Leaders are self aware

Self awareness can be a part of emotional intelligence. It is the ability to be aware of oneself, not just who you are and where you are. It is the ability to recognize and manage your emotions, your actions and reactions. It is your intuitive ability to perceive, assess, identify and modify your emotions. It includes the ability to interpret the emotions of a group.

Being self aware is not a new concept, it's been around since Darwin and probably before him. When you sense what is going on around and within you and can adjust in an appropriate manner, you are learning self awareness and emotional intelligence. Some people do not have the capacity do develop EI, it comes with certain hard wiring not everyone has.

When you sense the mood, tension or excitement of a group, you are learning how to develop your EI. Some leaders when they experience the shift in mood in a group are able to turn the focus back to where it needs to be, whether reining in a downward spiral or an overly rambunctious group. It is a skill and ability that is not easily found.

Leaders are self aware, some are more aware than others.