NRS 415 Explain what it means to be self-aware and describe why emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership Re: Topic 3 DQ 2 One of the five elements of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. Explain what it means to be self-aware  

“Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to manage both your own emotions and understand the emotions of people around you” (Mental Health America, n.d.). EI is essential in a career that both gives and requires extreme emotions from you. As nurses, we are subject to situations that are emotionally charged and require empathy and professionalism simultaneously. EI is an important tool and personality trait in this sector. It is true that we cannot control how others feel, what they say, or how they behave, but we can control how we respond. Self-awareness is possessing an understanding of ourselves that allows us to interact with an ever-changing patient population and the wave of behaviors and emotions that come with it, whilst remaining true to ourselves.

Describe why emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership. 

EI “…helps you successfully coach teams, manage stress, deliver feedback, and collaborate with others.” (Landry, 2019). Leaders set the expectations and tone of their organization and can either make it a supportive environment with an emphasis on employees who demonstrate EI, or it can be an environment overrun with criticism, de-valuing, and overlooked behaviors resulting in unhappy and resentful employees. EI asks leadership to communicate effectively and manage the emotions and behaviors of their staff and their own personal emotions and behaviors. EI and effective leadership go hand in hand.