Emotional intelligence (EQ) is often dismissed as a “soft skill,” but in reality, it’s one of the strongest predictors of leadership success. Leaders with high EQ build trust, influence decisions, and inspire stronger performance from their teams. What separates the most successful leaders is not just technical expertise—it’s the small, consistent EQ habits they practice every day. One of the most powerful habits is surprisingly simple: the emotional check-in.
Justin Wright, CEO of Polished Carbon, highlights one EQ habit that top leaders consistently practice: taking 10 seconds before important conversations to ask themselves, “What am I feeling right now, and is this the energy I want to bring into the room?” This quick check-in allows leaders to reset, regulate their emotions, and choose how they show up. Instead of carrying stress from one meeting into another, they create space for calm, intentional leadership. The result? Teams feel safer, open up more, and tackle issues collaboratively.
This EQ habit works because it interrupts the automatic cycle of facts, interpretations, reactions, and outcomes. Without self-awareness, leaders can let frustration or assumptions hijack a conversation. For example, spotting errors in a report may trigger irritation and lead to micromanaging—when the real issue is simply typos. By pausing for an emotional check-in, leaders can separate facts from interpretations, stay grounded, and respond with clarity rather than emotion. This builds trust and prevents unnecessary conflict.
The most successful leaders don’t leave their emotional impact to chance. By making emotional check-ins a regular habit, they show up consistently, strengthen relationships, and foster a culture of openness. The beauty of this EQ habit is that it requires no extra resources—just self-awareness and a short pause. Over time, it becomes a leadership superpower that sets high-performing leaders apart.
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