As artificial intelligence automates technical tasks, many professionals are asking what still sets top performers apart. The answer is increasingly emotional intelligence. In professional services, where trust, judgment, and relationships drive value, EQ is becoming more important than raw technical skill. Firms that once prioritized credentials and expertise are now investing in self-awareness, communication, and leadership capability. This shift isn’t theoretical—it’s operational. One firm putting emotional intelligence into daily practice is CLA.

Why EQ Now Matters More Than Technical Mastery

For decades, success in professional services depended on precision, speed, and technical excellence. AI is rapidly absorbing those functions, changing how value is created. What machines can’t replace is the human ability to build trust, manage tension, and navigate ambiguity. Emotional intelligence enables professionals to read situations, regulate reactions, and lead people through change. As client expectations evolve, these skills determine who advances. EQ has become the differentiator technology can’t replicate.

How CLA Treats Emotional Intelligence as a Core Skill

At CLA, emotional intelligence isn’t framed as a soft skill or leadership bonus. It’s embedded into career development from day one. With nearly 9,000 employees, the firm has built a scalable learning strategy that treats EQ as measurable and teachable. Training is designed to translate insight into daily behavior. Employees aren’t just learning concepts—they’re practicing them in real scenarios. This approach turns emotional intelligence into an operational advantage.

Challenging Your Story Builds Self-Awareness

One foundational concept at CLA is “Challenging Your Story,” a form of reality testing that separates facts from assumptions. Leaders are taught to pause and ask what they actually know before reacting. This practice helps reduce emotional escalation and misinterpretation. Over time, it builds a habit of reflection rather than reactivity. Employees learn to recognize their internal narratives as they form. That awareness carries into both work and personal life.

The LEAP Program Scales EQ Across Careers

To institutionalize EQ development, CLA created a four-year journey called LEAP: Learn, Experience, Achieve, and Propel. Early-career professionals begin with virtual learning that blends leadership, emotional intelligence, and digital agility. In the second year, participants move into in-person connection centers designed for deep, small-group learning. Using the EQ-i 2.0 framework, they explore self-perception, decision-making, stress management, and interpersonal relationships. The structure ensures emotional intelligence grows alongside technical skill.

Reinforcing EQ Through Practice and Habit

Sustaining emotional intelligence requires repetition, not one-time training. CLA’s “learn and return” philosophy reinforces key concepts over time. Visual reminder tools and shared language help employees apply EQ in daily moments. In later stages, emerging leaders learn advanced communication skills through structured dialogue and feedback frameworks. These sessions focus on navigating tension, leading change, and having difficult conversations. EQ becomes muscle memory, not theory.

Why Celebration and Connection Matter at Work

CLA also emphasizes the emotional dimension of success. Team-based activities and shared wins reinforce belonging and motivation. Leaders are encouraged to pause and celebrate progress rather than immediately moving on. This builds resilience and engagement across teams. Emotional intelligence isn’t just about managing conflict—it’s about recognizing effort and achievement. These moments shape culture more than policies ever could.

Emotional Intelligence Meets AI-Powered Leadership

Looking ahead, CLA is integrating AI directly into leadership development. Employees are taught to use AI as a thinking partner, not a replacement. Doing so requires self-awareness, clarity, and intentional communication—the same skills EQ training develops. As work becomes more automated, human judgment grows more visible. CLA’s approach reflects a broader shift in professional services. Technical skills open doors, but emotional intelligence determines who thrives.