This past year has been challenging for all of us in a variety of ways. Whether you side with those that believe lockdowns and restrictions are the best course for the greater good, or favor the side of less restrictions, and open economy and free will, there is no doubt that our emotional intelligence (our “EQ”) has played a part in how we have handled the past year and how we may intentionally navigate our feelings and actions going forward. Three elements of EQ include Self Awareness, Self Regulation and Social Awareness. Each is key to successful navigating this “return to normal” year.

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There are so many ways to apply great communication skills to being leader. When I downsized and became a solo entrepreneur, I had to be laser focused on who I had running beside me to be effective. For my right-hand hire, I needed somebody more organized than I am. That’s obvious. I have no interest in detail work. I fight organization every day. DISC helped me understand that I don’t want to have anything to do with organization. When I understood that, I began to make logical choices that compliment my style.

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Leaders know how to build companies, but there’s a lag time between the vision these leaders have and how to get everyone on the team to understand it. The journey of communication skills rests on the leader.

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It is critical for leaders and entrepreneurs to understand what makes you tick and be able to say it out loud. Knowing what makes you tick is at the heart of building the correct team around you for success.

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Interviewing is hard. Let’s be honest, the majority of people suck at it. This is a brief guide to helping you and your team with objective decision making. The adage “hire correctly or hire again” is true for a reason. Even if the need is urgent, hire slowly. Make careful, informed choices and don’t rush to a decision.

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What a season of learning we are in. There’s nothing like a total surprise out of left field to energize your actions. Many of us now find ourselves with a workforce that has been isolated from the office. As leaders, we likely had established at least what we thought was a routine and best practice in terms of leading our teams. And for many of us, that meant “managing by walking around,” or at least being able to call people into an office or a meeting for a face-to-face exchange. Subconsciously even, most learn to “read’ the non-verbal messaging between our team members and adjust accordingly. Absent our normal safety nets of shared space, routine meetings, and managing by walking around, how are you leading your team members during this season of remoteness?

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Many of us are now in the position to be on the hunt for new “cheese.” What we recently took for granted may have been turned upside down, reduced or even taken away completely. How we deal with this proverbial “writing on the wall” will inevitably create a lasting impact on our own happiness and satisfaction.

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What a wild ride we have been on. Even those of us who consider ourselves calm, cool, collective, poised and prepared have experienced a shock to our operating system as we have never seen before. It has been interesting observing and participating in the range of emotions most of us are going through. We all have different personality traits and are predisposed to respond to crisis in different ways. Thankfully, there is no absolute best behavior to model.

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Here is the good news. As an entrepreneur you signed up for this kind of life. You are built for this and are fully capable of getting through tough times.

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