The EQ of Leadership

Leaders, this one is for you.

Please check your own feelings and be transparent about your struggles. As a leader, your attitude impacts everyone around you. When you are in an unacknowledged negative headspace, it wafts around you like Pigpen's dust (Charlie Brown's friend). That "dust" spreads and infects others or causes them to cower; either way, it doesn't create a positive work environment.

That doesn't mean that you can't have bad days. You can. Sometimes you have to call an audible. Try saying, "I'm kind of in a funk today but it has nothing to do with you. I am going to work from my office with the door closed until I gather myself" or some variation of the statement. That way your team sees that you too have bad days, that they didn't cause your ill attitude and that you are taking responsibility for managing your emotions.

I've been honest. This week - heck, all of January - has been rough. Behind closed doors, I've been dealing with a lot but I hope that by appropriately sharing my struggles AND still showing up professionally for my clients, I am showing my teams how to navigate tough times.

Are you transparent with your direct reports or peers? How do you handle stress? Share your thoughts so that I can learn from you.