s about influence, trust, and human connection.

Leading with Heart: The Leadership Superpower No One Talks About

We often think of leadership as logic, strategy, and execution. But the most successful leaders don’t just focus on results—they focus on people.

The research is clear: Leaders with high emotional intelligence (EQ) create better teams, retain their best employees, and drive higher engagement.
 

According to a study from the Harvard Business Review:

• Emotional intelligence is the number one predictor of leadership success—far more than IQ or technical skills.
  
• Leaders with high EQ experience higher productivity, lower turnover, and better team morale.
  
• Teams led by emotionally intelligent leaders report higher job satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
     

This is why leadership isn’t just about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being the most self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and deeply connected leader in the room.

The Five Pillars of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Daniel Goleman, the pioneer of emotional intelligence in leadership, defines EQ as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions—while also recognizing, understanding, and influencing the emotions of others.

Here’s how high-EQ leaders show up every day:

• Self-Awareness – They understand their emotions, triggers, and strengths. How am I showing up as a leader today?
  
• Self-Regulation – They stay calm under pressure and respond instead of reacting. Pause before reacting—E+R=O! Event + Response = Outcome.
  
• Motivation – They are internally driven, resilient, and adaptable.
  
• Empathy – They genuinely understand and value the emotions of their team. People don’t leave jobs—they leave managers who don’t listen.
  
• Social Skills – They communicate with clarity, resolve conflict effectively, and create trust.
  

The CEO’s Emotional Intelligence Awakening: A Real-World Story

Let’s go back to my client.

After that initial conversation, we worked together for six months, focusing on emotional intelligence as her leadership foundation.

She learned how to:

• Pause before reacting and create space for thoughtful leadership.
  
• Listen to understand instead of just listening to reply.
  
• Lead with trust instead of control—giving her team ownership and autonomy.
  

What happened?

• Her team started speaking up. They felt safe bringing solutions to the table instead of just executing orders.
  
• Engagement skyrocketed. The tension in meetings disappeared. Team morale went up.
  
• She started working less, but achieving more. She didn’t have to carry the entire company alone anymore.  

Because when you lead with emotional intelligence, everything changes.

How to Strengthen Your Emotional Intelligence as a Leader

1. Pause Before You React (E+R=O Formula)
Your response determines the outcome. Instead of reacting immediately, take a breath, assess the situation, and choose a thoughtful response.

Try This: Next time you feel triggered in a leadership situation, pause. Ask yourself:

• What is really happening here?
  
• How do I want to show up in this moment?
  

2. Master the Art of Listening (Listen to Understand, Not Just Respond)
Emotionally intelligent leaders listen deeply—not just to reply, but to understand.

Try This: In your next conversation, practice deep listening:

• Make eye contact, put down distractions, and reflect back what you hear.
  
• Use the phrase: “What I’m hearing is… does that sound right?”
  

3. Foster a Culture of Emotional Intelligence in Your Team
When leaders model emotional intelligence, it spreads. A culture of self-awareness, accountability, and empathy leads to happier, higher-performing teams.

Try This: In your next leadership meeting, encourage an open discussion on emotional intelligence and team communication. Ask:

• What are some ways we can better communicate and support each other?
  
• How can we create a culture of trust and feedback?
  

The Future of Leadership: Leading with Heart & Intelligence

Emotional intelligence isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the key to building strong, resilient, and high-performing teams.

Leaders who master EQ:

• Retain their best people because employees feel valued and heard.
  
• Foster innovation because people feel safe to share ideas.
  
• Drive business success because engaged teams perform at their highest level.
  

So the question isn’t: “How can I be the smartest person in the room?”

It’s: “How can I be the most emotionally intelligent?”

Because in today’s world, the best leaders aren’t just strategic thinkers—they are self-aware, compassionate, and deeply connected to their teams.

And that is the real leadership superpower.

From My Heart to Yours

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, being present, and leading with heart, courage, and clarity. Emotional intelligence isn’t just a skill—it’s a commitment to self-awareness, connection, and conscious leadership.

The most powerful leaders aren’t the ones who strive for perfection; they are the ones who are willing to grow, evolve, and lead with intention.

So, as you step into your next leadership challenge, ask yourself: Am I reacting, or am I responding with wisdom? Am I leading from fear, or from purpose? Am I creating a culture of trust, or of tension?

The choice is always yours. And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.

Let’s build something extraordinary together.

With gratitude,

Here’s How We Can Work Together

Let’s talk. Book a complimentary discovery call to explore how we can elevate your leadership and create a workplace where people love to show up.

Stephanie Strozak, MA, SHRM-SCP, CEC is a visionary, speaker, transformational leadership coach, workplace culture expert, and the founder of Happiness On Purpose. With an extensive background in human resources, organizational development, and a degree in positive psychology, she specializes in empowering CEOs and executive teams to elevate their leadership, strengthen culture, and build engaged workplaces. Stephanie empowers leaders to lead with confidence, emotional intelligence, and purpose—because leadership isn’t just about business, it’s about people.