Running an educational organization is not only about having management acumen. Great leaders are also expert communicators, team players and people who make others feel understood. High emotional intelligence is an irreplaceable skill for future leaders.
Thankfully, emotional intelligence is not only an innate skill; individuals can hone it with diligent practice. Undertaking a path of study like the St. Cloud State University online Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Administration and Leadership program equips students to lead with emotional intelligence. This program offers a well-rounded approach for tomorrow’s educational leaders and administrators.
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to identify and regulate our own emotions, to recognize the emotions of other people and feel empathy toward them, and to use these abilities to communicate effectively and build healthy, productive relationships with others.” Harvard’s findings point to the link between psychological well-being and physical health as well as the fact that emotional intelligence is an ability that can be learned.
The findings also note that emotional intelligence affects many parts of our lives, such as within romantic and familial relationships. People have distinct approaches to communicating their emotions, and some feel more comfortable with this task than others. When different types of people come together, such as in a school, it is even more crucial to have the skills to understand one another and adapt communication styles to produce a working environment conducive to success.
Practicing skills like self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, empathy and conflict management can all lead to improved emotional intelligence skills. Therefore, individuals with these skills often experience improved interpersonal relationships in and out of the workplace. As Harvard Health Publishing notes, emotional intelligence also can determine “whether we’re able to succeed in school and pursue meaningful work that gives us a sense of purpose.”
Why Emotional Intelligence Is Crucial for Effective Leadership
Increasingly, business leaders are recognizing a link between emotional intelligence and success in work environments like educational facilities. An article from Indeed explains, “Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence in the workplace can provide significant benefits and further develop your career, in addition to creating better relationships and promoting a positive work environment.”
Though emotional intelligence is a helpful skill in many different types of relationships, the article points out why it is vital to good working relationships. First, it allows individuals to understand and manage their own emotions so that they can communicate effectively, even during times of crisis and when experiencing high stress or negative emotions.
Emotional intelligence also allows people to better understand colleagues’ or employees’ emotional expressions and better communicate with them. This can make individuals much more empathetic coworkers, but it is also an indispensable skill for leaders.
Being able to empathize with and address emotions allows leaders to guide their teams through difficult situations. This creates an environment where people can hear others’ viewpoints, express their concerns and find solutions. Emotionally intelligent leaders also hold a unique power: they can model successful interpersonal behaviors to their team and encourage a more positive, caring workplace culture within schools.
Educational Leadership Degree: What Is Educational Administration?
Educational administration includes several popular career options, such as private or public school principal, educational department director and school superintendent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that there were more than 200,000 jobs in postsecondary education administration alone in 2023, and the field is expected to grow by 3% through 2033.
Holding an advanced degree in educational administration and leadership is a great way to increase job prospects in this rewarding field. St. Cloud State University’s online M.S. in Educational Administration and Leadership program offers a diverse range of courses to give students a breadth and depth of knowledge to prepare them for these roles.
For example, students in St. Cloud State University’s online program study topics like diversity leadership, school law, finance, personnel administration and educational research. Courses like Introduction to School-Community Relations specifically address the importance of communication when working with the public and various other stakeholders. Upon completing the program, graduates are well on their way to becoming flexible, empathetic leaders and administrators in PK-12 school environments.
Learn more about St. Cloud State University’s online M.S. in Educational Administration and Leadership program.
