“We’re not losing people because they can’t do the job. We’re losing them because it doesn’t feel good to do it here.”

Sound familiar?

The work gets done. Deadlines are met. Performance is solid on paper. But underneath? People are exhausted. Disengaged. Quietly looking elsewhere.

Let’s be real for a second.

Workplaces aren’t spreadsheets and Slack messages. They’re people. Emotions. Egos. Conversations that go well, and others that sting more than they should. And when you’re leading a team (especially in high-pressure places like law firms or consultancies), how you show up emotionally matters just as much as what you know.

So what is Emotional intelligence, really?

It’s not therapy. It’s not crying in meetings. It’s not being “nice” all the time. It’s knowing:

• When your stress is about to spill onto your team
• How to give feedback without crushing someone’s confidence
• When silence in the room means discomfort, not agreement
• How to ask someone if they’re okay — and mean it
  

Emotional intelligence is how we keep culture human.

What happens when Emotional intelligence is missing?

People stop being honest. Tensions simmer. Burnout spreads quietly.

Leaders don’t mean to create stress — but they don’t see the signs. Or they see them, and don’t feel equipped to respond.

We’ve seen it in firms where top performers struggle with people skills. In teams where vulnerability is quietly labelled as weakness. In leaders who “say the right things” about wellbeing, but send midnight emails anyway.

And we get it. Emotional Intelligence isn’t always taught — especially in fast-paced, high-achieving environments.

So how do we build Emotional Intelligence?

You don’t need to overhaul everything. But you do need to be intentional.

• Start with self-awareness (that’s the foundation).
• Train your managers to handle emotions — theirs and others’.
• Build psychological safety into everyday team rhythms.
• Have conversations that feel a little uncomfortable, but really matter.
  

If you’re not sure where to begin, our Free Burnout Risk Assessment is a great way to spot where emotional intelligence might be missing in your culture. And if you already know it’s a problem?
We can help with what comes next — tools, training, and support that goes beyond awareness.

Because at the end of the day…

People won’t always remember what you said. But they’ll never forget how you made them feel — especially at work.

So if your culture feels a little too cold, a little too quiet, or a little too burnt out… Maybe it’s time to make Emotional Intelligence (EQ) part of the conversation.