The added value of emotional intelligence in interim management

Emotional intelligence is a key management skill and a prerequisite for successful team management. This is particularly true in interim management. What exactly is this soft skill, and what role does it play in the interim management profession?  

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability of an individual to understand, manage and regulate his or her own emotions, and the capacity to take into consideration and welcome the emotions of others during social interactions. This form of intelligence is measured by the emotional quotient. It differs from rational intelligence, which is assessed using the intelligence quotient. In the professional context, emotional intelligence translates into a certain number of human qualities such as active listening, empathy, self-knowledge and stress management.  

Emotional intelligence, a key skill in interim management

Emotional intelligence is a real cornerstone in management professions. It is, indeed, an indispensable quality to be able to animate, federate and motivate teams efficiently, with a solid sense of leadership. This managerial skill is also key when handling delicate situations such as crisis management, conflict management or stress management. It is also what allows a manager to show humility, resilience, self-confidence and to be attentive to employee needs. Lastly, emotional intelligence is valuable for boosting team cohesion, commitment and collective motivation. It allows the creation of harmonious, balanced and respectful relationships within the company, which will directly promote employee well-being, the quality of life at work and productivity. For interim managers, emotional intelligence is even more important. Interim managers must be able to intervene in very different work environments, and deal with a wide variety of profiles and personalities. They must succeed in gaining the trust and respect of a team of employees, managers and executives in the space of a few weeks. In addition, the interim manager often has to contend with emergency and crisis situations and must demonstrate great resistance to stress in order to manage their mission effectively and with clarity. Emotional intelligence is essential for remaining steadfast, persevering in the face of challenges, succeeding in boosting collective performance, and overcoming resistance to change. A high emotional quotient is also a fundamental quality to enable the interim manager to implement new strategic orientations and to take difficult decisions that are essential for a company’s survival. This managerial expertise also makes it easier to communicate directives in a compassionate, empathetic and convincing way.  

What are the essential qualities of an interim manager?

The following qualities are essential to the profession of interim manager:

• Leadership skills
• Active listening skills
• Observation skills
• Empathy
• Benevolent communication
• Relational ease
• Charisma
• Self-confidence
• Adaptability
• Humility
• Open-mindedness
• Patience,
• Composure
• Organisation
• Pragmatism
• Agility
• Natural authority
• Honesty
• Authenticity
• Enthusiasm
• Audacity and the ability to take risks

 

Our interim managers’ expertise

At WAYDEN, we have a rich pool of 8,000 seasoned interim managers with a high level of emotional intelligence. All of them are selected on the basis of very strict criteria, and their managerial skills and expertise are validated beforehand using our Bureau Veritas Certification HR methodology. With 15 to 25 years of experience in high-level positions, these managers and executives know how to deal with complex situations and overcome major challenges thanks to their leadership qualities and unfailing interpersonal skills.